Hcg is measured in urine or blood

HCG blood test - quantitative

Medical Tests

Definition

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

Alternative Names

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

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)

References

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 - pregnancy, serum, quantitative. www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/path_handbook/rhandbook/test1549.html. Updated December 14, 2017. Accessed February 18, 2019.

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.

Review Date: 09/25/2018

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright ©2019 A.D.A.M., Inc., as modified by University of California San Francisco. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Information developed by A.D.A.M., Inc. regarding tests and test results may not directly correspond with information provided by UCSF Health. Please discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.

Pregnancy Test (hCG) - Testing.com

Test Quick Guide

A pregnancy test measures a hormone in the body called hCG, produced during pregnancy by the placenta and found in the blood and urine.

Testing for hCG can be done as soon as 10 days after conception to help determine if you are pregnant. Measuring hCG can also help identify complications during pregnancy.

HCG

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) plus the hCG beta-subunit

$49.00

This test measures the level of hCG in the blood.

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About the Test

Purpose of the test

The main use of a pregnancy test is to evaluate if you are pregnant. Both urine and blood tests for hCG can be used for this purpose, and repeat testing may be done to confirm a pregnancy. Very early in a pregnancy, tests that measure the amount of hCG may also help assess the age of a fetus.

Less often, hcG tests can be used to:

Identify or rule out an ectopic pregnancy, when a fertilized egg attaches or implants in an abnormal area
Check for pregnancy prior to surgery or other medical treatments
Screen for Down syndrome if you are pregnant as part of prenatal screening
Monitor a pregnancy that may be at risk of a miscarriage
Help diagnose gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), a term for pregnancy-related tumors

What does the test measure?

A pregnancy test measures a hormone in the body called hCG, which is created at higher levels during pregnancy. There are two different ways hCG results are reported:

Qualitative: These hCG tests give a positive or negative result depending on the presence or absence of hCG in the sample. Qualitative tests can be done using either a blood or urine sample. This type of testing is done most often to confirm a pregnancy.
Quantitative: This type of hCG testing measures the amount of hCG present in the blood. These tests frequently use a blood sample, but some urine tests can provide a degree of quantitative measurement. Along with confirming a pregnancy, quantitative hCG tests can also be used as part of the diagnostic process for abnormal pregnancies.

When should I get a pregnancy test?

A pregnancy test is most commonly done when you believe you may be pregnant. Testing may detect a pregnancy as soon as 10 days after conception. The accuracy of pregnancy tests usually increases if taken at least one to two weeks after a missed menstrual period.

It may also be done when there are signs and symptoms that suggest an ectopic pregnancy or a pregnancy that is failing.

Signs of an ectopic pregnancy may include:

Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Low back pain
Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area
Cramping on one side of the pelvis

Additional and more severe symptoms may develop if an ectopic pregnancy is not identified and treated, so it is important if you’re of childbearing age to talk with a doctor if you notice these symptoms.

Pregnancy testing may also be done as a routine test prior to some medical treatments, such as surgeries or chemotherapy, that could potentially harm a fetus.

A doctor can best determine if a pregnancy test is appropriate.

Finding a Pregnancy Test

How can I get a pregnancy test?

Laboratory tests such as blood draws and urine samples generally need to be ordered by a health care professional. Either of these tests can take place in a doctor’s office, hospital, or laboratory. Urine pregnancy tests can ordered or be taken at home. If you suspect you are pregnant, talk with your health care professional about how to get a blood pregnancy test.

Can I take the test at home?

At-home pregnancy tests are a fast and convenient way to take a pregnancy test. Home pregnancy testing is very similar to qualitative urine hCG testing performed in the laboratory, but there are some important differences to be aware of:

At-home tests have very specific instructions that must be followed exactly. When using an at-home test, follow the directions carefully. Each test’s ability to detect the presence of hCG can vary based on the brand of the test.
Look carefully at the test instructions about how long you must wait to test after a missed menstrual period. Tests that are done too early may result in a negative result when you are actually pregnant.
At-home pregnancy tests should typically be done using a urine sample taken the first time you urinate in the morning. This is when urine is the most concentrated and has enough hCG to be detected.

When used correctly, most at-home pregnancy tests produce the same result as the qualitative urine hCG test done by a medical provider.

If your test is positive, it is important to reach out to your health care provider to learn more about the next steps in your care, including if other tests are needed to confirm that you are pregnant.

How much does the test cost?

The cost of testing, whether it’s a blood pregnancy test or a urine pregnancy test, depends on several factors, including your insurance coverage, the type of pregnancy test, and where the test is performed. For example, a blood pregnancy test is $49, and a urine pregnancy test is $47 from Testing.com.

If the pregnancy test is ordered by a doctor, insurance normally covers most of the cost, except for copays and deductibles. It’s important to check with your health insurance and health care provider for more information about specific costs.

Taking a Pregnancy Test

A pregnancy test is done using blood or urine samples.

A blood test is done by drawing a tube of blood from a vein in your arm. This takes place in the doctor’s office, and the sample is sent to the laboratory.
A urine test is done by urinating into a cup and then placing a drop of urine on a prepared chemical strip. This can be done in a doctor’s office or at home using an at-home test kit.

Before the test

You usually do not need to fast or do any special preparations before a urine or blood pregnancy test. However, you should always ask your doctor to clarify or confirm any pretest instructions.

During the test

When a pregnancy test is conducted in a medical facility or lab, a health care professional will instruct you on whether a blood or urine sample will be needed.

If a blood sample is needed, it will be taken with a needle inserted into a vein in your arm. Before drawing the blood, an elastic band is tied around your upper arm to increase blood in the veins. The puncture location is then wiped clean and disinfected. A needle blood draw may cause a brief sting but normally lasts less than a minute.

To collect a urine sample, you urinate into a sterile cup provided by your health care provider. In most cases, a urine sample taken the first time you urinate in the morning is best. Collecting a urine sample normally takes only a few minutes.

After the test

When the blood draw is completed, a bandage or cotton swab will be used to prevent bleeding. You will likely be advised to keep the bandage on for an hour or more.

Providing a urine sample does not require any post-test instructions or restrictions.

Pregnancy Test Results

Receiving test results

The time it takes to get the results of a pregnancy test depends on the type of test that is ordered. It may take anywhere from a few hours to more than a day to get the results of a blood test. Results from urine tests are generally available in one to two minutes.

Because both of these tests are generally done in a clinic setting, you will likely receive the results from a health care professional.

Interpreting test results

How pregnancy tests are reported depends on whether the test was qualitative or quantitative.

Qualitative test results

Qualitative test results are reported as positive or negative:

A negative test result indicates that you are likely not pregnant. It is important to remember that tests performed too early can result in a false-negative result due to low levels of hCG. The test may need to be repeated in a week if there is a likely possibility of pregnancy.
A positive result indicates that you are likely pregnant. False-positive results can occur if you are post-menopausal or taking hormone supplements.

Quantitative test results

Quantitative test results are reported in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL). hCG should not be detectable if you are not pregnant. If you are pregnant, hCG doubles approximately every two to three days during the first one to two months of the pregnancy. The level of hCG keeps rising throughout the first trimester and declines slowly during the second and third trimesters.

The results of quantitative test results may also be considered if hCG testing is being done related to an abnormal pregnancy or other health conditions.

Talking with a health care professional is the best way to learn more about your test results and the next steps in your care. Here are some questions you can ask your doctor after taking a pregnancy test:

Should the test be repeated if I didn’t get the expected result?
Is it possible that the result was a false negative or a false positive?
What can a quantitative hCG test tell me about the baby’s health?
If the test shows I’m pregnant, what are the next steps to begin prenatal care?

Progesterone Learn More
Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) Learn More
First Trimester Screening Learn More
Maternal Serum Screening, Second Trimester Learn More

Resources

CDC: Pregnancy
Womenshealth. gov: Knowing If You Are Pregnant
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Ectopic Pregnancy

Sources

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IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes in dynamics, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes.

We remind you that independent interpretation of the results is unacceptable, the information below is for reference only.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, β-hCG, beta-hCG, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin): indications for the appointment, rules for preparing for the test, interpretation of the results and normal indicators.

Chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone produced by the outer shell of the embryo, and is normally determined in the blood and urine of a woman only when pregnancy occurs.

Chorionic gonadotropin consists of two subunits - alpha and beta. The beta subunit (β-hCG) used for the immunometric determination of the hormone is unique. To monitor the course of pregnancy, the determination of the beta subunit of hCG is used. The level of beta-hCG in the blood as early as 6-8 days after conception makes it possible to diagnose pregnancy (the concentration of β-hCG in the urine reaches the diagnostic level 1-2 days later than in the blood serum).

HCG has a multifaceted effect on the body of a pregnant woman: it affects the development of the embryo and fetus, stimulates the synthesis of estrogens and androgens by ovarian cells, promotes the functional activity of the chorion and placenta, and ensures the successful course of pregnancy.

The introduction of hCG into the body of non-pregnant women stimulates ovulation and the synthesis of sex hormones necessary for conception. In men, this hormone enhances the formation of seminal fluid, activates the production of gonadosteroids.

In early pregnancy and up to the 2nd trimester, β-hCG supports the production of hormones necessary to maintain pregnancy, and in male fetuses it stimulates cells responsible for the formation and development of the male reproductive system.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, beta-hCG, b-hCG, Human Chorionic)

Synonyms: Beta-hCG general. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin; hCG; Pregnancy Quantitative hCG; Beta hCG; Total beta hCG. Brief description of the analyte Human chorionic gonadotropin ...

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

RUB 685

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Indications for determining the level of hCG in women

Absence of menstruation (amenorrhea).
Exclusion/confirmation of pregnancy, including ectopic (ectopic).
Diagnosis of the state of the fetus at different stages of pregnancy.
Assessment of the state of the placenta at different stages of pregnancy.
Dynamic monitoring of fetal development during pregnancy, including in the diagnosis of malformations.
Suspicion of the presence of neoplastic diseases of the reproductive system, such as hydatidiform mole (a rare pathology of the fetal egg, in which instead of the development of the embryo, chorionic villi grow), chorionepithelioma (a malignant tumor that develops from the epithelium of the villi of the fetal egg).
Performing artificial termination of pregnancy.

Indications for determining the level of hCG in men:

The presence of suspicion of tumors of the testicles.

Deadline for this test is 1 working day, excluding the day of taking the biomaterial.

Rules for preparing for a blood test to determine the level of hCG

non-specific: it is enough to refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol on the eve of the procedure, limit stress and intense physical activity for a week; blood donation is carried out on an empty stomach.

The determination of hCG in the blood is possible already on the 6-8th day after conception. The use of urinary test systems (rapid pregnancy tests) will be informative starting from the 7th day after the fertilization of the egg. To confirm the result, it is recommended to re-determine the level of the hormone a few days after the first analysis.

You can take a blood test for hCG (thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyrotropin, Thyroid StimulatingHormone, TSH) at the nearest INVITRO medical office. The list of offices where biomaterial for laboratory testing is accepted is presented in the "Addresses" section.

Reasons leading to high levels of β-hCG

Multiple pregnancy.

Incorrect timing of pregnancy.

Pathological pregnancy: the appearance of edema, increased blood pressure, loss of protein in the urine (preeclampsia), convulsions (eclampsia), toxicosis.
The presence of a pregnant woman with chronic diseases (for example, diabetes mellitus).
Multiple fetal malformations (in such a situation, the determination of the level of β-hCG is used together with other indicators, the so-called "triple test". This study is used as a screening, and not for diagnosis.).

Reasons for fixing a decrease in the level of β-hCG

Incorrectly established terms of pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancy.
Frozen pregnancy.
Threat of miscarriage.
Fetal or placental disorders (including placental insufficiency).
Intrauterine fetal death (in this case, it is informative to determine the level of the hormone in the first and second trimesters).

During abortion, the level of β-hCG is also monitored, the dynamics of growth / fall of which can be used to judge the completeness of the manipulation.

Determining the level of hCG, in addition to establishing the fact of pregnancy in the early stages, is part of the screening examination of pregnant women in the first trimester, along with ultrasound.

1st trimester prenatal screening for trisomies, PRISCA-1 (1st trimester biochemical screening - 1st trimester “double test”, risk calculation using PRISCA software)

Synonyms: Prenatal Screening Markers for Down Syndrome; PRISCA-1. Brief description of the study "Prenatal screening for trisomies of the 1st trimester of pregnancy, PRISCA-1)" Test run...

Up to 1 business day

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2 040 RUB

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Screening ultrasound of the 1st trimester of pregnancy (11-13 weeks 6 days)

Examination necessary to monitor the growth and development of the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy.

RUB 2,790 Sign up

In gynecological practice, human chorionic gonadotropin is used to treat infertility, stimulate ovulation, and synthesize sex steroids. In urology, it is used in the treatment of cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) and infertility associated with impaired spermatogenesis.

Quantitatively, β-hCG is determined in the blood, for a qualitative determination, special test systems (pregnancy tests) are used, and in this case, urine serves as a biomaterial.

Quantitative determination of the level of hCG allows you to monitor the course of pregnancy in dynamics. To do this, obstetrician-gynecologists have developed tables for increasing the level of hCG, depending on the duration of pregnancy in weeks. The sensitivity of the determination is in the range of 1.2-1125000 mU/ml.

Reference values of hCG levels in dynamics by gestational age

Pregnancy (weeks from conception)	HCG level (mU / ml)
2	25–300
3	1500–5000
four	10000–30000
5	20000–100000
6–11	20000–>225000
12	19000–135000
13	18000–110000
fourteen	14000–80000
fifteen	12000–68000
16	10000–58000
17–18	8000–57000
19	7000–49000
20–28	1600–49000
Men and non-pregnant women	0–<5 mU/ml

Values ranging from 5 to 25 mU / ml do not allow unambiguous confirmation or denial of pregnancy, therefore, a second study is required after two days.

Since the hormone is produced by the placenta, during normal pregnancy, with placental pathology (for example, with fetoplacental insufficiency - a violation of the development of the fetus and placenta), with multiple pregnancies, the values of β-hCG will differ. With a normal pregnancy until the fifth week, the level of the hormone rises exponentially: every two days its concentration doubles, reaching a peak by the 11th week of gestation. Accordingly, in a multiple pregnancy, the level of β-hCG will be even higher than in a single pregnancy.

If the indicator deviates from the norm, additional ultrasound of the pelvic organs (uterus, appendages) is required.

Ultrasound of the pelvic organs (uterus, appendages)

Ultrasound scanning of the organs of the female reproductive system to assess the shape and size, as well as exclude pathology.

RUB 2,390 Sign up

However, with a normal hCG value, additional examinations may also be needed:

Ultrasound diagnosis of pregnancy (required to confirm pregnancy, specify the term).

Ultrasound diagnosis of pregnancy

Examination to confirm pregnancy and determine the place of attachment of the ovum (to exclude ectopic pregnancy).

RUB 2,290 Sign up

Screening ultrasound of the 1st trimester of pregnancy (11-13 weeks 6 days) - to assess the characteristics and confirm the normal development of the fetus.

Screening ultrasound of the 1st trimester of pregnancy (11-13 weeks 6 days)

Examination necessary to monitor the growth and development of the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy.

RUB 2,790 Sign up

Screening ultrasound of the 1st trimester of multiple pregnancy (11-13 weeks 6 days) - to confirm the presence of several fetuses, determine their characteristics; It is necessary for planning the subsequent actions of the doctor and the management of pregnancy.

Screening ultrasound of the 1st trimester of multiple pregnancy (11-13 weeks 6 days)

A study that allows you to assess the growth and development of fetuses, their position in the uterus, and make a plan for further pregnancy management.

RUB 3,840 Sign up

Fetal ultrasound according to indications (before the 20th week) - performed in case of suspected ectopic pregnancy.

Fetal ultrasound according to indications (before the 20th week)

Additional ultrasound, which is prescribed in the presence of concomitant pathologies to monitor the condition of the fetus.

RUB 2,540 Sign up

Laboratory tests to be performed in the first trimester are collected in the Pregnancy: 1st trimester (1-13 weeks) profile.

For professional assistance in interpreting the results, contact

obstetrician-gynecologist

Sources:

www.invitro.ru
Clinical guidelines "Ectopic (ectopic) pregnancy". Developed by: Russian Society of Obstetricians-Gynecologists, Association of Obstetric Anesthesiologists-Resuscitators. – 2021.
Clinical guidelines "Premature birth". Developed by: Russian Society of Obstetricians-Gynecologists, Association of Obstetric Anesthesiologists-Resuscitators. – 2020.

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Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, beta-hCG, b-hCG, Human Chorionic)

Test material Blood serum

Method of determination Linked immunosorbent assay.

Specific pregnancy hormone.

Glycoprotein is a dimer with a molecular weight of about 46 kDa, synthesized in placental syncytiotrophoblast. HCG is made up of two subunits: alpha and beta. The alpha subunit is identical to the alpha subunits of the pituitary hormones TSH, FSH, and LH. The beta subunit (β-hCG) used for the immunometric determination of the hormone is unique.

The level of beta-hCG in the blood already on the 6th - 8th day after conception makes it possible to diagnose pregnancy (the concentration of β-hCG in the urine reaches the diagnostic level 1-2 days later than in the blood serum).

In the first trimester of pregnancy, hCG provides the synthesis of progesterone and estrogens, necessary to maintain pregnancy, by the corpus luteum of the ovary. HCG acts on the corpus luteum like a luteinizing hormone, that is, it supports its existence. This happens until the "fetus-placenta" complex acquires the ability to independently form the necessary hormonal background. In the male fetus, hCG stimulates the Leydig cells that synthesize testosterone, which is necessary for the formation of male reproductive organs.

HCG is synthesized by trophoblast cells after embryo implantation and continues throughout pregnancy. In the normal course of pregnancy, between 2 - 5 weeks of pregnancy, the content of β-hCG doubles every 1.5 days. The peak concentration of hCG falls on the 10th - 11th week of pregnancy, then its concentration begins to slowly decrease. With multiple pregnancies, the content of hCG increases in proportion to the number of fetuses.

Low levels of hCG may indicate an ectopic pregnancy or threatened abortion. Determining the content of hCG in combination with other tests (alpha-fetoprotein and free estriol at 15-20 weeks of pregnancy, the so-called "triple test") is used in prenatal diagnosis to identify the risk of fetal abnormalities.

In addition to pregnancy, hCG is used in laboratory diagnostics as a tumor marker for tumors of trophoblastic tissue and germ cells of the ovaries and testes that secrete chorionic gonadotropin.

Early detection of pregnancy: determination of the level of hCG

What is hCG?

HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a special pregnancy hormone, which is an important indicator of the development of pregnancy and its deviations. Chorionic gonadotropin is produced by the cells of the chorion (the shell of the embryo) immediately after it is attached to the wall of the uterus. Based on a blood test for chorionic gonadotropin, the doctor determines the presence of chorionic tissue in the body, and hence the onset of pregnancy in a woman.

When can an hCG test be done?

Determining the level of chorionic gonadotropin in the blood is the most reliable method for determining pregnancy in the early stages. Chorionic gonadotropin appears in a woman's body from 5 to 6 days after fertilization. A common rapid pregnancy test that every woman can use at home is also based on the determination of human chorionic gonadotropin in the urine, but the necessary level of this hormone in the urine to diagnose pregnancy is reached a few days later.

In the absence of any pathology, in the first weeks of pregnancy, the level of the hormone doubles every 2 days, and its maximum concentration is reached by 10-11 weeks of pregnancy. After 11 weeks, the level of the hormone gradually goes down.

An increase in the level of human chorionic gonadotropin during pregnancy can occur with:

multiple pregnancies;
toxicosis, gestosis;
maternal diabetes;
fetal pathologies, Down syndrome, multiple malformations;
incorrectly determined gestational age;
taking synthetic gestagens, etc.

Elevated values can also be seen within a week when taking a test after an abortion procedure. A high level of the hormone after a mini-abortion indicates a progressive pregnancy.

Low levels of human chorionic gonadotropin during pregnancy may indicate a misdiagnosis of the pregnancy or be a sign of serious disorders, such as:

ectopic pregnancy;
non-progressive pregnancy;
fetal growth retardation;
threatened miscarriage;
chronic placental insufficiency;
fetal death (in the II-III trimester of pregnancy).

Chorionic gonadotropin is included in the triple test, which can be used to judge the presence of some anomalies in the development of the fetus, but an accurate diagnosis cannot be made. The study only allows you to identify women at risk. In this case, women will need to make a serious additional examination.

What is the role of the hCG hormone in the human body?

In addition to establishing the fact of pregnancy, by quantitative determination of the level of this hormone, one can judge the nature of the course of pregnancy, the presence of multiple pregnancy.

The most important task of human chorionic gonadotropin is to support the pregnancy itself. Under his control, the synthesis of the main hormones of pregnancy: estrogen and progesterone. In the first trimester, until the placenta is fully formed (up to 16 weeks), human chorionic gonadotropin maintains the normal functional activity of the corpus luteum, namely, the production of progesterone.

Another important function of human chorionic gonadotropin is to stimulate ovulation and maintain the vitality of the corpus luteum.

When does the doctor prescribe an hCG test?

In addition to diagnosing early pregnancy, chorionic gonadotropin is determined:

in women -