Short Name: B-HCG
Sample required: Serum
Result Time: 2 HR
Pregnancy tests look for chemical markers associated with pregnancy. These markers are found in urine and blood. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is one of these markers produced by the trophoblast cells of the fertilised ovum (blastocyst). While hCG is a reliable marker of pregnancy, it cannot be detected until after implantation which might result in false negatives if the test is performed during the very early stages of pregnancy. hCG can be detected six to twelve days after fertilization. Some diseases of the liver, cancers, and other medical conditions may produce elevated hCG and thus cause a false positive pregnancy test. These include choriocarcinoma and other germ cell tumors, IgA deficiencies, heterophile antibodies, enterocystoplasties, gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD), and gestational trophoblastic neoplasms (GTN). Failure to increase normally may indicate an increased risk of miscarriage or a possible ectopic pregnancy. See B-human Chorionic Gonadotropin (B-hCG), Serum