Test Code HCGQNT Beta-hCG Quantitative, Serum LAB143
Performing Laboratory
UnityPoint The Finley Hospital
Test Method
Chemiluminescent immunoassay (sandwich principle); Roche cobas Pro
Performance
Testing is performed Monday through Sunday.
Routine orders: Typically completed within 4 hours after specimen arrives at the laboratory.
STAT orders: Typically completed within 1 hour after the specimen arrives at the laboratory.
Specimen Requirement
- Lithium heparin plasma is the specimen of choice.
- Serum and EDTA plasma are also acceptable sample types.
- Gel tubes are acceptable.
- It is recommended that the serum or plasma be separated from contact with cells within 2 hours from time of collection.
- HCG specimens are stable for 5 days at 20-25°C, 14 days at 2-8°C, and 12 months at -20°C.
Useful For
hCG is produced in the placenta during pregnancy. In non‑pregnant women, it can also be produced by tumors of the trophoblast, germ cell tumors with trophoblastic components and some non‑trophoblastic tumors. Elevated values here serve as an indication of chorionic carcinoma, hydatidiform mole or multiple pregnancy. Depressed values indicate threatening or missed abortion, ectopic
pregnancy, gestosis or intra‑uterine death.
Reference Values
- Male: < 2 mIU/mL
- Female:
Nonpregnant female: < 1 mIU/mL
Postmenopausal female: < 7 mIU/mL
Pregnant:
week 3 : 6 - 71 mIU/mL
week 4 : 10 - 750 mIU/mL
week 5 : 217 - 7,138 mIU/mL
week 6 : 158 - 31,795 mIU/mL
week 7 : 3,697 - 163,563 mIU/mL
week 8 : 32,065 - 149,571 mIU/mL
week 9 : 63,803 - 151,410 mIU/mL
week 10: 46,509 - 186,977 mIU/mL
week 12: 27,832 - 210,612 mIU/mL
week 14: 13,950 - 62,530 mIU/mL
week 15: 12,039 - 70,971 mIU/mL
week 16: 9,040 - 56,451 mIU/mL
week 17: 8,175 - 55,868 mIU/mL
week 18: 8,099 - 58,176 mIU/mL
CPT Code Information
84702 Other Unlisted Chemistry Tests:
Gonadotropin, chorionic (hCG); quantitative
LOINC Code Information
21198-7 Choriogonadotropin.Beta Subunit [Units/Volume] In Serum
Or Plasma