Total HCG, Quantitative (hCG)
Tube Type
| Test ID |
LAB143 |
| EPIC Order |
HCG QUANTITATIVE, BLOOD |
| CPT Code(s) |
84702 |
| Group/Individual Test |
Individual |
| Laboratory |
Core |
| Tube Station |
Routine: 30; STAT: 888 |
| Specimen |
Rountine: |
1 ml blood/green lithium heparin gel tube. Also acceptable gold SST or red plain tube |
| Micro: |
200µL blood/mint green top bullet/gold top/red top |
| Stability |
Unspun: |
<4 hrs is recommended |
| Spun: |
Room Temp: <8 hrs
Refrigerated: <48 hours
Frozen: <30 days |
| Availability |
24 hrs/day |
| Turnaround Time |
STAT: 1 hour; Routine: 2 hours |
| Reference Range |
Total hCG |
Female (mIU/mL) |
| Non-Pregnant |
<4.2 |
| Post- and Peri-menopausal |
1.8-10.1 |
| Comment |
- Heterophilic antibodies may cause interference.
- Serum hCG increases with age in nonpregnant women. A cutoff of 14.0 IU/L should be used when interpreting hCG results in women >55 yrs. Pregnancy is unlikely in perimenopausal women 41-55 yrs with an hCG between 5.0 and 14.0 mIU/mL if serum FSH is >20.0IU/L.
- During pregnancy, hCG increases exponentially for 8-10 weeks after conception and begins falling at approximately 12 weeks. Week-to-week hCG levels during pregnancy show significant overlap and are not a reliable means of determining gestational age.
- This test is not intended for use other than to aid in early detection of pregnancy.
- This test is performed using the Siemens Atellica IM ThCG immunoassay. Different assays are not interchangeable.
|
Reviewed by J. Carr on January 05, 2026
