What Is an hCG Chart and How to Read It: A Medical Guide
Got your beta hCG test results? This E-E-A-T guide explains 'normal' hCG levels by week, and why the doubling rate is the only number that matters in early pregnancy.
After a positive home pregnancy test, your doctor will likely confirm the pregnancy with a quantitative blood test. This test measures the exact amount of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your blood.
For many, this is the first time they encounter this term. Within hours, you're sent to a patient portal or given a lab report with a single number on it—a number that is supposed to confirm your pregnancy. This often leads to a frantic search for "normal hCG levels" and "what does my number mean?"
This period of early pregnancy monitoring is often called "beta hell." You are analyzing charts, comparing your numbers to others, and living in a state of anxiety between blood draws.
This educational guide will break down what an hCG chart really is, how to read it, and explain the single most important factor that doctors actually look for (hint: it's not the number itself).
Crucial YMYL/E-E-A-T Note: This article is for educational purposes only. hCG levels are highly individual. A single hCG number means nothing without context. Never use a chart to self-diagnose a viable or non-viable pregnancy. Always speak to your doctor or obstetrician to interpret your personal results.
Table of Contents
- Part 1: What Is hCG and Why Do We Measure It?
- Part 2: The Most Important Metric — The "Doubling Time"
- Part 3: How to Read a "Normal" hCG Chart (by Week from LMP)
- Part 4: The hCG Plateau — Why It Stops Doubling
- Part 5: Interpreting "Low" or "High" hCG Levels (YMYL)
- Part 6: How to Calculate Your Doubling Time
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Part 1: What Is hCG and Why Do We Measure It?
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is often called "the pregnancy hormone."
It is produced by the cells that form the placenta (the trophoblast) after the fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall. This implantation typically happens between 6 and 12 days past ovulation (DPO).
hCG has one critical job in early pregnancy: it acts as a signal to the body to keep producing progesterone. Progesterone maintains the uterine lining, preventing menstruation and protecting the new pregnancy.
This is the hormone that both home urine tests and quantitative blood tests detect.
Part 2: The Most Important Metric — The "Doubling Time"
Here is the single most important concept to understand: Your first hCG number is just a baseline. It means almost nothing on its own.
The critical metric that doctors monitor for pregnancy viability is the doubling time—the rate at which your hCG level is rising.
In a healthy, viable pregnancy, hCG levels should roughly double every 48 to 72 hours (2-3 days) during the first few weeks.
Why a Single Number is Not Enough
- A "low" number (e.g., 25 mIU/mL) could be perfectly normal for a very early pregnancy (e.g., 10 DPO).
- A "high" number (e.g., 500 mIU/mL) could be perfectly normal for a pregnancy at 5 weeks.
- The only way to know if the pregnancy is progressing is to get a second blood test (a "repeat beta") 48-72 hours after the first.
If your level was 100 on Monday, your doctor wants to see it rise to around 200 by Wednesday. A rising number is the strongest indicator of a developing pregnancy.
Part 3: How to Read a "Normal" hCG Chart (by Week from LMP)
An hCG chart shows the vast range of "normal" hCG levels at different stages of pregnancy. These weeks are measured from the first day of your Last Menstrual Period (LMP).
Notice how incredibly wide these ranges are. A woman at 5 weeks could have a level of 18 or 7,000 and both could be perfectly normal, as long as they are doubling appropriately.
| Weeks from Last Menstrual Period (LMP) | Typical hCG Level Range (mIU/mL) |
|---|---|
| 3 Weeks | 5 – 50 mIU/mL |
| 4 Weeks | 5 – 426 mIU/mL |
| 5 Weeks | 18 – 7,340 mIU/mL |
| 6 Weeks | 1,080 – 56,500 mIU/mL |
| 7–8 Weeks | 7,650 – 229,000 mIU/mL |
| 9–12 Weeks | 25,700 – 288,000 mIU/mL |
| 13–16 Weeks | 13,300 – 254,000 mIU/mL |
| 17–24 Weeks | 4,060 – 165,400 mIU/mL |
| 25–40 Weeks | 3,640 – 117,000 mIU/mL |
Source: American Pregnancy Association. Note that ranges vary slightly between labs.
Part 4: The hCG Plateau — Why It Stops Doubling
You will notice in the chart that the hCG levels peak around 9-12 weeks and then begin to decline and level off for the rest of the pregnancy.
This is normal and expected.
Around 10-12 weeks, the placenta has fully formed and takes over the job of producing progesterone itself. The initial "emergency signal" of hCG is no longer needed, so its levels naturally fall and plateau. This is why first-trimester symptoms like nausea (which are linked to rising hCG) often subside as you enter the second trimester.
Part 5: Interpreting "Low" or "High" hCG Levels (YMYL)
Seeing your number at the very bottom or very top of the range can be scary, but it's important to know what these numbers may indicate. This is medical information that only your doctor can interpret for you.
Potential Reasons for "Low" or "Slow-Rising" hCG
- Miscalculated Gestational Age (Most Common): You may simply be less pregnant than you thought. If you ovulated on Day 20 instead of Day 14, your hCG levels will appear "low" for your LMP date, but are perfectly normal for your ovulation date.
- Blighted Ovum: The embryo fails to develop, but the placenta continues to grow for a short time, producing low or slow-rising hCG.
- Impending Miscarriage: hCG levels that are falling, or rising too slowly (e.g., only 20% in 48 hours), can be a sign of a non-viable pregnancy.
- Ectopic Pregnancy: This is a dangerous condition where the embryo implants outside the uterus (usually in the fallopian tube). An ectopic pregnancy often produces hCG, but at a much slower, irregular rate. This is why slow-rising hCG is monitored so closely.
Potential Reasons for "High" hCG Levels
- Miscalculated Gestational Age (Most Common): You may be further along than you thought.
- Multiple Pregnancy (Twins, Triplets): Each placenta produces hCG, so a multiple pregnancy will often (but not always) show significantly higher and faster-rising numbers.
- Molar Pregnancy: A rare complication where abnormal tissue grows instead of an embryo. This condition produces extremely high hCG levels very quickly.
Part 6: How to Calculate Your Doubling Time
While you wait for your next doctor's appointment, you can use a calculator to see if your numbers are on track. This can provide reassurance or help you form questions for your provider.
To do this, you need two quantitative blood test results and the dates they were taken.
Your Next Step: Check Your Doubling Time
Stop the guesswork. Enter your two consecutive beta hCG test results into our hCG Doubling Calculator to see your exact doubling time and compare it to the standard medical guidelines for a viable pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a "good" first hCG level? A: There is no such thing. A "good" level is any level that is above 5 mIU/mL (confirming pregnancy) and subsequently doubles appropriately. A level of 25 at 10 DPO is just as "good" as a level of 200 at 12 DPO, as they both fall within the normal range and are likely on a healthy doubling track.
Q: When is an hCG level high enough to see a baby on ultrasound? A: This is a key milestone. A gestational sac (the small fluid sac surrounding the embryo) should typically be visible on a transvaginal ultrasound once hCG levels reach 1,500 - 2,000 mIU/mL. If your levels are above 2,000 and a sac is not seen in the uterus, your doctor will immediately investigate for a possible ectopic pregnancy. A heartbeat is typically seen later, when hCG is over 5,000-10,000.
Q: Can a home pregnancy test tell me if my hCG is doubling? A: No, and this is a major source of anxiety. You cannot track your doubling time by re-testing on home urine tests. While a line may get darker (the "line progression"), it is not a quantitative test. The darkness of the line is affected by your urine concentration (how hydrated you are), the dye in the test, and the "hook effect" (where very high hCG levels can actually make a test look lighter). Do not rely on urine tests for this purpose.
Q: My hCG is doubling every 80 hours. Is that bad? A: Not necessarily. While 48-72 hours is the "textbook" average, doubling can slow down as the numbers get higher. Once hCG levels pass 6,000 mIU/mL, the doubling time can slow to 96 hours (4 days) or more, and this is still considered normal.
Medical Disclaimer
The information in this article, including the hCG chart, is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. hCG ranges vary widely between individuals and labs. Only your physician or qualified healthcare provider can interpret your blood test results and provide a diagnosis.
About the Author
Abhilasha Mishra is a health and wellness writer specializing in women's health, fertility, and pregnancy. With a passion for empowering individuals through evidence-based information, she writes to make complex health topics accessible and actionable.