What is hCG Hormone? hCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin. It is also known as pregnancy hormone as it is produced by the trophoblastic (more appropriately syncytiotrophoblast) cells that surrounds the embryo in...
What is hCG Hormone?
hCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin. It is also known as pregnancy hormone as it is produced by the trophoblastic (more appropriately syncytiotrophoblast) cells that surrounds the embryo in early pregnancy. Once the placenta is formed, it becomes the source of hCG hormone.
hCG can be detected in blood/plasma of pregnant females as early as 7-8 days after conception. Levels get doubled after every 2 days and peaks at 8-10 weeks of pregnancy. Then, it starts declining, reaches plateau at 16 weeks and maintained till term. It disappears from circulation after 2 weeks post-delivery of baby.
However, hCG hormone is also produced by some tumors/cancers such as choriocarcinoma. Thus, an elevated levels of hCG in non-pregnant females act as a tumor marker and points towards the diagnosis of cancers.
Beta-hCG Test in Pregnancy?
hCG is heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone. It has two subunits namely:
- Alpha subunit (α ): It is identical to some pituitary hormones such as LH (Luteinizing hormone), FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone).
- Beta subunit (β): It is unique to hCG hormone.
Thus, to avoid confusing hCG with LH and FSH (which leads to false positive results), β -hCG is evaluated for the detection of pregnancy. Beta-hCG test can be performed on urine or blood (plasma) samples for early pregnancy detection.
Other names of Beta-hCG test:
- Urine pregnancy test
- Blood pregnancy test
- β -hCG test.
Why Do I Need a beta-hCG Test?
Your health care provider or obstetrician may order a β -hCG test if you have symptoms or signs of suggestive of pregnancy such as:
- Missed periods
- Slight brownish discharge
- Nausea and Vomiting (Morning sickness)
- Fatigue
- Tenderness in breasts
- Irritability
- Increased hunger
- Lethargy
- Increased urinary frequency
- Lower abdominal pain.
What Are the Uses of Beta-hCG Test?
β -hCG test is used for screening, evaluation, detection or monitoring the of the following conditions:
- Intrauterine pregnancy.
- Failed pregnancy.
- Partial molar pregnancy.
- Complete molar pregnancy.
- Invasive mole.
- Unruptured ectopic pregnancy.
- Ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
- Missed abortion.
- Miscarriage.
- Choriocarcinoma.
- PSTT (placental site trophoblastic tumours).
- As a component of prenatal screening such as:
How Do I Prepare for Beta-hCG Test?
Follow these simple steps if you are planning for a beta-hCG test:
- Take an appointment: Fix an appointment for in a diagnostic lab having the facility of beta-hCG test to avoid waiting at the time of test or to avail home sample collection.
- Food: You can take your usual meals. Fasting is not required for beta-hCG test if done alone.
- Medications: Inform your doctor about all the drugs and supplements that you are currently taking. Certain drugs may alter the test result. Your doctor may advice some modifications before the test if required.
- Take a company: Get accompanied with a family member or friend to have physical or mental support.
What Is the Procedure for Beta-hCG Test?
The procedure for beta-hCG test depend upon the type of sample collection and may include the following steps:
- If blood sample is required:
- First a torniquet will be tied around your arm.
- Then a cotton swab soaked with 70% alcohol is used to clean/disinfect the injection site before needle insertion.
- Then a small needle will be inserted in the vein of your arm and required amount of blood is withdrawn from it and collected in a test tube.
- Then the needle is removed and an adhesive sticker is placed on the puncture site to prevent it from infections.
- Sample is sent to laboratory for further processing and testing.
- If urine sample is required:
- You will be instructed to collect urine sample in a sterile container.
- Sample is sent to laboratory for further processing and testing.
Price of beta-hCG test in Delhi?
Cost of beta-hCG test depends upon many factors such as city and locality. Different diagnostic labs charges according to the quality of machines they have and various offers that they are providing to their customers. Charges may also vary depending upon the type of beta-hCG test.
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging centre (GDIC), Rohini also known as GDIC or Ganesh lab is currently offering 50% discounts on various tests including beta-hCG test.
Our centers are NABH accredited and equipped with modern, highly expensive machines with latest cutting-edge technologies and highly skilled Radiologists and Pathologists.We follow strict aseptic conditions to prevent transmission of infections.
Charges of various types of beta-hCG test used for screening, evaluation and diagnostic purpose at Ganesh lab are as following:
Maternal Beta HCG Total Quantitative
Beta HCG Total Quantitative Random Urine
Beta - Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) Fluid
Hurry! Grab the best deals now!
For more details visit your nearest Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) today or call us now!
- To avail free online consultation with Pathologist. Click here!
- To avail free online consultation with Radiologist. Click here!
- To know details about Obstetric ultrasound or ultrasound in pregnancy. Click here!
- To know more about our services. Click here!
Best diagnostic centre for beta-hCG test in Delhi?
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is considered as the best diagnostic lab for beta-hCG test in Rohini, North-East Delhi. We have many branches in different locations of Delhi including Hari Nagar, Yamuna Vihar, Nangloi, Derawal Nagar and Mangol puri.
Ganesh lab (GDIC) is now considered one of the most popular diagnostic labs in Delhi as:
- We provide high standard quality services to our patients.
- Experience of 23+ years of services.
- Our labs are NABH certified.
- Facility of latest cutting-edge technologies.
- Well-trained technicians.
- Highly Skilled Radiologists and Pathologists.
- Genuine reporting and Patient satisfaction are our top priority.
- We offer seamless integration between diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Affordable Diagnostic lab with up to 50% discount on many tests. Currently, we are offering flat 50% discount on various types of pregnancy ultrasounds and blood tests.
- We are open 24X7 and 365 days.
- You can also avail free Consultation with our Pathologist regarding any blood test or imaging scans.
- We also offer facilities of online reporting, free home sample collection and free Ambulance services in Delhi, NCR.
- We are empanelled with various departments and organizations. So, you can get the services at panel rate too.
- Lakhs of satisfied customers.
Our empanellment with different departments and organisations:
- DAK
- CGHS NHA
- ECHS
- NDMC
- DELHI JAL BOARD
- RAILWAYS
- NDMC
- DGEHS
- BSES YAMUNA / RAJDHANI POWER LTD
- TATA POWER LTD
- BABA SAHEB AMBEDKAR HOSPITAL
- BJRM HOSPITAL
- BHAGWAN MAHAVIR GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL
To know details about our empanellment with different organisations. CLICK HERE!
For more details visit your nearest Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) today or call us now
FAQs Related To Beta-hCG Test:
Which sample is required for beta-hCG test?
β -hCG or beta-hCG test can be performed on:
- Urine
- Blood (Serum).
How long does it take for beta-hCG test reports?
β -hCG or beta-hCG test report is usually available within 24 hours of sample collection.
What are the risks/side effects of beta-hCG test?
Beta-hCG test is a safe procedure with usually no side effects. However, some individuals may experience few side effects depending upon the type of sample collection as mentioned below:
- Pain at injection site.
- Hematoma.
- Multiple punctures to locate vein in those where veins are not easily accessible.
- Bleeding at puncture site, especially patients having bleeding or clotting disorders or those on anticoagulant therapy.
- Infection at puncture site.
- Thrombophlebitis.
High levels of beta-hCG are seen in which conditions?
An elevated or high level of beta-hCG can be detected in the following conditions:
- Multi-fetal pregnancy
- Molar pregnancy
- Erythroblastosis Fetalis
- Germ cell tumours
- Choriocarcinoma
- Seminoma
- Teratoma
- Ovarian cancer
- Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
- Rh isoimmunization
- Trisomy 21/Down syndrome
- Miscalculated LMP (last menstrual period).
Low levels of beta-hCG are seen in which conditions?
A reduced or low level of beta-hCG can be detected in the following conditions:
- Blighted ovum
- Abortion
- Miscarriage
- Miscalculated LMP (last menstrual period)
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Impending abortion
- Trisomy 18/Edward syndrome.
What is the normal range of beta-hCG in men?
Levels of hCG is usually <2 mIU/mL in healthy males.
What causes an elevated level of beta-hCG in men?
High or elevated levels of beta-hCG in men is seen in testicular cancers such as seminoma. Seminoma is a germ cell tumour of the testis. An elevated level of hCG in seminoma correlates more to the presence of trophoblastic cells within the tumour rather than the stage of the tumour.
Normal report analysis of beta-hCG test?
Normal range of beta-hCG may vary slightly from lab to lab as different labs follow different references. Usually, the normal range for beta-hCG can be summarized as following:
|
Non-pregnant woman |
<5 mIU/mL |
|
Pregnant woman |
5-117,000 mIU/mL |
|
Post-menopausal women |
<9.5 mIU/mL |
Description of terms used:
mIU/mL: Milli International Units Per Milliliter.
Normal range of beta-hCG according to pregnancy weeks?
β -hCG hormone is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It doubles after every 2 days and peaks at 8-10 weeks of pregnancy. Then, it starts declining, reaches plateau at 16 weeks and maintained till term. Beta-hCG disappears from circulation after 2 weeks post-delivery of baby.
Thus, normal range of beta-hCG varies throughout pregnancy depending upon weeks of gestation which is calculated from LMP. Normal range of β -hCG in pregnancy can be summarized as:
|
Time since LMP |
hCG levels |
|
3 weeks |
5-50 mIU/mL |
|
4 weeks |
5-426 mIU/mL |
|
5 weeks |
18-7,340 mIU/mL |
|
6 weeks |
1,080-56,500 mIU/mL |
|
7-8 weeks |
7,650-229,000 mIU/mL |
|
9-12 weeks |
25,700-288,000 mIU/mL |
|
13-16 weeks |
13,300-254,000 mIU/mL |
|
17-24 weeks |
4,060-165,400 mIU/mL |
|
25-40 weeks |
3,640-117,000 mIU/mL |
Description of terms used:
mIU/mL: Milli International Units Per Milliliter.
LMP: Last Menstrual Period.
hCG: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin.
How many times does beta-hCG test is required during pregnancy?
β -hCG or beta-hCG test is usually required once or twice initially for early pregnancy detection. However, high risk females may be recommended to undergo some tests such as double marker test or triple marker test which includes further beta-hCG evaluation.
What other tests includes beta-hCG estimation?
Beta-hCG is evaluated alone or as a component of other tests such as:
- Double marker test: It measures beta-hCG and PAPP-A (Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein- A) in the maternal serum. It is usually done in 1st trimester of pregnancy.
- Triple marker test: It measures AFP, beta-hCG and unconjugated estrogen (estriol or E3) in the maternal serum. It is usually done in 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
- Quadruple marker test: It measures AFP, beta-hCG, Unconjugated estrogen (Estriol or E3) and inhibin-A in the maternal serum. It is done in 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
Urine hCG test v/s blood hCG test, which one is better?
|
Urine hCG test |
Blood/Serum hCG test |
|
|
What is urine pregnancy test?
Urine pregnancy test checks for urine beta-hCG. It can be done using kits or through urine sample examination in a diagnostic lab.
Causes of false positive urine pregnancy test?
Some of the reasons for false positive urine pregnancy test:
- Misinterpretation of result
- Germ cell tumours
- Choriocarcinoma
- Seminoma
- Teratoma
- Ovarian cancer.
Causes of false negative urine pregnancy test?
Some of the reasons for false negative urine pregnancy test:
- Very early pregnancy
- Hook effect
- Diluted urine sample.
