HCG Quantitative

Test Code

HCGQ

Alias/See Also

Pregnancy Test, Quantitative, Beta HCG

CPT Codes
84702

Preferred Specimen

Plasma Light GREEN (PST)

Other Acceptable Specimens

Serum Gold (SST)

Specimen Stability

Store samples tightly stoppered at room temperature (15 to 30⁰ C) for no longer than eight hours.
If the assay will not be completed within eight hours, refrigerate the samples at 2 to 8°C.
If the assay will not be completed within 48 hours, or for shipment of samples, freeze at -20°C or colder. Thaw samples only once.
Frozen specimens can be stored up to six months before testing.

Methodology
Beckman/Access

Setup Schedule

24x7

Reference Range

Normal Range (ie, non-pregnant or very early [pre-implantation] stage pregnancy): < 5 mIU/mL

Representative hCG ranges during normal pregnancy are summarized below.

Approximate Gestational Age (Weeks)	Approximate hCG Range (mIU/mL, IU/L)	Approximate Gestational Age (Weeks)	Approximate hCG Range (mIU/mL, IU/L)
0.2 - 1	5 - 50	4 - 5	1,000 - 50,000
1 - 2	50 - 500	5 - 6	10,000 - 100,000
2 - 3	100 - 5,000	6 - 8	15,000 - 200,000
3 - 4	500 - 10,000	8 - 12	10,000 - 100,000

Clinical Significance

The hormone is an excellent marker for pregnancy. Healthy, non-pregnant individuals have low (< 5 mIU/mL [IU/L]) to undetectable hCG levels.
During pregnancy, hCG concentrations increase as noted above and then show a gradual decrease after the first trimester.
Unusually low or rapidly declining levels may indicate an abnormal condition such as an ectopic pregnancy or impending spontaneous abortion.

Performing Laboratory
CRMC Laboratory
CCMC Laboratory

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.