UPDATE: Betas: Don't pull punches

[karinothing]

I have no real clue, but I was under the impression that one beta isn't too promising, what really matters is whether it doubles (but I don't know how long it takes to double).

ETA: I am sorry, I hope everything is okay.

[sewpinkgal]

They should be testing again in a couple days, not a week. How far along are you? My numbers were on the low end and it had me all freaked out (esp combined with spotting starting at 5wks), but they doubled like they should. I really hope they keep coming up.

[MamaMaui24]

Is there a reason they tested betas in the first place? (Sorry, I don't know your getting pregnant history).

[OscarQ]

They need to test you again in a couple days to see the rate of change. Of course, my glimmer of hope story is that my numbers with my son were low and the doubling time was wonky so anything is possible.

[pamela]

They need to do another draw 48 hours after the first for it to be meaningful. Call back and push for it. One draw means nothing other than at this moment, you are pregnant.

[egishere]

you definitely need to get another one and maybe on progesterone supps if that is low.

[hopecounts]

Like the others said, it's meaningless without a 2nd draw 48 hrs later. I've seen women on the IF board have betas like yours and go on to have perfectly healthy full term babies.

And the darkness on the wondfo means nothing so don't worry about that unless it stops showing positive.

[MamaMaui24]

FWIW, I never had any betas drawn at all.

[Brie]

Jun 7, 2012 15:07:45 GMT -5 @msstarry said:

Jun 7, 2012 14:33:56 GMT -5 jillbot5000 said:

I just used my last WondFo and the second line is half as dark as what it has been.

I can't even bring myself to pick up the phone to make the call to push.

Around 6-7 weeks when I was spotting my tests got lighter too. I was a wreck. I still don't know why that happened.

So it isn't necessarily a horrible sign.

Good luck. Hugs.

Plus, it's midday and your pee is diluted.

The lines on my tests were all over the place. And betas don't mean anything until you have two to compare.

[barefootcontessa]

You definitely need another draw. If you are absolutely certain of the dates, I will say that I had that kind of a number at 5 weeks, 6 days, and ended up miscarrying. While there is a wide range of normal, I was told my number should be at least a 1000. BUT you really another draw to know -- strange things happen, like maybe you implanted late. When I had my second draw two days later I was down to 100 something.

[barefootcontessa]

Jun 7, 2012 15:20:41 GMT -5 jillbot5000 said:

Jun 7, 2012 15:16:51 GMT -5 barefootcontessa said:

You definitely need another draw. If you are absolutely certain of the dates, I will say that I had that kind of a number at 5 weeks, 6 days, and ended up miscarrying. While there is a wide range of normal, I was told my number should be at least a 1000. BUT you really another draw to know -- strange things happen, like maybe you implanted late. When I had my second draw two days later I was down to 100 something.

So sorry you went through that.

May I ask how long it took to miscarry?

ETA: I received my first positive HPT at 9 DPO. So, if I ovulated later that would mean my positive happened at somewhere before that which seems impossible.

I started bleeding by the time of my second draw. I knew based on when I got my BFP that my betas should have been higher. Also at that time I started feeling better (I had been really sick and tired).

I am sorry for the stress you have. Like everyone said, you really need a second draw to make any conclusions. You might think about switching practices -- it does not sound like they are on the ball at all. Another beta draw is standard.

Good luck to you.

[barefootcontessa]

I saw your update. I am sorry the practice is being so insensitive and unhelpful.

One thing: if you start feeling pain on one side, it might be ectopic. My OB told me that my beta number (which was similar to yours at the same DPO) was in the range for an ectopic. Take care of yourself.

[Deleted]

Hugs, Jill. I hope everything is okay.

[badtzmaru22]

Ugh, that's frustrating. Keep us updated! Good luck!

[hedgiecrazy]

The progesterone seems low, did they give you a supplement? I'm so sorry your office is jerky, I hope they do another draw for you and all is well.

[Brie]

Jun 7, 2012 15:43:15 GMT -5 jillbot5000 said:

Jun 7, 2012 15:40:23 GMT -5 barefootcontessa said:

I saw your update. I am sorry the practice is being so insensitive and unhelpful.

One thing: if you start feeling pain on one side, it might be ectopic. My OB told me that my beta number (which was similar to yours at the same DPO) was in the range for an ectopic. Take care of yourself.

Thanks. If I take this prometrium, this is just going to drag it out most likely, huh?

Nope, not in my experience. I was on Prometrium starting at 3DPO and still had a miscarriage.

[Brie]

Jun 7, 2012 16:05:22 GMT -5 jillbot5000 said:

Jun 7, 2012 16:00:42 GMT -5 @fivedogs said:

Not necessarily. It can't hurt to take it. If your pregnancy is borderline, having a progesterone level of 2 can't help, so take the prometrium (they probably Rx'ed it vaginally, which prevents it from being metabolized by the liver before it gets to where it needs to go - if not, call and ask them why not). If your pregnancy is not viable (hopefully not), you'll find that out via betas and ultrasounds and can stop the prometrium then.

The beta is supposed to double every 48-72 hours in early pregnancy, then it plateaus. So don't get a beta 24 hours later, but 48-72 is fine.

Some people have very low betas and some people have very high ones. Search "low beta HCG levels" and you'll see a huge number of people on a million baby boards asking the same thing. It could be fine, and I hope it is. Good luck, and call your doctor if you start to have any pain.

Thank you so much for this info. I am almost certain on the phone she said would be a pill. My husband is picking up now. And of course, their office is now closed.

This is why I came out so early on this board. I don't know what I'd do without you guys.

Chiming in again--Prometrium is a pill, but you can use it orally or vaginally. Mine was Rxed orally but the doc okayed it vaginally as well. I really preferred taking it vaginally--the discharge was gross, and kind of disconcerting, but I literally felt completely drunk taking it orally.

[ejpint]

I hope everything is okay!
I also felt crazy taking prometrium orally - I actually drove on the wrong side of the road. Drunk is a good description.

[brit1017]

Where are you in the NYC area? I know a great practice in Brooklyn.

[Brie]

Jun 7, 2012 16:44:15 GMT -5 jillbot5000 said:

Jun 7, 2012 16:31:50 GMT -5 ejpint said:

I hope everything is okay!
I also felt crazy taking prometrium orally - I actually drove on the wrong side of the road. Drunk is a good description.

Oh goodie. Sounds like the fun just keeps going!

It actually is kind of a fun feeling--I felt exactly like I was happily buzzed from drinking. Unfortunately, it was not conducive to safe driving or productive working.

I had zero side effects taking it vaginally, though.

[curbsideprophet]

I agree that one beta does not tell you much and that your progesterone sounds low. Most places do not take betas or test your progesterone unless you have a history of m/c or you are seeing an RE. Without knowing your history, the fact that they were not going to test your progesterone does not seem that odd to me.

I hope everything turns out okay.

[KaraOrNot]

I hope everything is ok.

[drloretta]

I would have killed for a 424 beta. Mine were, at most 100. And I'll echo the others that a second draw will give you a much better idea than a single number. It can be all over the place and still lead to a successful pregnancy.

Go with the prometrium and keep us posted. Crossing everything for you.

[Jem]

Jun 7, 2012 22:05:47 GMT -5 jillbot5000 said:

Jun 7, 2012 16:35:09 GMT -5 brit1017 said:

Where are you in the NYC area? I know a great practice in Brooklyn.

Live in Hoboken, work in Manhattan. Brooklyn seems hard....but thank you!

Would 72nd and Columbus be too far for you? I really liked my OB, never felt rushed, and all the nurses were super sweet.

[lmb5109]

So sorry Jill! But like others said, you need another beta test to see the #'s. A week is too late. Good thing you see the true colors of your OB now!

[Deleted]

Jun 8, 2012 10:22:03 GMT -5 jillbot5000 said:

Will pick some of your brains later about recommendations.

In the meantime I called my PCP. They will see me at 2. Thank you all!

Good luck!

[bronxgirl]

Jun 7, 2012 14:13:24 GMT -5 jillbot5000 said:

Who likes their OBGYN in the NYC area?

.

If you're in or near lower Westchester I can recommend my OB. He's great.