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mommysoon · Jan 10, 2008, 10:54 AM

Okay, I went to the dr. yesterday 1/9/08, my hcg level was over 18,000 [ like 18,215]
Or higher, can't remember, anyway, we're not sure how far along I am, can anyone help?
Please?:)

buggage · Jan 10, 2008, 10:59 AM

Levels can very greatly, but I would guess about 13 - 16 weeks LMP( 13,300 - 254,000 mIU/ml)

mommysoon · Jan 10, 2008, 11:02 AM

* thank you. My dr. first suggested I was around 4 1/2 weeks on the
3rd. And then yesterday I had an hcg test and it was over 18,000
And he is suggesting I'm around 5 weeks. But I've read a lot of charts
On the internet that all say 6 weeks, so I'm very confused.

J_9 · Jan 10, 2008, 11:05 AM

Here is the scale taken from Davis's Comprehensive Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests with Nursing Implications

Less than 1 week pregnant = 5-50 mlU/mL
2 weeks = 50 - 500 mlU/mL
3 weeks 100 - 10,000 mlU/mL
4 weeks 1,000 - 30,000 mlU/mL
5 weeks 3,500 - 115,000 mlU/mL
6 - 8 weeks 12,000 - 270,000 mlU/mL
12 weeks 15,000 - 220,000 mlU/mL

So, in essence you could be anywhere from 4 weeks on up past 12 weeks.

When was your LMP?

mommysoon · Jan 10, 2008, 11:21 AM

My lmp was November 25.

J_9 · Jan 10, 2008, 11:27 AM

Let's see... So your due date is August 18, or right thereabout.

Do you have a regular 28 day cycle?

mommysoon · Jan 10, 2008, 11:28 AM

Well see the dr. said yesterday my due date is
Around September 15? So I have no clue.
I'm only 17 and between me & my fiancé
We're going crazy trying to understand everything.

J_9 · Jan 10, 2008, 11:37 AM

Interesting that the doctor says you are a month further along, except I am mistaken, LOL. I calculated your due date by using something called Nagele's Rule. With that you take the first date of your last period (11/25) and subtract 3 months, that gives you August, and add 7 days, that gives you the number 32. Sooo... since August only has 31 days, that would actually give you a due date of September 1, 2008.

Now, please understand that I am doing this off the top of my head as I don't have my "wheel" with me. So, if you have regular 28 day cycles, it means you conceived anywhere around December 7 and December 11, putting you at a little over 4 weeks.

mommysoon · Jan 10, 2008, 11:39 AM

Well you have given me more information
Then my dr. so I can't thank you enough.
And he says he won't give me an ultra sound
Until next month, so apperantly we will just
Stay confused until then, lol.

J_9 · Jan 10, 2008, 11:46 AM

At this point in time an ultrasound is actually pretty useless as they may or may not see anything at all.

Next month they will be looking for a heartbeat, and then another ultrasound will not be done again until around the 20th week.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. As a nurse it is one of my duties to teach the patients.

mommysoon · Jan 10, 2008, 12:06 PM

Thank you..
When are they usually able
To hear the baby's heartbeat?

buggage · Jan 10, 2008, 12:11 PM

10-12 weeks is usually when you can begin to hear it on a modern dopler.. though its also not uncommon to not be able to hear it before 12 weeks.

J_9 · Jan 10, 2008, 12:54 PM

Yes, you will be able to hear the heartbeat on modern doppler around 10 - 12 weeks, however, it can be seen on ultrasound around 5 - 6 weeks.

mommysoon · Jan 11, 2008, 03:16 PM

Ohh, okay that's what I thought that you could hear it around 6 weeks.

J_9 · Jan 11, 2008, 03:20 PM

Actually, you can SEE it around 6 weeks on ultrasound. You can HEAR it around 10 - 12 weeks.