can low progesterone (4.5) and high hcg (3,920) result in ectopic?

Question

I am either 3 or 6 weeks pregnant. My two last periods began on 11/29 and 11/5. I tested neg for preganacy on 11/28 and had bleeding on 11/29. An ovulation test showed that I ovulated on 12/5 and I got a positive pregnancy test on 12/11, only 6 days after ovulation/conception. A blood test on 12/14 came back with low progesterone (4.5) and high hcg 3,920. My doctor won't supplement with progesterone until after an ultrasound incase the pregnancy is ectopic, but won't do an ultrasound till friday or it will be too early. I am hoping the high hcg is indicitive of a healthy pregnancy. Does anyone know what all this means?

Answer 1

Having hcG that was all over the map in subsequent tests could be from an ectopic pregnancy. High hcG can come from multiples!

I would do more research on looking into the low progesterone. I know that can cause miscarriage and you don't want a doctor running your risk higher for miscarriage just because she/he is worried about an ectopic. If they are that worried about the ectopic, get you in for an ultrasound ASAP so they can determine the right course of action. If it's ectopic, you likely won't get symptoms from that until later, so prescribing progesterone on the 14th would have been OK.

The hcG number sounds about right for a Dec 5 conception. Levels of hcG roughly double every day during early pregnancy and this would be right for today, but high from last Friday.

good luck! (and I sincerely hope that it isn't ectopic...)

Answer 2

The HCG is a good sign. A low progesterone does not mean she is miscarrying, but it could put her at risk. A lot also depends on what they saw on the ultrasound, if they have done one. If there's no cardiac activity by now, that's a bad sign even with a high HCG. In that case, progesterone isn't going to help. If there's a heartbeat, then progesterone tablets can help to sustain the pregnancy. Ask your doctor! Good luck.