HCG is the hormone that is produced during pregnancy. It can be tested using either urine or serum. As for the one assigned to me let's talk about serum HCG determination.
There are two types of test for serum HCG determination:
1. HCG blood test - qualitative
2. HCG blood test - quantitative
HCG blood test - qualitative
Why the test is performed?
- to check if a woman is pregnant
- woman with ovarian tumors
- men with testicular tumors
Normal Results:
- it is negative if not pregnant and positive for pregnant women.
Abnormal Results:
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Miscarriage
- Testicular cancer
- Trophoblastic tumor
- Ovarian cancer
Considerations:
- If the test turned out to be negative but still there is suspicion of pregnancy it should be repeated after a week.
- A false positive result may occur after menopause or a person taking hormone supplements.
HCG blood test - quantitative
Why the test is performed?
- Quantitative test can assist in diagnosing abnormal pregnancies: ectopic, molar and miscarry.
- This test can also be use in diagnosing diseases or conditions not related to pregnancy that can make the HCG levels to raise.
Normal Results:
- After the first trimester of pregnancy, the HCG level will rise and will gradually decline.
Abnormal Results:
- Above normal results may indicate:
>choriocarcinoma
>normal pregnancy
>ovarian cancer
>testicular cancer
>more than one fetus
- Below normal results may indicate:
>fetal death
>incomplete miscarriage
>ectopic pregnancy
Considerations:
- Drugs can either decrease or increase the HCG levels which can cause false positive or false negative results.
The Positive and Negative Result
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