Diagnostic Use
hCG is primarily secreted by the placenta in pregnancy, peaking at around 8 weeks. The test at LabPLUS can detect the intact hCG molecule as well as the beta subunit and thus is suitable for diagnosing and monitoring pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, and threatened abortion, and as a tumour marker for trophoblastic disease (hydatidiform mole or choriocarcinoma) or other tumours.
Interpretation
PREGNANCY
- hCG level doubles every 2 days in early pregnancy.
- hCG values > 200,000 are unusual in singleton pregnancies. Values higher than this occur in twin pregnancies, molar pregnancies, and trophoblastic tumours.
- Ectopic pregnancies often have a lower than average hCG for dates and slower rate of increase.
- The half life of hCG is 12 to 48 hours. Following birth or termination of pregnancy, serum hCG returns to undetectable values within a month, in most patients, although some take longer. Persistence of hCG should raise suspicion of retained products of conception.
TUMOUR MARKER
The hCG assay used at Labplus (Roche HCG Plus Beta) is able to measure all the variant forms of hCG found in association with tumours. When monitoring patients, the hCG test must always be performed by the same laboratory (different methods may give significantly different results).
The recommended monitoring protocol is as follows: weekly monitoring until 2 consecutive specimens show non-detectable levels, then monthly monitoring for up to 12 months. The monitoring interval may then be increased to 3 to 6 months over the next year.
POSTMENOPAUSAL hCG
The normal pituitary secretes a low level of hCG, which increases after menopause in women. hCG levels up to 28 IU/L have been seen in postmenopausal women in the absence of neoplastic disease (ref 3). Pituitary hCG can be distinguished from neoplastic production by giving subjects a high-estrogen oral contraceptive pill for 3 weeks, which will suppress pituitary hCG.
END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE
hCG may be elevated in end-stage renal disease (ref. 4). The level should remain fairly constant if the patient is not pregnant. A serum progesterone level may be helpful in ruling out pregnancy.
Test Method
Performed in: LabPlus Automation
Principle: Sandwich type immunoassay with chemiluminescence detection (ECLIA)
Reagents: Roche assay
Analyser: Roche Cobas
Limitations / Interference
CAUTION: Blood hCG tests may be subject to interference from heterophilic antibodies, which may cause false positives on rare occasions. Before performing invasive procedures on the basis of this result alone, the result should be confirmed with a urine hCG test. If the hCG results do not concur with the clinical observations, contact the laboratory for help.