HCG in blood serum - quantitative

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Overview

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Results

HCG in blood serum - quantitative

Alternative Names:

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

Normal Values:

Early in pregnancy, enough HCG hormone is needed to maintain the pregnancy. Later on, the placenta produces plenty of progesterone (another hormone) to keep the uterine lining thick and able to sustain the fetus through the remainder of the pregnancy. Therefore, HCG levels rise rapidly during the first trimester of pregnancy, and then drop off somewhat thereafter.

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

Lower-than-normal levels may indicate:

fetal death
incomplete miscarriage
threatened spontaneous abortion
ectopic pregnancy

Review Date: 11/30/2004
Reviewed By: Jacqueline A. Hart, M.D., Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston, Ma.

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