hCG, Urine

Message

Performing Lab: Hudson, Lakeview, Regions, Sartell, Westfields

Test Code

0195

Alias/See Also

Sunquest: HCGU; Pregnancy Urine, Urine pregnancy test

CPT Codes
81025

Preferred Specimen

2.0 mL first morning urine

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Random urine collection

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Room Temperature: 8 hours, Refrigerated: 72 hours
Lakeview Only: Room Temperature: 8 hours, Refrigerated: 48 hours

Methodology
Rapid Qualitative Enzyme Immunoassay

Setup Schedule

Hospital: Daily
Clinics: Monday - Friday

Report Available

Same day.

Limitations

Since HCG levels at 25 mIU/mL have been observed as early as 6 days post conception, HCG MAY be detected before a missed menses. HCG may remain detectable for a few days to several weeks after delivery, abortion, natural termination or HCG injections.

There are occasional discrepancies between the qualitative and quantitative serum results; therefore, if the qualitative result does not agree with the patient’s clinical picture, a quantitative HCG should be performed.

If a negative result is obtained, but pregnancy is suspected, another sample should be collected after 48-72 hours and retested.

While pregnancy is the most likely reason for the presence of HCG in serum and urine, elevated HCG concentrations unrelated to pregnancy have been reported in some patients. Conditions other than normal pregnancy may be associated with detectable HCG, including for example, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy. Patients with trophoblastic and nontrophoblastic disease may have elevated HCG levels; therefore, the possibility of HCG secreting neoplasms should be eliminated prior to the diagnosis of pregnancy.

Elevated hCG concentrations not associated with pregnancy are found in patients with other diseases such as tumors of the germ cells, ovaries, bladder, pancreas, stomach, lungs, and liver. This test is not intended to detect or monitor tumors or gestational trophoblastic disease.

Reference Range

Negative is less than 20 IU/L hCG for healthy nonpregnant individual.

Clinical Significance

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone secreted by the placenta during pregnancy. Conditions other than normal pregnancy that may be associated with detectable HCG include ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, trophoblastic disease and non-trophoblastic neoplasms. In ectopic pregnancy, HCG concentrations may remain below 50 mIU/mL. HCG may remain detectable for a few days to several weeks after delivery or abortion.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.