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BHCG Serum Quantitative
MessageThis assay is intended for early detection of pregnancy
Test Code
HCG
Alias/See Also
BHCG
CPT Codes
84702
Preferred Specimen
1.0 mL collected in a SST (serum seprator-gold top tube)
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma – Li Heparin (PST)
Plasma – Na Heparin
Plasma – EDTA (Lavender)
Tiger top (SST)
Gold top (SST) Red top
Plasma – Na Heparin
Plasma – EDTA (Lavender)
Tiger top (SST)
Gold top (SST) Red top
Transport Temperature
Room Temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 5 days at 20-24ºC
Refrigerated: 14 days at 2-8°C
Frozen: 12 months at 20°C. Freeze only once.
Refrigerated: 14 days at 2-8°C
Frozen: 12 months at 20°C. Freeze only once.
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Samples not labeled with complete first and last name and date of birth.
Grossly hemolyzed samples.
Grossly hemolyzed samples.
Methodology
Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay
Setup Schedule
Sun - Sat
Report Available
Same day
Reference Range
< 5 mIU/mL – Nonpregnant hCG levels in weeks from LMP (gestational age)*
*These numbers are just a GUIDELINE – every woman’s level of hCG can rise differently. It is not necessarily the level that matters but rather the change in the level.
| 3 weeks LMP: | 5.8 – 71.2 mIU/mL |
| 4 weeks LMP: | 9.5 – 750 mIU/mL |
| 5 weeks LMP: | 217 – 7,138 mIU/mL |
| 6 weeks LMP: | 158 – 31,795 mIU/mL |
| 7 – 8 weeks LMP: | 3,697 – 149,571 mIU/mL |
| 9 – 12 weeks LMP: | 63,803 – 210,612 mIU/mL |
| 14 – 16 weeks LMP: | 13,950 – 56,451 mIU/mL |
| 17 – 18 LMP: | 8,175 – 58,176 mIU/mL |
| Postmenopausal: | <8.3 mIU/mL |
Clinical Significance
The assay is intended for the early detection of pregnancy. HCG is produced in the placenta during pregnancy. In non-pregnant women, it can also be produced by tumors of the trophoblast, germ cell tumors with trophoblastic components and some non-trophoblastic tumors. The biological action of hCG serves to maintain the corpus luteum during pregnancy. It also influences steroid production. The serum of pregnant women contains mainly intact hCG. Measurement of the hCG concentration permits the diagnosis of pregnancy just one week after conception. The determination of hCG in the 1st trimester of pregnancy is of particular importance.
Highly elevated values here can indicate chorionic carcinoma, hydatiform mole or multiple pregnancy. Depressed values indicate threatening or missed abortion, ectopic pregnancy, gestosis or intra-uterine death. 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.
Highly elevated values here can indicate chorionic carcinoma, hydatiform mole or multiple pregnancy. Depressed values indicate threatening or missed abortion, ectopic pregnancy, gestosis or intra-uterine death. 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.
Performing Laboratory
Frederick Health Laboratory
400 W 7th Street
Frederick, MD 21701
Last Updated: May 6, 2020
