What is quantitative beta hCG?
What does hCG beta subunit Quant mean? Beta human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy, and is typically detected in the blood. A beta HCG test is a blood test used to diagnose pregnancy, and usually becomes positive around the time of the first missed period. Click to see full answer.
What is normal for quantitative HCG?
· In contrast, the beta hCG is a quantitative test, meaning it reveals not just that the hormone is present in the blood, but in exactly what amounts. Levels of hCG are measured in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/ml). 4 When Beta-hCG Tests Are Used
What are beta hCG levels?
A quantitative test (or beta) measures the amount of hCG actually present in the blood. Guideline to hCG levels in weeks during pregnancy * These numbers are just a guideline – every woman’s level of hCG can rise differently. It is not necessarily the level that matters, but rather the change in the level. What Does a Low hCG Level Mean?
Is beta hCG qualitative or quantitative?
· The beta hCG levels are also measured using a test known as quantitative hCG testing. This test measures the quantity of hCG in your urine in terms of mIU/mL or IU/L. The following beta hCG values will be used to detect whether you are pregnant. Negative: less than 5 IU/L. Indeterminate: 5 to 25 IU/L. Positive: greater than 25 IU/L
What level of beta hCG indicates pregnancy?
An hCG level of less than 5 mIU/mL is considered negative for pregnancy, and anything above 25 mIU/mL is considered positive for pregnancy. An hCG level between 6 and 24 mIU/mL is considered a grey area, and you'll likely need to be retested to see if your levels rise to confirm a pregnancy.
What is the normal range of beta hCG levels?
Normal Results Results are given in milli-international units per milliliter (mUI/mL). Normal levels are found in: Non-pregnant women: less than 5 mIU/mL. Healthy men: less than 2 mIU/mL.
What does beta hCG Quant mean?
In contrast, the beta hCG is a quantitative test, meaning it reveals not just that the hormone is present in the blood, but in exactly what amounts. Levels of hCG are measured in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/ml).
What is a good first beta hCG level?
With detailed statistical analysis (ROC curve) they concluded that an hCG level of 76 mIU/mL was a suitable cut-off point for predicting viable pregnancy with 80% sensitivity and 82% specificity. The positive predictive value for a viable pregnancy at this level was 87% and the negative predictive value was 74%.
How do I read my beta hCG report?
The best way to confirm a pregnancy is by completing a hCG blood test. This test is often also called a beta-hCG test, with beta referring to the beta protein found on the hCG hormone....Quantitative hCG table.Gestational ageAmount of hCG detected in the blood25 to 40 weeks pregnant3.640 a 117.000 mlU/ml9 more rows
At what hCG level will I miscarry?
In the event of a miscarriage, hCG levels typically decrease from previous measurements. For example, a baseline level of 120 mIU/mL that's dropped to 80 mIU/mL two days later can indicate the embryo is no longer developing and the body isn't producing more hormones to support its growth.
What is a normal hCG level at 5 weeks?
Standard hCG levelsPregnancy weekStandard hCG range5 weeks18–7,340 mIU/mL6 weeks1,080–56,500 mIU/mL7–8 weeks7,650–229,000 mIU/mL9–12 weeks25,700–288,000 mIU/mL5 more rows
What is a good hCG level at 4 weeks?
Typical hCG Results 4 weeks: 5 - 426 mIU/ml. 5 weeks: 18 - 7,340 mIU/ml. 6 weeks: 1,080 - 56,500 mIU/ml. 7 - 8 weeks: 7, 650 - 229,000 mIU/ml.
What is the Beta hCG level at 4 weeks?
The average levels of hCG in a pregnant woman's blood are: 3 weeks: 6 – 70 IU/L. 4 weeks: 10 - 750 IU/L. 5 weeks: 200 - 7,100 IU/L.
What is the hCG level for twins at 4 weeks?
(Spoiler alert: While higher levels of hCG can indicate twin pregnancy, it is by no means definitive. You're going to want to get an ultrasound to know for sure.)...Understanding hCG.Weeks from last menstrual periodNormal hCG levels (mIU/mL)40–7505200–7,0006200–32,00073,000–160,0005 more rows•Feb 29, 2020
Does a high hCG level mean a strong pregnancy?
As with low levels, high levels of hCG do not necessarily indicate a problem with a pregnancy. Some women simply have higher levels. If a woman has high hCG levels, it could point to twins or triplets, though only a scan can confirm this.
How long does it take for a high HCG to be checked?
A high level of hCG can also mean a number of things and should be rechecked within 48-72 hours to evaluate changes in the level. A high level can indicate:
How often does hCG increase?
What You Need to Know About hCG Levels: As you get further along in pregnancy and the hCG level gets higher, the time it takes to double can increase to about every 96 hours. Caution must be used in making too much of hCG numbers. A normal pregnancy may have low hCG levels and result in a perfectly healthy baby.
Does HCG interfere with hCG?
Medications that contain hCG may interfere with hCG levels, as well.
When do hormone levels return to normal after a miscarriage?
Most women can expect their levels to return to a non-pregnant range about 4 – 6 weeks after a pregnancy loss has occurred. This can differentiate by how the loss occurred (spontaneous miscarriage, D & C procedure, abortion, natural delivery) and how high the levels were at the time of the loss.
Can you check your HCG if you have a miscarriage?
It’s not common for doctors to routinely check your hCG levels unless you are showing signs of a potential problem. A health care provider may recheck your levels if you are bleeding, experiencing severe cramping, or have a history of miscarriage.
Can you date a pregnancy with hCG?
The hCG levels should not be used to date a pregnancy since these numbers can vary so widely. There are two common types of hCG tests. A qualitative test detects if hCG is present in the blood. A quantitative test (or beta) measures the amount of hCG actually present in the blood.
Can you date a pregnancy with a single HCG reading?
A single reading is not enough information for most diagnoses. When there is a question regarding the health of the pregnancy, multiple testings of hCG done a couple of days apart give a more accurate assessment of the situation. The hCG levels should not be used to date a pregnancy since these numbers can vary so widely.
When is HCG measured?
Why the Test is Performed. HCG appears in the blood and urine of pregnant women as early as 10 days after conception. Quantitative HCG measurement helps determine the exact age of the fetus.
What is the definition of HCG?
Definition. A quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) test measures the specific level of HCG in the blood. HCG is a hormone produced in the body during pregnancy. Other HCG tests include:
When does HCG level rise?
In pregnancy, HCG level rises rapidly during the first trimester and then declines slightly. The expected HCG ranges in pregnant women are based on the length of the pregnancy. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test result.
How many subunits does beta hCG have?
Although it is commonly known as beta hCG, this hormone has two subunits:
What are the subunits of HCG?
Although it is commonly known as beta hCG, this hormone has two subunits: 1 α-subunit (alpha)#N#It can be found in other hormones secreted by the pituitary gland such as the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) hormone, or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).#N#β-subunit (beta)#N#It is only present in this hormone, and for this reason is the subunit that can be detected by pregnancy tests.
How long after OPU to read beta hCG results?
How to read beta hCG results. Generally, in IVF treatments, women are recommended to wait for 10 to 15 days after ovum pick-up (OPU) to take a pregnancy test and get accurate results. This is the reason why this period of time is known as two-week wait, often abbreviated as 2WW.
When does beta hCG level rise?
Beta hCG levels in pregnancy. hCG is detectable during the entire course of pregnancy, but the values keep on varying as the baby grows. Since it kicks in, and throughout the first trimester of pregnancy, hCG levels rise until they peak and level off at week 12-14. By this time, they can reach up to 200,000 mIU/ml.
What is a quantitative HCG test?
As for quantitative tests, there exist a series of values used as a reference to find out whether a woman is pregnant or not, and the number of weeks in case the test is positive.
Can pregnancy test detect a subunit of a hormone?
It is only present in this hormone, and for this reason is the subunit that can be detected by pregnancy tests.
Why is HCG considered a pregnancy hormone?
hCG is often referred to as the pregnancy hormone because women only produce it during pregnancy, particularly in the placenta by the syncytiotrophoblast.
What is the difference between a beta hCG and a quantitative hCG?
Qualitative testing: Also known as the urine pregnancy test, the qualitative beta hCG test is the over-the-counter pregnancy test that only indicates whether you are pregnant. Quantitative testing: It measures the amount of the hormone present in the blood. A blood sample will be collected ...
What does it mean when you have a positive beta hCG?
What is a positive beta hCG level? A positive beta hCG levels means that you are pregnant . The hCG level depends on how far along a woman is in her pregnancy. A positive beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level usually means that you are pregnant. Pregnancy tests detect the hCG hormone in the blood and urine.
Can a positive HCG test confirm pregnancy?
Serum hCG. A doctor usually orders a beta hCG blood test to confirm pregnancy after a positive urine pregnancy test. It is important to note that an ectopic pregnancy may also cause the test to be positive. This is a dangerous condition requiring urgent medical intervention.
What is quantitative testing?
Quantitative testing: It measures the amount of the hormone present in the blood. A blood sample will be collected from your vein and sent to the laboratory to check the blood levels of beta hCG. It is also known as. A doctor usually orders a beta hCG blood test to confirm pregnancy after a positive urine pregnancy test.
What is the function of chorionic gonadotropin?
Its function is to nourish the egg after it has been fertilized. The hCG level reaches its peak anywhere between 9 and 12 weeks of pregnancy.
What does the indeterminate value mean in pregnancy?
The indeterminate value represents the grey area. The beta hCG levels will be tested multiple times during the pregnancy to confirm a healthy pregnancy. High beta hCG levels may be observed in twin pregnancy or in a type of cancer called choriocarcinoma. The beta hCG levels are matched against the chart given below.
Is an ultrasound more reliable than a beta hCG?
An ultrasound done at 5 to 6 weeks is more reliable than the beta hCG blood test. The doctor will probably ask you to undergo beta Hcg level testing not once but multiple times during the pregnancy. The hCG level is not a completely accurate way to date a pregnancy because these numbers can vary so widely.
What is the blood test for beta subunit hCG?
Blood quantitive test for beta-subunit hCG use techniques called a chemiluminescent or fluorimetric immunoassay technqiues that can detect βhCG levels as low as 5 mIU/ml and allows high accurate quantification of the βhCG concentration.
What does beta mean in HCG?
What does β beta subunit means? HCG hormone is heterodimeric protein, with an α (alpha) subunit identical to that of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and β (beta) subunit that is unique to hCG. Learn when to take pregnancy test?
When does hCG level change?
Total hCG levels may vary in a very wide range within the first 4 weeks of gestation, leading to false results during this period of time.
Which is more accurate, HCG or urine?
Serum quantitative HCG measurement is the most accurate than urine, but many error factors could alter the results.
Does HCG induce ovulation?
Because of its similarity to LH, hCG can also be used clinically to induce ovulation in the ovaries as well as testosterone production in the testes.
Is HCG a placental link?
Not proven jobs of B-hCG: HCG may be a placental link for the development of local maternal immun otolerance, the matter will lead to expedite fetal development in the endometrium.HCG levels are linked to the severity of morning sickness in pregnant women.
Why is HCG important for the first trimester?
HCG hormone protecting the fetus during the first trimester from the immune cells of the mother because the BHCG horomone has a strong negative charge.
What is the function of hCG-beta?
Its main function is to stimulate your corpus luteum, a structure created when your ovary releases an egg, to continue to produce estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are very important for maintaining the endometrial lining.
How often does hCG double?
In general, hCG-beta numbers double every 2 to 3 days in around 85% of healthy pregnancies up to an hCG-beta level of around 1200 mIU/mL. After this point, the doubling time increases to 3 to 4 days and then over approximately 6000 mIU/mL, the doubling time will be over 96 hours.
What does it mean when your HCG is high?
On the other extreme end of the spectrum, if your hCG-beta numbers are sky-high, then this could mean that you have what is called a molar pregnancy. This type of pregnancy is caused by an error occurring during fertilization of the egg by the sperm.
What does it mean when your HCG is not doubling?
If your hCG-beta is not doubling as it should in the first few weeks of pregnancy, it could mean several things. One possibility is that your pregnancy is ectopic – that is, outside of the uterus (e.g. a fallopian tube). One of the main characteristics of an ectopic pregnancy is a slow-to-rise hCG-beta (although not in all cases).
How long does it take for hCG to be detected?
Levels of hCG-beta are detectable in blood tests at around 11 days after conception and around 12-14 days after conception in urine tests. As you can see, the levels can vary widely between women at any given time point.
What hormone is used to test for pregnancy?
In the first few weeks, this usually involves testing of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin-beta, or hCG-beta for short. This is the same hormone that home pregnancy tests measure. However, your home pregnancy test is just a qualitative test and only tells you whether you are pregnant or not. The hCG-beta test that your doctor will order ...
Can a molar pregnancy cause high HCG?
Luckily, molar pregnancies are extremely rare. Another less insidious and much more common reason for high hCG-beta levels is a twin pregnancy, although the levels will not get as high as they would for a molar pregnancy. Additionally, if your baby is a girl, your hCG-beta levels will tend to be on the high side.
What does IU/L mean in pregnancy test?
beta quantitative. Women ask for what does IU/l or miu/ml means in pregnancy test? Iu/l means how much units of pregnancy hormone are found in each liter of your blood, similarly the miu/ml is the smaller unit of iu/l, which “m” means “micro”, “iu” means “international unit or just unit”, “L” means “liter”, “ml” means milliliter”, ...
What does "quantitative" mean in blood test?
Quant. : stands for “quantitative” means “by numbers or by count. Qual. : means “qualitative”, qualitative test is carried to know whether the hormone found or not, i.e. “Positive or Negative Results”. What is a quantitative HCG blood test?
What is the role of chorionic gonadotropin?
What is the role of human chorionic gonadotropin HCG? HCG is the hormone directly measure the progression of pregnancy. HCG is a short code for “human Chorionic Gonadotropin”. Human: means it’s specific for human female or male. Chorionic: related to chorion, the part of the women which carry the fetus inside her.
What does the column on the left of the ovulation chart mean?
The column on the left represents the period of gestation by weeks post last menstrual period, sometimes reported in the days past ovulation “DPO”. The column on the right usually contains the expected normal counts of HCG hormone for each period.
What is a quantitative HCG test?
A quantitative hCG test may be ordered when a healthcare practitioner suspects that a person may have gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) or a germ cell tumor due to the person’s clinical presentation, signs and symptoms.
What is the hCG test?
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone, made up of an alpha and beta subunit, that is produced by the placenta and normally is only measurable during pregnancy. Some abnormal tissues, tumors, and cancers, however, may also produce hCG, making the hCG test useful as a tumor marker. This test measures the amount of intact hCG, and sometimes the beta subunit of hCG, in the blood.
What does it mean when a lab test is not meaningful?
Laboratory test results are not meaningful by themselves. Their meaning comes from comparison to reference ranges. Reference ranges are the values expected for a healthy person. They are sometimes called “normal” values. By comparing your test results with reference values, you and your healthcare provider can see if any of your test results fall outside the range of expected values. Values that are outside expected ranges can provide clues to help identify possible conditions or diseases.
Where to find reference ranges for lab results?
The reference ranges for your tests can be found on your laboratory report. They are typically found to the right of your results.
What does it mean when your HCG is falling?
During treatment for GTD or a germ cell tumor, a falling hCG level generally indicates that the condition is responding to treatment (approximately 50% decrease expected every 1.5 days), while persistent or rising levels may indicate that it is not responding to therapy. An increased hCG level after treatment may indicate a recurrence of disease.
What does elevated HCG mean?
When the test is used as a tumor marker, an elevated hCG level may mean that an individual has a germ cell tumor or gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).
Is hCG a tumor marker?
When testing hCG as a tumor marker, unlike detecting pregnancy, it is important to measure the intact (alpha + beta subunits) form of hCG. There may be some benefit to also measuring the beta-subunit of hCG in certain tumors, and different labs will detect intact and βhCG differently. For this reason, it is very important to continue to use the same lab when monitoring GTD or germ cell tumors.
Definition
Alternative Names
- Serial beta HCG; Repeat quantitative beta HCG; Human chorionic gonadotropin blood test - quantitative; Beta-HCG blood test - quantitative; Pregnancy test - blood - quantitative
How The Test Is Performed
- A blood sample is needed. This is most often taken from a vein. The procedure is called a venipuncture.
How The Test Will Feel
- When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why The Test Is Performed
- HCG appears in the blood and urine of pregnant women as early as 10 days after conception. Quantitative HCG measurement helps determine the exact age of the fetus. It can also assist in the diagnosis of abnormal pregnancies, such as ectopic pregnancies, molar pregnancies, and possible miscarriages. It is also used as part of a screening test for Down syndrome. This test i…
Normal Results
- Results are given in milli-international units per milliliter (mUI/mL). Normal levels are found in: 1. Non-pregnant women: less than 5 mIU/mL 2. Healthy men: less than 2 mIU/mL In pregnancy, HCG level rises rapidly during the first trimester and then declines slightly. The expected HCG ranges in pregnant women are based on the length of the pregnancy. 1. 3 weeks: 5 - 72 mIU/mL 2. 4 week…
What Abnormal Results Mean
- Higher than normal level may indicate: 1. More than one fetus, for example, twins or triplets 2. Choriocarcinomaof the uterus 3. Hydatidiform moleof the uterus 4. Ovarian cancer 5. Testicular cancer(in men) During pregnancy, lower than normal levels based on the gestational age may indicate: 1. Fetal death 2. Incomplete miscarriage 3. Threatened spontaneous abortion(miscarri…
Risks
- Risks of having blood drawn are slight, but may include: 1. Excessive bleeding 2. Fainting or feeling lightheaded 3. Blood accumulating under the skin (hematoma) 4. Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
References
- Jain S, Pincus MR, Bluth MH, McPherson RA, Bowne WB, Lee P. Diagnosis and management of cancer using serological and other body fluid markers. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017:chap 74. Jeelani R, Bluth MH. Reproductive function and pregnancy. In: McPherson RA, Pin…
Beta-Hcg Hormone Tests
Beta-Hcg Reference Values
- The hCG hormone is present in a woman's body throughout pregnancy, but its levels vary as the pregnancy progresses. Thus, reference intervals are established for the hCG hormone value in blood according to the weeks of pregnancy (from the date of the last menstrual periodor LMP): 1. 9-130 mIU/ml: 3-4 weeks pregnant 2. 75-2600 mIU/ml: 4-5 weeks pregnant 3. 850-20800 mIU/ml…
When Is The Pregnancy Test Reliable?
- In the natural search for pregnancy, the ideal is to wait to perform the pregnancy test until the first delay of menstruation or 15 days after sexual intercourse. In the case of assisted reproduction treatments, it is generally recommended to wait about 10-15 days after the embryo transfer or artificial insemination (AI) to do the pregnancy test so that the result is reliable. This period of ti…
False Positives and False Negatives
- In some cases, the result of the pregnancy test may be erroneous. This is known as false negative and false positiveresults: False negative 1. in both natural pregnancyand in cases of assisted reproduction, if the test is done too early, the hormone may not be detected because it is still at very low levels. Therefore, it will be necessary to wait for the appropriate day to obtain a reliable …
What Happens If Hcg Values Are abnormal?
- When performing the quantitative beta-hCG test, a woman may be found to have a result above or below the reference value for the gestational period she is in. If the deviation (more or less) is small, there is no need to be overly alarmed: beta values can vary greatly among women. However, if the deviation is very large, it is possible that the woman is facing one of the followin…
FAQs from Users
- What does a positive beta, but low hCG levels mean? Am I going to have an abortion?
HCG is a hormone that is produced specifically in the trophoblast (the structure that will later give rise to the placenta) and that maintains the corpus luteum so that it continues to produce hormones that, in turn, will maintain gestation. It is made up of two subunits, the alpha subunit … - Are beta-hCG values equal in a multiple pregnancy?
No, when there is a multiple pregnancy, beta hCG values are higher. Therefore, there may also be greater symptomatology (nausea, malaise, or drowsiness) during the first trimester of pregnancy. While a value of 200 mIU/ml would be normal at 2-3 weeks in a singleton pregnancy, in a multipl…
Recommended Readings
- If you are interested in reading more about the hCG hormone, we recommend you to visit this link: What is hCG hormone or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin? On the other hand, if you wish to obtain more detailed information about when to take a pregnancy test, you can read the following article: When to take a pregnancy test to be reliable?