VA
A 19-year-old female asked:
Had my methotrexate injection 7 weeks ago for an ectopic pregnancy (about 3 weeks along). still getting pos. home pregnancy tests. what's going on?
4 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
47 years experience
TeenyWeenyAmounts: That's a good question. As long as you feel ok, don't worry too much. The test you are using is a "qualitative test" (there or not there) but doesn't say how much of the test substance (in this case, Beta HCG) is still around. The urine test is designed to pick up very small amounts to pick up early pregnancy. So it's probably still around in very small amounts. Check again in 2-3 weeks.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
Dr. Claudette Anderson commented
Specializes in Gynecology
Agreed,in the meantime use contraception
Nov 29, 2015
Dr. Charles Whitinganswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 29 years experience
See your Doc ASAP: It takes awhile for the HCG level to drop to zero; however, 7 weeks seems like more than enough time. You need to see your doctor and get a blood HCG level. If it isn't dropping correctly, you may need another injection. There are also some rare complications that need to be considered if the HCG doesn't drop. Bottom line: See your doctor ASAP.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Jeff Livingstonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 24 years experience
Should be tracked: After Methotrexate it is important that your BHCG levels be tracked all the way down to zero. Usually this is done weekly. This is done to make sure that Methotrexate worked to treat the ectopic pregnancy. Also since it has been 7 weeks are you sure that this is not a new pregnancy? It is possible that you are pregnant again. See an Obgyn for a BHCG blood test.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A Verified Doctoranswered
Family Medicine 14 years experience
This can happen: Typically beta HCG (hormone detected in a pregnancy test) levels decrease after pregnancy loss at the same rate that they increase after conception. So on average it should take about 3 weeks to turn negative after loss of a 3 week pregnancy. Ectopics can be a bit harder to guage, and if it was farther along than 3 weeks, this could be expected. A sensitive test can stay positive for 2 months.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 1, 2015
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