BETA hCG QUANT
Test Code: LAB143
Synonym
Chorionic Gonadotropin Quant; HCG Beta, BHCG; Quant; Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Quant; Beta HCG, Quantitative; Intact HCG & Free Beta Subunits
Specimen Type
Serum or lithium heparin plasma
Alternate Specimen Type
Serum from plain red top. Lithium heparin plasma from plain green top.
Specimen Container
SST or PST
Preferred Volume
0.5 mL serum or plasma
Minimum Collection Volume
0.3 mL serum or plasma
Specimen Handling
Separate serum or plasma from cells.
Limitations
For serum samples, it is important to ensure complete clot formation before centrifugation as the presence of fibrin may cause erroneous results. The use of plasma is recommended for STAT testing to avoid this delay.
Unacceptable Conditions
Gross hemolysis or lipemia.
Temperature
Refrigerated
Methodology
Chemiluminescent
Stability
Room Temp 8 hours Refrigerated 48 hours Frozen (-20 °C) Acceptable, separated from cells and gel. Thaw only once.
Schedule
Daily, all shifts
Place of Service
Sacred Heart Medical Center
Department
PSHMC Chemistry
Additional Information
1) The degradation half-life for HCG is 1 day following surgical removal of ectopic pregnancy or trophoblastic tissue.
2) For interpretation in ectopic pregnancy evaluation, hCG GT or equal to 100,000 mIU/mL and Progesterone GT or equal to 25.00 ng/mL suggest probable viable intrauterine pregnancy. Progesterone LT or equal to 5.00 ng/mL or abnormal rising hCG suggests ectopic or non-viable pregnancy. Progesterone GT 5.00 but LT 25.00 is inconclusive, correlate with ultrasound.
3) This method detects whole molecule (intact) and free beta HCG subunits. It is calibrated to the WHO 4th International Standard.
4) Minimum detectable: 0.5 mIU/mL.
5) Very low levels of hCG do not rule out pregnancy. Low levels of hCG can occur in apparently healthy, nonpregnant subjects. Because hCG values double approximately every 48 hours in a normal pregnancy, patients with very low levels should be redrawn after 48 hours. Post-menopausal specimens may elicit weak positive results unrelated to pregnancy, but also should be redrawn in 48 hours or tested with a qualitative urine pregnancy test.
6) This test is not suitable as a tumor marker and should not be used in the diagnosis of any abnormal condition not related to pregnancy. BHCG Tumor Marker testing is available, see BETA HCG QUANTITATIVE, TUMOR MARKER [LAB752-hCG, Beta Subunit, Qnt].
7) Some interferences such as certain heterophile antibodies have been documented. Patients receiving Mouse Monoclonal Antibodies should not be tested by this method. 8) For diagnostic purposes, HCG results should be interpreted in conjunction with clinical findings. If HCG results are not consistent with clinical data, results should be confirmed by an alternate method such as qualitative testing of urine. The absence of urinary HCG may suggest a falsely elevated serum/plasma result. [LAB437-U Preg Lab
2) For interpretation in ectopic pregnancy evaluation, hCG GT or equal to 100,000 mIU/mL and Progesterone GT or equal to 25.00 ng/mL suggest probable viable intrauterine pregnancy. Progesterone LT or equal to 5.00 ng/mL or abnormal rising hCG suggests ectopic or non-viable pregnancy. Progesterone GT 5.00 but LT 25.00 is inconclusive, correlate with ultrasound.
3) This method detects whole molecule (intact) and free beta HCG subunits. It is calibrated to the WHO 4th International Standard.
4) Minimum detectable: 0.5 mIU/mL.
5) Very low levels of hCG do not rule out pregnancy. Low levels of hCG can occur in apparently healthy, nonpregnant subjects. Because hCG values double approximately every 48 hours in a normal pregnancy, patients with very low levels should be redrawn after 48 hours. Post-menopausal specimens may elicit weak positive results unrelated to pregnancy, but also should be redrawn in 48 hours or tested with a qualitative urine pregnancy test.
6) This test is not suitable as a tumor marker and should not be used in the diagnosis of any abnormal condition not related to pregnancy. BHCG Tumor Marker testing is available, see BETA HCG QUANTITATIVE, TUMOR MARKER [LAB752-hCG, Beta Subunit, Qnt].
7) Some interferences such as certain heterophile antibodies have been documented. Patients receiving Mouse Monoclonal Antibodies should not be tested by this method. 8) For diagnostic purposes, HCG results should be interpreted in conjunction with clinical findings. If HCG results are not consistent with clinical data, results should be confirmed by an alternate method such as qualitative testing of urine. The absence of urinary HCG may suggest a falsely elevated serum/plasma result. [LAB437-U Preg Lab
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