What is a Good Beta hCG Level After an IVF Embryo Transfer? Interpreting Your Results

After an embryo transfer during IVF, your first milestone is often the beta hCG test—a blood test that detects pregnancy and offers early insight into how things are progressing. But what do those numbers actually mean? And are they predictive of a miscarriage or a live birth?

In this article, we break down what’s considered a good beta hCG level in IVF, what the research says about different results, and how to interpret your numbers with care and context.

🔑 Key Takeaways

If you can’t read the full article, know this:

• A beta hCG level over 100 mIU/mL around 10–14 days after embryo transfer is generally considered strong.
• How quickly your beta hCG rises (ideally doubling every 48–72 hours) is helpful for identifying early pregnancy progression but the initial number may be even more predictive of outcome.
• Beta hCG levels can vary based on factors like embryo stage (Day 3 vs. Day 5), fresh vs. frozen transfer, number of embryos transferred, and OHSS.
• Low beta hCG doesn’t always mean miscarriage. Some healthy pregnancies start with low numbers that rise steadily. It could be simply be due to late implantation.
• High beta hCG may suggest multiples, but only an ultrasound can confirm how many embryos implanted.
• Ultimately, ultrasound at 6–8 weeks is the most reliable indicator of pregnancy health—not just your beta numbers.

What is beta hCG?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is known as the “pregnancy hormone.” It’s produced by the developing placenta shortly after implantation, and it can be detected in blood before a home pregnancy test turns positive. A beta hCG test (quantitative hCG) measures the exact level of this hormone in your bloodstream and is typically done 9 to 14 days after the embryo transfer.

What is a good beta hCG level after IVF?

At around 10–14 days after embryo transfer, a beta hCG level above 100 mIU/mL is generally considered a strong result.

In one study of 523 IVF pregnancies, beta hCG levels exceeding 200 mIU/mL at this stage were associated with the highest likelihood of a successful pregnancy. Lower levels, by contrast, were linked to increased rates of early pregnancy loss and ectopic pregnancy, particularly in singleton pregnancies.

Here’s how pregnancy outcomes varied by beta hCG level in that study of 523 pregnancies after IVF:

What matters more: the initial beta hCG or if it doubles?

There’s no single beta hCG number that guarantees success, but many fertility clinics consider a level above 100 mIU/mL at 10-14 days post-embryo transfer to be a positive early sign. That said, research shows that higher initial beta hCG levels are more strongly associated with successful outcomes, including live birth.

A lot of patients become concerned with the rate at which the beta hCG rises—ideally doubling every 48–72 hours in early pregnancy. A strong rise can be a good indicator of a progressing pregnancy and is particularly useful in distinguishing between biochemical and clinical pregnancies. In fact, studies have shown that a 2-day increase of 1.75x or more is associated with better early outcomes.

However, the initial beta hCG level may be an even stronger predictor of success. A 2023 study found that a beta hCG of 518 mIU/mL or higher, measured 13 days after embryo transfer, was significantly associated with a higher chance of live birth.

Not all beta hCG levels are created equal

There are lots of variables that can affect early beta numbers:

• Trigger shots (hCG injections): This can cause a false-positive result or artificially inflate early hCG numbers.
• Fresh vs. frozen transfers: Frozen embryo transfers may result in higher initial beta hCG levels than fresh transfers One study found these median beta hCG levels (13 days after embryo transfer) among pregnancies that progressed to a clinical pregnancy:
  
  • Fresh Day 3: 400 mIU/mL
  • Frozen Day 3: 600 mIU/mL
  • Frozen Day 5 (blastocyst): 937 mIU/mL
• Embryo stage at transfer: Blastocyst (Day 5) transfers typically yield higher and earlier hCG levels than cleavage-stage (Day 3) embryos due to earlier implantation.
• Transfer of multiple embryos: Transferring more than one embryo can lead to higher initial hCG levels, especially if more than one implants. However, even if only one embryo ultimately continues to develop, an initially high hCG level may reflect early implantation of both.
• Embryo gender: Female embryos may be associated with higher beta hCG levels than males. One study found an 18.5% higher hCG level (gestational age-adjusted MoMs) in pregnancies with female embryos compared to males. However, other studies have found no difference. 
• OHSS: For women with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), hCG levels may fluctuate abnormally. This is because fluid build-up from OHSS could dilute the blood levels. 

Can beta hCG levels predict miscarriage?

Yes, lower early hCG levels can be linked to a higher risk of miscarriage, though not always. For instance, a 2017 study found a Day 13 beta <85 was associated with an 89% miscarriage risk.

Another study looked at mean hCG levels on Day 12 after an embryo transfer. Researchers found that beta hCG has a good predictive value for assessing the clinical pregnancy outcomes:

Still, it’s important not to draw conclusions from one number alone. Many healthy pregnancies start with “low” betas that rise beautifully in the days that follow.

High beta hCG levels: Could it mean twins?

Absolutely, higher-than-average hCG levels may indicate a multiple pregnancy! One study looking at twin pregnancies found that a beta HCG on day 13 of <207 mIU/mL had a 33% chance of delivering twins and a 55% risk of having a vanishing twin. The study also showed twin pregnancies with a beta hCG ≥768 mIU/mL had an 81% chance of delivering live twins..

But keep in mind, hCG levels can vary greatly between pregnancies. Only an ultrasound can confirm whether you’re expecting one baby or more.

What if my beta hCG isn’t doubling?

A slower rise doesn’t always mean bad news. While traditional thinking says hCG should double every 48 hours, more recent research suggests that the initial number is most predictive. 

However, if hCG levels are falling or plateauing, your clinic may monitor you closely for possible miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Always speak with your fertility doctor to interpret results in your specific context.

Is beta hCG affected by OHSS?

Yes. If you developed ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during IVF, your beta hCG levels may fluctuate abnormally due to fluid shifts in the body. However, studies show pregnancy outcomes are not negatively impacted by OHSS. Some studies even show a lower rate of early miscarriage in the OHSS group (7.8%) than overall (16%).

Can beta hCG predict if I’m having a boy or girl?

Some studies do suggest that beta hCG levels may be slightly higher in pregnancies with female fetuses, but the difference is not strong or reliable enough to predict gender. So, while it’s an interesting theory, don’t count on your numbers to reveal the sex of the baby.

What are normal hCG levels by week?

Here are the expected hCG levels during the first trimester:

• 3 weeks: 5 - 72 mIU/mL
• 4 weeks: 10 -708 mIU/mL
• 5 weeks: 217 - 8,245 mIU/mL
• 6 weeks: 152 - 32,177 mIU/mL
• 7 weeks: 4,059 - 153,767 mIU/mL
• 8 weeks: 31,366 - 149,094 mIU/mL
• 9 weeks: 59,109 - 135,901 mIU/mL
• 10 weeks: 44,186 - 170,409 mIU/mL
• 12 weeks: 27,107 - 201,165 mIU/mL
• 14 weeks: 24,302 - 93,646 mIU/mL
• 15 weeks: 12,540 - 69,747 mIU/mL
• 16 weeks: 8,904 - 55,332 mIU/mL
• 17 weeks: 8,240 - 51,793 mIU/mL
• 18 weeks: 9,649 - 55,271 mIU/mL

Final thoughts: What beta hCG can—and can’t—tell you

Your beta hCG level is a helpful first marker of pregnancy after IVF, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Many pregnancies with low or slow-rising betas turn out perfectly healthy, while some with high betas can still encounter complications.

The most definitive sign of pregnancy progress will come during your first ultrasound around 6–8 weeks, when your provider checks for a heartbeat and gestational sac.

Until then, take things one step at a time—and remember, you are not alone on this journey.