Human Chorionic Gonadotropin HCG Serum

Category:

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) Serum

Description

hCG is a protein produced in the placenta of a pregnant woman. A pregnancy test is a specific blood or urine test that can detect hCG and confirm pregnancy. This hormone can be detected 10 days after a missed menstrual period, the time period when the fertilized egg is implanted in the woman’s uterus.
At pregnancy, production of hCG increases steadily during the first 10 weeks, peaking around the 10th week after the last menstrual cycle.   Then  level fall slowly during the rest of the pregnancy.
hCG is also produced by some germ cell tumors and increased levels are seen in trophoblastic disease.
Qualitative hCG testing is routinely used to confirm pregnancy. It measures the actual amount of hCG present in the blood.

Its concentration is measured by means of a urine sample collected first thing in the morning or a blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm.

Purpose of the test

To confirm and monitor pregnancy or to help diagnose and monitor trophoblastic disease or germ cell tumors.

It is prescribed as early as 10 days after a missed menstrual period or if a doctor thinks that your symptoms suggest ectopic pregnancy, trophoblastic disease, or germ cell tumors.

Reference range values

Negative        < 6 IU/L
Indeterminate    6-29 IU/L

Positive           >=30 IU/L

Abnormal findings

During early pregnancy, the hCG level in the blood doubles every two to three days. Ectopic pregnancies usually have a longer doubling time.
hCG is also used to check eficiency of  treatment in patients with trophoblastic disease and to detect recurrent disease after treatment is complete.
Certain drugs such as diuretics and promethazine can also cause false-negative urine results.
Other drugs such as anti-convulsants, anti-parkinson drugs, hypnotics, and tranquilizers may cause false-positive results.
There are reports of false positive serum hCG results due to several different compounds (not drugs) that may interfere with the test. These include certain types of antibodies that may be present in some individuals and fragments of the hCG molecule. Generally, if results are questionable, they may be confirmed by testing with a different method.