How is hcg measured

It can also assist in the diagnosis of abnormal pregnancies, such as ectopic pregnancies, molar pregnancies, and possible miscarriages. It is also used as part of a screening test for Down syndrome. This test is also done to diagnose abnormal conditions not related to pregnancy that can raise HCG level. In pregnancy, HCG level rises rapidly during the first trimester and then declines slightly. The expected HCG ranges in pregnant women are based on the length of the pregnancy.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test result. During pregnancy, lower than normal levels based on the gestational age may indicate:.

Diagnosis and management of cancer using serological and other body fluid markers. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; chap Jeelani R, Bluth MH. Reproductive function and pregnancy. University of Iowa Diagnostic Laboratories. Share this post:. Share on facebook Facebook. Share on twitter Twitter. Share on linkedin LinkedIn. Share on email Email. Similar Post.

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Subscribe to our week-by-week Pregnancy Newsletter. What week is your pregnancy in? Facebook-f Twitter Instagram. Pregnancy Tools. They reach their peak around 8 to 11 weeks after conception. The hCG blood test is sometimes used to screen for pregnancy before you undergo certain medical treatments that could potentially harm a developing baby.

Examples of these treatments include X-rays. Noncancerous conditions, such as cirrhosis , ulcers , and inflammatory bowel disease IBD , can also result in hCG levels being elevated.

Your doctor may order this test as part of a series of lab tests to identify the cause of certain symptoms. Although hCG is closely associated with pregnant women, the hormone can also be present in men. An hCG blood test can indicate that a man has testicular cancer. While the needle is being inserted, you may feel a brief stinging or pinching sensation, or you may not feel anything at all. When the needle is in the vein, you may feel minor discomfort or stinging. Afterward, you may experience some mild throbbing at the puncture site.

After your hCG levels have been measured in the blood sample, the results are sent to your doctor. They may request an appointment with you to discuss the results of the test. There may be a small amount of bruising where the needle was inserted. This can be minimized by applying pressure to the area for several minutes after the needle is removed. When your lab test comes back, your doctor will tell you what your hCG levels are.

If your hCG levels are outside of the normal range, it could mean a variety of things. Your doctor will help you interpret the results.

Levels of hCG that are lower than normal could mean:. The hCG test can give both false-negative results and false-positive results for pregnancy. Certain medications, including those that contain hCG, can interfere with hCG blood test results. These include fertility drugs such as Profasi, Pregnyl, and Pergonal. Test results can also be influenced by the presence of germ cell tumors.

These tumors grow in the same cells as your eggs or sperm. A high hCG level in absence of pregnancy could indicate that your doctor needs to do more testing to see if cancer is a factor. However, if the test was performed too early in the pregnancy, before your body has had time to produce enough hCG, you can get a false negative. Because hCG levels change so quickly during early pregnancy, the hCG blood test should be repeated within 48 to 72 hours to observe how the hormone level is changing.

On the other hand, hCG can be present in some nonpregnant conditions, potentially causing a false-positive hCG pregnancy test.