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Test Code THCG Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), Quantitative, Pregnancy, Serum

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Serum


Ordering Guidance


For use as a tumor marker (eg, testicular cancer patients), see BHCG / Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, Quantitative, Serum.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before specimen collection do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing biotin (vitamin B7), which is commonly found in hair, skin, and nail supplements and multivitamins.

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.

2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.4 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 72 hours
  Frozen  365 days

Reference Values

Negative: <5 IU/L

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

CPT Code Information

84702

Clinical Information

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.

Report Available

Same day/1 day

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus Reject

Method Name

Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay