Confusing HCG
I’m extremely confused by my beta HCG progression and would really appreciate insight from anyone who has experienced something similar.
I’m currently about 17 DPO / 4w5d pregnant after 3 previous losses. I also had a failed IVF cycle in the past, so I’m very anxious about this pregnancy.
Here are my betas, all approximately 48h apart:
24 (done at a different lab)
30
401
266
Important detail:
The 30 and 401 were done through my fertility clinic, but the samples were sent out to the same outside laboratory for processing.
The 266 was done directly at that exact same laboratory.
So technically this looks like a drop from 401 → 266 in 48 hours, which obviously scared me badly.
BUT my home urine tests have continued getting darker every single day, and the progression actually looks more exponential over the last few days rather than plateauing or fading.
I know urine tests are not quantitative and depend on concentration, but visually they do not look like they belong to a falling HCG situation.
I’m not bleeding and I’m not having severe cramps. My symptoms are still evolving (less cramping/back pain, but nausea is starting).
Has anyone had:
inconsistent betas like this,
possible lab/sample handling issues,
or urine tests continuing to darken despite an apparent drop in serum HCG?
I’m planning to repeat another beta in the same lab to see if there is a real trend.
Ps.: I live in Nigeria 🇳🇬 (Africa)