Saturday, February, 11, 2012

HCG - quantitative

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

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


Normal Values

HCG levels rise rapidly during the first trimester of pregnancy and then slightly decline.


What abnormal results mean

Higher-than-normal levels may indicate:

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

Lower-than-normal levels may indicate:

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

Images


Review Date: 11/21/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)