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Test Code HCGB Plasma BHCG Quantitation

Important Note

This test may be affected by biotin interference. Patients on high dose biotin (5mg/day or more) should not have samples drawn until at least 24 hours after the last biotin administration.

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Plasma

Preferred Specimen: Mint Top

Other Acceptable specimens: Serum/Red Top, Serum/Gold Top

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
  • Samples must be sent room temperature at 15-25oC.

 

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
  • Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours

Reference Values

 

Test

Patient Type

Sex

Reference Range
BhCG premenopausal F <5.3 mIU/mL
BhCG postmenopausal F <8.3 mIU/mL
BhCG NA M <2.6 mIU/mL

Critical Values

Analyte

Unit

Low

High

Age

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

CPT Codes

84702

LOINC Codes

83086-9

 

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

5 days

Refrigerated

14 days

Frozen

12 months

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

 

Test Components

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) beta subunit, Quantitative

Clinical Indications

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone that consists of 2 subunits (alpha and beta chains) that are associated to comprise the intact hormone. The alpha subunit is similar to those of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and thyrotropin (formerly thyroid-stimulating hormone). The beta subunit of hCG differs from other pituitary glycoprotein hormones, which results in its unique biochemical and immunological properties. This method quantitates the sum of intact hCG plus the beta subunit.

 

hCG is produced in the placenta during pregnancy. In nonpregnant individuals, it can also be produced by tumors of the trophoblast, germ cell tumors with trophoblastic components, and some nontrophoblastic tumors. The biological action of hCG serves to maintain the corpus luteum during pregnancy. It also influences steroid production. The serum in pregnant individuals contains mainly intact hCG. Measurement of the hCG concentration permits the diagnosis of pregnancy as early as 1 week after conception.

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) - Roche Diagnostics

Additional Information

  • Values in pregnancy should double every 2 to 3 days for the first 6 weeks.

     

    Elevated concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) measured in the first trimester of pregnancy are observed in normal pregnancy but may serve as an indication of chorionic carcinoma, hydatiform mole, or multiple pregnancy.

     

    Decreasing hCG concentrations indicate threatened or missed abortion, recent termination of pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, gestosis, or intrauterine death.

     

    Both normal and ectopic pregnancies generally yield positive results of pregnancy tests. The comparison of quantitative hCG measurements with the results of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) may aid in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. When an embryo is first large enough for the gestation sac to be visible on TVUS, the patient generally will have hCG concentrations between 1000 and 2000 IU/L. (These are literature values. Definitive values for this method have not been established at this time.) If the hCG value is this high and no sac is visible in the uterus, ectopic pregnancy is suggested. Elevated values will also be seen with choriocarcinoma and hydatiform mole.

     

    Peri- and postmenopausal females may have detectable hCG concentrations (≤ to 14 IU/L) due to pituitary production of hCG. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone measurement may aid in ruling-out pregnancy in this population. Cutoffs of greater than 20 to 45 IU/L have been suggested and are method dependent.

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

 

STAT Turnaround Time: 1 hour

Routine Turnaround Time: 4 hours

Testing Schedule: 24/7

Synonyms/Keyword Search

BhCG

Last Review Date

06/28/2024