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HCG Qualitative, Serum
Test CodeHCGQLS
Alias/See Also
Serum pregnancy test
CPT Codes
84703
Preferred Specimen
1.0 mL collected in a SST (serum seprator-gold top tube)
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Gold (SST)
Tiger top (SST)
Red top
Tiger top (SST)
Red top
Specimen Stability
Room Temperature: As soon as possible
Refrigerated: 48 hours at 2-8° C
Frozen: 20° C
Refrigerated: 48 hours at 2-8° C
Frozen: 20° C
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Samples not labeled with complete first and last name of patient and date of birth.
Methodology
Rapid chromatographic
Setup Schedule
Sun-Sat
Report Available
Same day
Reference Range
Negative - Non-pregnant women and healthy men.
Positive - Pregnant
Positive - Pregnant
Clinical Significance
For the qualitative detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in serum to aid in the early detection of pregnancy.
False negative result may occur when the levels of hCG are below the sensitivity level of the test. When pregnancy is still suspected, a first morning serum specimen should be collected 48 hours later and retested. . The hCG Combo Rapid Test detects hCG at concentrations of 10 mIU/mL or greater in serum.
Very low levels of hCG (less then 50 mIU/mL) are present in serumspecimen shortly after implantation. However, because a significant number of first trimester pregnancies terminate for natural reason, a test result that is weakly positive should be confirmed by retesting with a first morning serum specimen collected 48 hours later.
As with any assay employing mouse antibodies, the possibility exists for interference by human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) in the specimen. Specimens from patients who have received preparations of monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis or therapy may contain HAMA. Such specimen may cause false positive or false negative results.
False negative result may occur when the levels of hCG are below the sensitivity level of the test. When pregnancy is still suspected, a first morning serum specimen should be collected 48 hours later and retested. . The hCG Combo Rapid Test detects hCG at concentrations of 10 mIU/mL or greater in serum.
Very low levels of hCG (less then 50 mIU/mL) are present in serumspecimen shortly after implantation. However, because a significant number of first trimester pregnancies terminate for natural reason, a test result that is weakly positive should be confirmed by retesting with a first morning serum specimen collected 48 hours later.
As with any assay employing mouse antibodies, the possibility exists for interference by human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) in the specimen. Specimens from patients who have received preparations of monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis or therapy may contain HAMA. Such specimen may cause false positive or false negative results.
Performing Laboratory
Frederick Health Laboratory
400 W 7th Street
Frederick, MD 21701
Last Updated: May 6, 2020
