HCG Serum, Qualitative

Test Code

PREG

Alias/See Also

HCG, Serum Screen, Pregnancy Test,Serum HCG, Serum Pregnancy

CPT Codes
84703

Preferred Specimen

Serum Gold (SST)

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL Serum

Specimen Stability

Serum may be stored for 72 hours at 2-8°C or frozen –20°C for up to 3 months prior to assay. Do not freeze and thaw sample repeatedly.

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Grossly hemolyzed samples should not be used.

Methodology

Qualitative chromatographic Immunoassay

Setup Schedule

24x7

Reference Range

Normal, Non-Pregnant: Negative

NOTES:
Negative test results in patients suspected to be pregnant should be retested with a sample obtained 48-72 hours later, or by performing a quantitative assay.
Borderline samples (those showing a very faint line in the test region) that later test negative may be attributed to falling hCG levels following a spontaneous or induced abortion.

Clinical Significance

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone secreted by the developing placenta shortly after fertilization. In normal pregnancy, hCG can be detected in serum and urine as early as 7 days following conception The concentration of hCG continues to rise rapidly, frequently exceeding 100 mIU/mL by the first missed period and peaking in the 100 - 200 mIU/mL range by 10-12 weeks into pregnancy. T

Rapid urine HCG tests can detects the presence of hCG in a qualitative format sensitive to 20 mIU/mL in urine and 10 mIU/mL in serum.

Performing Laboratory
CRMC Laboratory
CCMC Laboratory
FHSH Laboratory
CCI 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.