Pregnancy hormone testing

Hormonal testing during pregnancy is mandatory and is usually carried out as soon as the pregnant woman registers at the antenatal clinic.

Also, a repeat analysis may be prescribed in the following cases:

• There is a high probability of miscarriage. Especially if there have been miscarriages in the anamnesis, persistent menstrual cycle disorders (the reason for this is the low level of female sex hormones in the body).
• Risk of miscarriage or partial placental abruption in early pregnancy (5-12 weeks of pregnancy). In such a situation, the hCG test should be taken at least twice a week.
• High probability of genetic abnormalities in the future child. If a genetic abnormality is suspected, three tests are prescribed - for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), hCG and for the level of estriol. These tests make it possible to obtain the most reliable result.

Before taking a hormone test, you must not eat anything fatty or sweet in the morning, 12 hours before giving blood. The day before, any kind of stress, sex, and any hyper-emotional stress are prohibited.

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HCG Analysis During Pregnancy

HCG analysis during pregnancy provides information on the percentage of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin. The determination of this type of hormone in the blood indicates pregnancy. But changes in the percentage of hCG indicate pathologies or physiological changes in the body of the expectant mother. HCG is produced by the cells of the embryonic membrane, and it is thanks to the hormone produced that the pregnancy is not interrupted, and the embryo is firmly fixed in the uterine cavity.

The test should be taken in the morning, on an empty stomach. If it is not possible to give blood in the first half of the day, then you can give it at another time, but do not eat anything for 4-6 hours before that. The hormone begins to be released into the woman's blood already on the 4-6th day after fertilization, its percentage in the blood is 25-150 mIU/ml. The maximum percentage of hCG is reached at 9-11 weeks of pregnancy and is 21,000 - 291,000 mIU/ml.

The percentage of hCG makes it possible to confirm the fact of pregnancy at an early stage and most accurately determine the period. A high value of the hormone is observed if:

• The fetus has developmental defects, Down syndrome.
• The pregnant woman has diabetes.
• The pregnant woman has gestosis.
• Artificial gestagens were used.
• Multiple pregnancy has been recorded.

A low hCG level can be:

• In case of threatened miscarriage.
• In case of non-developing pregnancy.
• In case of intrauterine death of the fetus or delayed development.
• When pregnancy is overdue.

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Blood test TSH during pregnancy

Blood analysis of TSH during pregnancy is carried out in order to assess how the thyroid gland copes with its function. Analysis of the content of thyroid stimulating hormone at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy should be carried out in order to:

• To detect thyrotoxicosis in subclinical manifestations.
• To monitor the results of suppressive therapy of thyroid hypertrophy with thyroid hormones.
• Timely diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis and a drop in TSH levels in a pregnant woman.
• Identify. If the expectant mother has latent gestational diabetes.

Blood for TSH analysis should be given in the morning, on an empty stomach, the last meal should be no later than 8 hours ago. Before giving a blood test, you should never start drug treatment, as this will affect the final result. If treatment has already been carried out, then it is better to give blood two weeks after stopping the course of treatment. The day before the test, you should not be physically exhausted, emotional hyperactivity is also contraindicated, the food should be low-fat and not too high in calories. You also cannot give blood for TSH if the following procedures were carried out the day before:

• X-ray, fluorography.
• Ultrasound.
• Rectal examination.
• Physiotherapy procedures.

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Triple Analysis During Pregnancy

Triple analysis during pregnancy is carried out at 16-18 weeks of pregnancy and every expectant mother should do it. The test includes a triple study - studying the level of hCG (0.5-2.0 MoM), AFP (0.5-2.0 MoM) and estriol (0.5-2.0 MoM). Fluctuations in the level of these indicators in the downward direction will indicate the formation of chromosomal abnormalities and other developmental abnormalities in the future child. But the analysis data is not a final diagnosis; with the woman's consent, an additional analysis is carried out - a study of the amniotic fluid. And if the diagnosis is confirmed, then the question of further pregnancy management is raised, but in many cases, despite the results of the studies, quite healthy children are born.

Blood is given for analysis on an empty stomach, in the first half of the day. The last light, low-calorie meal should be no earlier than 8 hours ago. A decrease in the level of triple test indicators indicates:

• Placental insufficiency, post-term pregnancy.
• Developmental pathologies of the unborn child, diabetes in the mother.
• High risk of miscarriage or premature birth.
• Low estriol levels indicate the development of organ hypotrophy in the fetus.

An increase in the triple test indicators indicates the following deviations:

• High hCG levels occur in cases of post-term pregnancy, abnormal pregnancy terms, diabetes, gestosis in the mother, and taking hormonal drugs during pregnancy.
• High AFP occurs in cases of neural tube defects and underdevelopment of the brain in the unborn child, fetal death, and the threat of miscarriage.
• High estriol levels occur when carrying a large baby or multiple fetuses.

Hormonal analysis during pregnancy allows you to prevent or detect possible abnormalities in the fetus at an early stage. Hormonal analysis is also recommended before conceiving a child to be aware of possible risks during pregnancy and to be confident in the health of future children.