What Are Normal HCG Levels in Early Pregnancy?
Human choionic gonadotophin (HCG) is a glycoprotein hormone secreted by placental syncytiotrophoblast cells. Blood HCG test refers to the detection of HCG levels in serum for the diagnosis of early pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy, The diagnosis, differential diagnosis and prognosis of HCG-related diseases such as hydatidiform mole, incomplete abortion, and seminoma testis cancer provide clinical evidence.
Basic Information
- Chinese name
- Blood HCG test
- Reference
- Male and non-menopausal women, 0 5U / L
- Clinical significance
- Diagnosis of early pregnancy, etc.
Preparation for blood HCG examination
- 1. Precautions Explain the purpose, time, and precautions of the test to patients and their families. It is best to fast for 12 hours before blood collection.
2. Specimens were collected for serum, and blood samples were routinely collected using disposable vacuum blood collection tubes for later use. Separated serum, which cannot be detected immediately, can be stored at 4 ° C for 3 days or frozen at -20 ° C.
Blood HCG test operation method
- Chemiluminescence immunoassay is often used for detection. The principle is to prepare HCG monoclonal antibody, and use the specific binding reaction of antigen and antibody to calculate the HCG value of the test specimen.
Normal reference value for blood HCG test
- 0 to 5 U / L for men and non-menopausal women; 0 to 10 U / L for menopausal women; women in normal early pregnancy begin to produce HCG from 5 to 6 days after ovulation, reaching a peak at 8 to 10 weeks of pregnancy / L), and then quickly decline.
Clinical significance of blood HCG test
- 1. Diagnosis of early pregnancy: HCG is secreted by trophoblast cells immediately before implantation of fertilized eggs, and it grows rapidly in the early stage, doubling about 1.7 days, and reaching the peak of blood in 8-10 weeks. Therefore, the RIA (radioimmunoassay) method or ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method to measure -HCG levels in blood and urine is a more accurate method of early pregnancy diagnosis.
2. Incomplete abortion can cause elevated HCG concentrations.
3 HCG concentrations in the blood of patients with hydatidiform mole, chorionic epithelial cancer and teratoma were significantly increased.
4 Spermatogonial testicular cancer, the blood HCG concentration increased moderately.
5. HCG has higher diagnostic value for non-small cell lung cancer. In non-spermatogonial testicular cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and liver cirrhosis, HCG concentration can be slightly increased.
6. Detection of HCG in threatened abortion patients not only helps to understand the secretory function of placental trophoblast cells, but also provides a basis for determining clinical treatment options. Spontaneous abortion, post-term abortion, fetal malformations, and fetal intrauterine growth restriction, etc., reduce the HCG concentration in the blood.
7. Early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy: In ectopic pregnancy, the HCC content is significantly lower than that in normal pregnancy. For those suspected of having ectopic pregnancy, the detection of serum HCG can help the diagnosis.
6. Diagnosis and effect observation of trophoblastic disease: HCG concentration in blood increased significantly during trophoblastic disease. The HCG level increased in the order of benign hydatidiform mole, malignant hydatidiform mole, and chorionic epithelial cancer. The HCC value was basically parallel to the condition. Dynamic monitoring can reflect the dynamic process of cancer cell growth and degradation. After treatment, HCG levels may decrease or turn negative, and if the level of HCG increases after the negative, the possibility of recurrence or metastasis should be considered.