HCG, TOTAL, QN

"Clinical Significance
hCG, Total, Quantitative - hCG may reach detectable limits within 7-10 days of conception. hCG is produced by the placenta and reaches a peak between the 7th and 10th week of gestation. hCG is a glycoprotein hormone produced by the syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta and secreted during normal pregnancy and with pathologic conditions such as hydatidiform mole, choriocarcinoma and testicular neoplasm.  Order hCG, Total, Qualitative, Urine, if hCG serum result is inconsistent with clinical presentation.

Preferred Specimen(s)
1 mL serum

Minimum Volume
0.3 mL

Transport Container
Serum separator tube (SST)

Transport Temperature
Room temperature

Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days
Setup Schedule"

Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)

Reference Range(s)
Male    <5 mIU/mL 
Female     
  Non-pregnant or Premenopausal    <5 mIU/mL
  Postmenopausal    <10 mIU/mL
Values from different assay methods may vary. The use of this assay to monitor or to diagnose patients with cancer or any condition unrelated to pregnancy has not been cleared or approved by the FDA or the manufacturer of the assay.

Alternative Name(s)
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG),Chorionic Gonadotropin