B-hCG, Qualitative

Access Medical Labs offers a single-biomarker blood serum lab test for B-hCG. B-hCG stands for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin. It is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. The B-hCG test is commonly used to confirm pregnancy and monitor its progression.

The B-hCG test is highly sensitive and can detect pregnancy early on, even before a missed period. It is also used to monitor the health of a pregnancy, as abnormal levels of B-hCG may indicate a potential problem, such as an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.

In addition to pregnancy, elevated levels of B-hCG can also occur with certain bowel disorders or liver cirrhosis, and with  certain types of cancer, such as testicular or ovarian cancer. Therefore, the B-hCG test may also be used to support diagnosis and monitoring of these conditions.

Access Medical Labs, as a provider of this test, would collect the samples and analyze them in their laboratory. They would then provide the results to the healthcare provider or individual who ordered the test. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to interpret the results and discuss any further actions or treatment plans.

What is B-hCG?

Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It is commonly used as a marker to detect and monitor pregnancy, as its levels increase rapidly in the early stages of pregnancy. β-hCG can be detected in blood and urine samples, and its levels can be measured through laboratory tests. 

In addition to pregnancy, abnormal levels of β-hCG may indicate certain medical conditions, such as ectopic pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic disease, or certain types of cancer.

Who should get a B-hCG test?

Patients who are ideal candidates to be tested for B-hCG (beta-human chorionic gonadotropin) include:

Pregnant women: B-hCG is commonly used as a marker to confirm pregnancy. It is detectable in the blood and urine of pregnant women and its levels increase rapidly during early pregnancy.

Women with suspected ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. B-hCG levels are monitored in these cases to help diagnose and monitor the condition.

Men with testicular cancer: Certain types of testicular cancer, such as choriocarcinoma, produce B-hCG. Testing B-hCG levels can aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of testicular cancer.

Patients with trophoblastic disease: Trophoblastic diseases are a group of rare tumors that develop from the cells that would normally form the placenta during pregnancy. B-hCG levels are often elevated in these conditions and can be used for diagnosis and monitoring.

Patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN): GTN is a type of cancer that can occur after a molar pregnancy or other types of pregnancy-related conditions. B-hCG levels are monitored to assess response to treatment and detect recurrence.

B-hCG testing should be ordered and interpreted by healthcare professionals based on the patient's clinical presentation and medical history.

What is a normal B-hCG range?

The normal range for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (B-hCG) levels can vary depending on the stage of pregnancy. In non-pregnant individuals, the B-hCG level is typically less than 5 mIU/mL.

During early pregnancy, B-hCG levels rise rapidly and can be used to confirm pregnancy. The following are approximate ranges for B-hCG levels during different stages of pregnancy:

- 1-2 weeks after conception: 25-100 mIU/mL

- 3-4 weeks after conception: 100-5000 mIU/mL

- 4-5 weeks after conception: 1000-50,000 mIU/mL

- 5-6 weeks after conception: 10,000-100,000 mIU/mL

- 6-8 weeks after conception: 15,000-200,000 mIU/mL

- 8-12 weeks after conception: 10,000-100,000 mIU/mL

- 12-16 weeks after conception: 5,000-50,000 mIU/mL

These ranges are approximate and can vary between individuals. Additionally, B-hCG levels alone are not sufficient to diagnose or monitor a pregnancy. They should be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical information and medical history.

What does high B-hCG indicate?

A high B-hCG (beta-human chorionic gonadotropin) level refers to an elevated level of the hormone in the blood. B-hCG is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It is commonly used as a marker to confirm pregnancy and monitor its progression.

In a normal pregnancy, B-hCG levels increase rapidly in the early stages and reach a peak around 8-11 weeks of gestation. After that, the levels gradually decrease and stabilize for the remainder of the pregnancy.

However, a high B-hCG level can indicate various conditions or situations, including:

Multiple pregnancies: In cases of twins, triplets, or more, B-hCG levels tend to be higher than in a singleton pregnancy.

Molar pregnancy: This is a rare condition where abnormal tissue grows in the uterus instead of a normal fetus. B-hCG levels in molar pregnancies are significantly higher than in normal pregnancies.

Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. In such cases, B-hCG levels may rise more slowly than expected for the gestational age, fall, or plateau..

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD): GTD refers to a group of rare tumors that develop from the cells that would normally form the placenta during pregnancy. These tumors can produce high levels of B-hCG.

Certain cancers: Some cancers, such as testicular, ovarian, breast or lung cancer, can produce B-hCG. Elevated B-hCG levels in non-pregnant individuals may be an indication of these cancers.

A single high B-hCG level does not provide a definitive diagnosis. Further evaluation, including ultrasound imaging and additional lab tests, may be necessary to determine the underlying cause of the elevated B-hCG level and guide appropriate treatment. Consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial for accurate interpretation and management.

What does low B-hCG indicate?

A low B-hCG (beta-human chorionic gonadotropin) level refers to a lower than normal concentration of this hormone in the blood. B-hCG is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It is typically used as a marker to confirm pregnancy and monitor its progression.

A low B-hCG level can have several possible causes:

Early pregnancy: In the early stages of pregnancy, B-hCG levels can be low. This is especially true during the first few weeks after conception. It is important to note that B-hCG levels increase rapidly during the first trimester, so a low level at this stage may not necessarily indicate a problem.

Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. In such cases, B-hCG levels may be lower than expected and rise more slowly than for a normal pregnancy. This is because the placenta is not developing in the uterus as it should.

Miscarriage: A low B-hCG level can also be a sign of a miscarriage or a failing pregnancy. In these cases, the B-hCG levels may start to decrease instead of increasing as expected.

Miscalculation of pregnancy dates: Sometimes, the estimated gestational age may be incorrect, leading to lower than expected B-hCG levels. This can happen if the woman is unsure about her last menstrual period or if there are irregularities in her menstrual cycle.

Other medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as ovarian cysts or tumors, can also cause low B-hCG levels. These conditions can interfere with the production of B-hCG by the placenta.

If a low B-hCG level is detected, further testing and evaluation may be necessary to determine the cause. This may involve repeating the B-hCG test after a few days to check for any changes in the hormone levels, as well as additional imaging or diagnostic procedures to assess the health of the pregnancy.