HCG QUANTITATIVE, BLOOD

LAB142

19485

1 mL serum

0.3 mL

Serum separator tube (SST)

Room temperature

Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days

Tues-sat

1-4 days

Gestational Age	Expected hCG Values (mIU/mL)
<1 Week	5-50
1-2 Weeks	50-500
2-3 Weeks	100-5000
3-4 Weeks	500-10000
4-5 Weeks	1000-50000
5-6 Weeks	10000-100000
6-8 Weeks	15000-200000
2-3 Months	10000-100000

The table above provides only a very rough estimate of gestational age and should be used only in conjunction with other methods for establishing gestational age. Much more reliable and accurate estimations of gestational age may be obtained by using LMP or ultrasound.

hCG may reach detectable limits within 7-10 days of conception. hCG is produced by the placenta and reaches a peak between the 7th and 10th week of gestation. hCG is a glycoprotein hormone produced by the syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta and secreted during normal pregnancy and with pathologic conditions such as hydatidiform mole, choriocarcinoma and testicular neoplasm. Order hCG, Total, Qualitative, Urine if hCG serum result is inconsistent with clinical presentation.