HCG levels twins: What to expect
There are many things to think about when you become pregnant, and possibly even more when you’re expecting twins! One thing you may wonder about is what to expect from HCG levels with twins. In this article, we’re telling you all about HCG levels twins.
This article includes:
- What is HCG?
- How soon is HCG detected on a pregnancy test?
- How is HCG tested?
- What happens to HCG levels in twin pregnancies?
- What are normal HCG levels for twins?
- High HCG level twins
- Low HCG level twins
- Twin pregnancy symptoms
- What to do when you find out you’re pregnant
- Finding out you’re pregnant with twins
What is HCG?
HCG is a shortening of human chorionic gonadotropin. This is a hormone produced during pregnancy and is responsible for letting you know that you are expecting.
HCG is produced by the placenta, which provides your baby with essential nutrients while you are pregnant. The hormone starts to increase when the baby attaches itself to the uterine wall.
HCG is the hormone that pregnancy tests look for. When you see a positive result, it means there is a significant level of HCG in your urine test sample.
If you suspect you are pregnant, you should take a home pregnancy test. This is the most accurate way to confirm pregnancy at home.
How soon is HCG detected on a pregnancy test?
The most common reason for people taking a pregnancy test is a missed period. However, there may be other pregnancy symptoms that you notice.
HCG can usually be detected on a pregnancy test on around days 12 – 15 of a 28-day cycle. The pregnancy hormone, HCG, rises very quickly, doubling every few days. As your pregnancy progresses, HCG hormone production will slow down. This is usually around week 10.
Some women suspect pregnancy and then receive a negative result. If this happens, you may not be pregnant, or you may still have low levels of HCG. You could try taking another test after a few days have passed.
How is HCG tested?
HCG can be tested through a HCG blood test completed by a healthcare professional. Despite being able to recognise HCG in urine, a pregnancy test cannot tell you how much you have. Pregnancy tests will only detect a certain level of HCG in the urine.
HCG levels can be used to identify your pregnancy week. They may also provide insight into the risks of other complications. HCG testing is fairly accurate but not 100%.
Speak to a doctor if you’re worried about your HCG levels; they may be able to offer blood tests. They will be able to provide you with the most valuable advice.
What happens to HCG levels in twin pregnancies?
So, it’s totally expected that your HCG levels will rise rapidly during pregnancy. But what happens to HCG levels with twins?
When you have twin or multiple pregnancies, your HCG levels may rise even faster. This means you may experience other pregnancy symptoms more intensely. You might want to look into how to have twins naturally and what the chances are.
What are normal HCG levels for twins?
There is no normal range of HCG levels during pregnancy. Everybody is different, and your HCG level varies based on a range of factors. If you are expecting twins, your HCG levels will likely be higher than in a single pregnancy.
HCG levels are measured using MIU/ML, which means milli-international units per millilitre. A singleton pregnancy HCG range typically reaches between 25,700 and 288,000 MIU/ML at the 9 – 12 week mark. A pregnancy with twins may display higher levels than this at the same stage. You can find a HCG levels chart online.
High HCG levels twins
High HCG levels don’t always mean that you’re pregnant with twins; however, they can be an indication. A professional ultrasound scan is the only way to confirm a multiple pregnancy.
A higher HCG level may be a sign that you’re further along in the pregnancy than you thought. Fetal growth scans at the hospital can help professionals to provide you with more accurate pregnancy dates.
Low HCG levels twins
Lower HCG levels may not always be anything to worry about. Typically, with twin pregnancies, your HCG will be higher. As long as your HCG levels are rising, there is usually no reason to worry.
In some cases, low HCG levels can be an indication of miscarriage. A miscarriage is a loss of a baby within the first 23 weeks of pregnancy. They are usually not caused by anything you have done wrong.
If a miscarriage is suspected, you will have tests at the hospital. They will also complete an ultrasound examination. Depending on your pregnancy week, you may have a transvaginal ultrasound scan. You will receive lots of advice and support from all of the healthcare providers. They will take care of you.
Lower HCG levels can also be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when a fertilised egg doesn’t reach the uterine wall. It is common for this to occur when the egg is in the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancies are serious and should be seen by a healthcare professional if suspected.
Twin pregnancy symptoms
Of course, your HCG levels may be higher with twins, but you probably won’t know this until your first midwife appointment. There are lots of twin pregnancy symptoms that you can look out for. The symptoms are similar to a single pregnancy but felt more intensely.
Missed period
This is usually the first sign people look out for. Some women have irregular periods, which can make it quite difficult to recognise patterns in the menstrual cycle.
Feeling more tired than usual
Even right at the beginning of pregnancy, your body is going through a lot. This means that you can expect to feel more tired than normal. For some women, this can improve as they enter the second trimester.
Experiencing cramps
Cramping in early pregnancy is quite common. This usually occurs as the fertilised eggs implant themselves into the uterine wall. There is currently not a lot of space for the eggs to grow, which means you can likely feel more. In a twin pregnancy, your cramps may last longer and cause more discomfort.
Experiencing spotting
Some light spotting can occur in any pregnancy, but it may be more common in twin pregnancies. We know spotting can be worrying, but it doesn’t always mean something is wrong.
The best advice is to speak to your doctor and midwife. They will be able to assess your symptoms and provide testing if necessary.
Bigger bump
Everyone’s bumps grow at different rates, and it can take a while to feel like you’ve got one. With a twin pregnancy, your bump may grow bigger faster. This is quite simply because you’re carrying more than just one baby.
You may also experience these early pregnancy symptoms with twins:
- Breast tenderness
- Increased need for the toilet
- Feeling more hungry
- Experiencing worse morning sickness
Keep a note of your twin pregnancy symptoms, as these may be useful for the future. Your midwife may also ask about them, and it’ll be easier to recall them if they are written down. The only way to know for sure that you are pregnant with twins is during an ultrasound scan.
You can read about signs of having twins at 5 weeks pregnant on our website.
What to do when you find out you’re pregnant
When you first find out that you are pregnant, you should make an appointment with a doctor. They can pass on your details so that you can receive care throughout your pregnancy.
You will likely be invited for a midwife appointment before your first scan. The first scan is typically around the 12-week mark. In the first appointment, your midwife will ask questions about your health and history.
They will also perform a blood test. This is to check your general health and for other conditions. Your HCG levels may also be tested with this blood sample.
Finding out you’re pregnant with twins
The results from a human chorionic gonadotropin test may indicate that you are pregnant with twins. This is because the HCG values may be higher than in singleton pregnancies. However, twin pregnancies are confirmed during the first ultrasound scan.
Your midwife will be able to assess the scan and tell you what type of twins you are having. There are various types of twins, including:
- Dizygotic twins (fraternal twins)
- Monozygotic twins can include: Monochorionic twins and Monochorionic monoamniotic twins (sharing the same placenta and gestational sac)
- Di di twins
- Mirror twins – there is no test for this
Identifying which type of twins you are having allows you to find out whether your twins will be identical or non-identical. This is such an exciting time for you!
You may be offered more frequent midwife appointments based on the type of twins you’re having. This is so that any risks can be identified quickly during your pregnancy. The doctors and midwives will be able to provide tests and advice. Preterm delivery can be common in twin and multiple pregnancies, so doctors will be checking for the signs. This may involve planning for a c-section with twins.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy, and we hope you know more about HCG levels with twins.
Hey there, I’m Abigail!
In 2022, I graduated with a First Class Degree in Marketing and since then, I have been working as a blogger and Marketing Assistant. Before heading to university, I also achieved a BTEC in Children’s Play, Learning and Development.
I have been blogging for over four years and have covered many topics during this time. My focus has been on pregnancy, babies, sleep and baby name ideas.
I am passionate about learning new things and helping others. I hope that you find my blogs useful and informative. See you in the next article!