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Hcg count test


HCG blood test - quantitative Information | Mount Sinai

Serial beta HCG; Repeat quantitative beta HCG; Human chorionic gonadotropin blood test - quantitative; Beta-HCG blood test - quantitative; Pregnancy test - blood - quantitative

A quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) test measures the specific level of HCG in the blood. HCG is a hormone produced in the body during pregnancy.

Other HCG tests include:

  • HCG urine test
  • HCG blood test -- qualitative

Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.

How the Test is Performed

A blood sample is needed. This is most often taken from a vein. The procedure is called a venipuncture.

How to Prepare for the Test

No special preparation is needed.

How the Test will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the Test is Performed

HCG appears in the blood and urine of pregnant women as early as 10 days after conception. Quantitative HCG measurement helps determine the exact age of the fetus. It can also assist in the diagnosis of abnormal pregnancies, such as ectopic pregnancies, molar pregnancies, and possible miscarriages. It is also used as part of a screening test for Down syndrome.

This test is also done to diagnose abnormal conditions not related to pregnancy that can raise HCG level.

Normal Results

Results are given in milli-international units per milliliter (mUI/mL).

Normal levels are found in:

  • Non-pregnant women: less than 5 mIU/mL
  • Healthy men: less than 2 mIU/mL

In pregnancy, HCG level rises rapidly during the first trimester and then declines slightly. The expected HCG ranges in pregnant women are based on the length of the pregnancy.

  • 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

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test result.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Higher than normal level may indicate:

  • More than one fetus, for example, twins or triplets
  • Choriocarcinoma of the uterus
  • Hydatidiform mole of the uterus
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Testicular cancer (in men)

During pregnancy, lower than normal levels based on the gestational age may indicate:

  • Fetal death
  • Incomplete miscarriage
  • Threatened spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)
  • Ectopic pregnancy

Risks

Risks of having blood drawn are slight, but may include:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling lightheaded
  • Blood accumulating under the skin (hematoma)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Jain S, Pincus MR, Bluth MH, McPherson RA, Bowne WB, Lee P. Diagnosis and management of cancer using serological and other body fluid markers. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017:chap 74.

Jeelani R, Bluth MH. Reproductive function and pregnancy. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017:chap 25.

University of Iowa Diagnostic Laboratories. Test directory: HCG - serum, quantitative. www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/path_handbook/rhandbook/test446.html. Updated February 10, 2022. Accessed March 11, 2022.

Yarbrough ML, Stout M, Gronowski AM. Pregnancy and its disorders. In: Rifai N, ed. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 6th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2018:chap 69.

Last reviewed on: 12/3/2020

Reviewed by: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 03/11/2022.

hCG levels | Pregnancy Birth and Baby

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Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone normally produced by the placenta. If you are pregnant, you can detect it in your urine. Blood tests measuring hCG levels can also be used to check how well your pregnancy is progressing.

Confirming pregnancy

After you conceive (when the sperm fertilises the egg), the developing placenta begins to produce and release hCG.

It takes about 2 weeks for your hCG levels to be high enough to be detected in your urine using a home pregnancy test.

A positive home test result is almost certainly correct, but a negative result is less reliable.

If you do a pregnancy test on the first day after your missed period, and it’s negative, wait about a week. If you still think you might be pregnant, do the test again or see your doctor.

hCG blood levels by week

If your doctor needs more information about your hCG levels, they may order a blood test. Low levels of hCG may be detected in your blood around 8 to 11 days after conception. hCG levels are highest towards the end of the first trimester, then gradually decline over the rest of your pregnancy.

The average levels of hCG in a pregnant woman’s blood are:

3 weeks 6 – 70 IU/L
4 weeks 10 - 750 IU/L
5 weeks 200 - 7,100 IU/L
6 weeks 160 - 32,000 IU/L
7 weeks 3,700 - 160,000 IU/L
8 weeks 32,000 - 150,000 IU/L
9 weeks 64,000 - 150,000 IU/L
10 weeks 47,000 - 190,000 IU/L
12 weeks 28,000 - 210,000 IU/L
14 weeks 14,000 - 63,000 IU/L
15 weeks 12,000 - 71,000 IU/L
16 weeks 9,000 - 56,000 IU/L
16 - 29 weeks (second trimester) 1,400 - 53,000 IU/L
29 - 41 weeks (third trimester) 940 - 60,000 IU/L

The amount of hCG in your blood can give some information about your pregnancy and the health of your baby.

  • Higher than expected levels: you may have multiple pregnancies (for example, twins and triplets) or an abnormal growth in the uterus
  • Your hCG levels are falling: you may be having a loss of pregnancy (miscarriage) or risk of miscarriage
  • Levels that are rising more slowly than expected: you may have an ectopic pregnancy – where the fertilised egg implants in the fallopian tube

hCG levels and multiple pregnancies

One of the ways of diagnosing a multiple pregnancy is by your hCG levels. A high level may indicate you are carrying multiple babies, but it can also be caused by other factors. You will need an ultrasound to confirm that it’s twins or more.

Levels of hCG in your blood don’t provide a diagnosis of anything. They can only suggest that there are issues to look into.

If you have any concerns about your hCG levels, or wish to know more, speak to your doctor or maternity healthcare professional. You can also call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436.

Sources:
NSW Government Health Pathology (hCG factsheet), UNSW Embryology (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), Elsevier Patient Education (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin test), SydPath (hCG (human Chorionic Gonadotrophin), Pathology Tests Explained (Human chorionic gonadotropin)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: December 2020


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