Post-Medication Abortion: Pregnancy Test Results

Post-medication abortion, pregnancy test results?

Hello Doctor, I had a medical abortion on May 19 and returned for a follow-up on May 26.
During the visit, the doctor only performed a pregnancy test and did not conduct an ultrasound.
The doctor showed me the test strip and said that the faint line indicates that the uterus is clear, meaning I do not need to return for another visit.
On May 29, I had no more bleeding.
On June 2, I purchased a home pregnancy test, and the result was even fainter than the one from the clinic on May 26.
On June 9, I tested again, and it showed negative for pregnancy (home pregnancy test).
On June 13, I had a company health check with a blood draw, and on June 16, I tested again, which still showed negative for pregnancy (home pregnancy test).
My period arrived as expected on June 24.
On July 1, I received my health check report, and the HCG level from the blood test was 3.74.
Do I need to have another blood test until the HCG level reaches 0, or is it sufficient if the home pregnancy test shows negative? Thank you, Doctor.

Li Ting, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2024/07/02

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hello, you should be certain that you are not pregnant.
Wishing you good health.

Reply Date: 2024/07/02

More Info

Dear Patient,
Thank you for your detailed inquiry regarding your recent experience with medication abortion and subsequent pregnancy test results. It’s understandable to have concerns about the process and the implications of the results you are receiving. Let’s break down your situation and clarify what the results mean.

You mentioned that you underwent a medication abortion on May 19, and during your follow-up appointment on May 26, the doctor indicated that the faint line on the pregnancy test suggested that the abortion was successful. This is a common practice; a faint line can indicate residual HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) levels, which should decrease over time after a successful abortion.

On June 2, you noted that you had no further bleeding, which is a positive sign that your body is returning to its pre-pregnancy state. The subsequent tests you performed on June 6 and June 9 showed increasingly lighter lines, indicating a decrease in HCG levels. By June 13, your blood test showed an HCG level of 3.74, which is very low and suggests that your body is clearing the pregnancy hormone effectively.

The key point to understand is that HCG levels typically return to zero within a few weeks after a successful abortion. The fact that your home pregnancy tests are showing negative results is a good indication that the pregnancy has been resolved. Generally, if the urine pregnancy test is negative, it suggests that the HCG levels have dropped sufficiently, and you are no longer pregnant.

Regarding your question about whether you need to wait for the HCG levels to reach zero: while it is not strictly necessary to wait for the HCG levels to be exactly zero, it is often recommended to follow up with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or if you continue to have positive tests. In many cases, healthcare providers will want to ensure that HCG levels are undetectable, especially if there were any complications or if you experience any unusual symptoms.

In your case, since you have already had a negative urine test and your HCG level is low, it is likely that you do not need to continue testing unless advised by your doctor. However, if you experience any unusual symptoms, such as persistent pain, heavy bleeding, or any other concerns, you should reach out to your healthcare provider for further evaluation.

In summary, based on the information you provided, it appears that your body is responding well post-abortion, and the negative pregnancy tests are encouraging. If you have any lingering doubts or if your symptoms change, do not hesitate to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Wishing you good health and peace of mind.

Best regards.

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