HCG - Serum, Quantitative
| Label Mnemonic: | HCG |
| Epic code: | LAB142 |
| Downtime form: | A-1a Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery |
Chemistry
6240 RCP
356-3527
6240 RCP
356-3527
Specimen(s):
Plasma
Collection Medium:
 |
| Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL |
Alternate
Collection Media:
Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.
Minimum:
3 mL whole blood from light green top tube or TWO
Microtainer® devices
Testing Schedule:
24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Turn Around
Time:
1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)
Reference Range:
Non-Pregnant Females: < 3 mIU/mL
Males: < 2 mIU/mL
Healthy non-pregnant peri-menopausal and post-menopausal females may
have HCG concentrations up to 8 mIU/mL
Weeks of | | HCG mIU/mL
gestation | N | Median | 5th-95th percentile
3 | 25 | 17.5 | 6 - 71
4 | 43 | 141 | 10 - 750
5 | 23 | 1,398 | 217 - 7,138
6 | 19 | 3,339 | 158 - 31,795
7 | 13 | 39,759 | 3,697 - 163,563
8 | 23 | 90,084 | 32,065 - 149,571
9 | 23 | 106,257 | 63,803 - 151,410
10 | 20 | 85,172 | 46,509 - 186,977
12 | 17 | 66,676 | 27,832 - 210,612
14 | 67 | 34,440 | 13,950 - 62,530
15 | 666 | 28,962 | 12,039 - 70,971
16 | 766 | 23,930 | 9,040 - 56,451
17 | 190 | 20,860 | 8,175 - 55,868
18 | 64 | 19,817 | 8,009 - 58,176Comments:
This assay recognizes the intact HCG "holo-hormone" produced in pregnancy as well as other forms of HCG (e.g., "nicked" HCG) that may be found in other conditions such as tumors of germ cells, ovaries, bladder, pancreas, stomach, lungs, and liver.
Heterophile antibodies present in the serum of some patients may cause a false positive result in this immunoassay. Before making the diagnosis of pregnancy or malignancy based on an unexpectedly elevated serum HCG, confirm with a urine HCG and/or contact the laboratory for assistance in ruling out interference. Results should always be assessed in conjunction with the patient's medical history, clinical examination, and other findings.
This test is also performed at the Iowa River Landing (IRL) and North Dodge clinical laboratories (for specimens drawn at those sites).
Heterophile antibodies present in the serum of some patients may cause a false positive result in this immunoassay. Before making the diagnosis of pregnancy or malignancy based on an unexpectedly elevated serum HCG, confirm with a urine HCG and/or contact the laboratory for assistance in ruling out interference. Results should always be assessed in conjunction with the patient's medical history, clinical examination, and other findings.
This test is also performed at the Iowa River Landing (IRL) and North Dodge clinical laboratories (for specimens drawn at those sites).
Test
Limitations:
Hemolysis: No significant interference up to an H index of 1000 (approximate hemoglobin concentration: 1000 mg/dL).
Lipemia: No significant interference up to an L index of 2000 (approximate triglycerides concentration: 4000 mg/dL). Note there is poor correlation between turbidity and triglyceride concentration.
Icterus: No significant interference up to an I index of 66 (approximate conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin concentration: 66 mg/dL).
No interference was observed from rheumatoid factor up to 1200 IU/mL.
No high-dose effect was observed at HCG concentrations up to 750,000 mIU/mL.
Results from this assay may be falsely decreased in patients taking high-dose biotin (>5 mg) within 12 hours of specimen collection.
Lipemia: No significant interference up to an L index of 2000 (approximate triglycerides concentration: 4000 mg/dL). Note there is poor correlation between turbidity and triglyceride concentration.
Icterus: No significant interference up to an I index of 66 (approximate conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin concentration: 66 mg/dL).
No interference was observed from rheumatoid factor up to 1200 IU/mL.
No high-dose effect was observed at HCG concentrations up to 750,000 mIU/mL.
Results from this assay may be falsely decreased in patients taking high-dose biotin (>5 mg) within 12 hours of specimen collection.
Methodology:
Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay
CPT Code:
84702
See Additional Information:
Biotin Interference with Immunoassays
Biotin Interference with Immunoassays