CHEMISTRY
PAGE EXPIRES: June 2000
SYNONYMS: HCG, Beta-HCG, Quantitative Beta-HCG
COMPONENT TESTS:
SCHEDULE: M, W, F Turnaround Time: 3 working days
SPECIMEN AND COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS:
CAUSES FOR REJECTION: Improperly labeled specimen; gross hemolysis; gross lipemia
STORAGE AND SHIPPING: Frozen
USES: Evaluation of pregnancy. Detection of beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin; provides a sensitive and specific test for the detection of early pregnancy, diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, or early abortion; follow-up of molar pregnancy. Also used for evaluation and monitoring of male patients with testicular tumors.
NORMAL VALUES: Non-pregnant females and healthy males: <5 mIU/mL
METHOD: Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay (MEIA)
DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS: Pregnancy normally detectable 5 to 7 days post-implant. Levels during pregnancy vary, usually reaching peak levels during first trimester. The monoclonal antibodies used are highly specific for HCG and have no measurable cross reaction with LH, FSH, TSH, or HGH. There are no significant limitations.