In addition to medical conditions that could lead to elevated hCG levels, some cases of high hCG are the result of hCG injections. This occurs because hCG is very similar to the pituitary hormone LH, which stimulates the production of testosterone in the testes. HCG can also be used as an identifying marker during pregnancy to detect Down's Syndrome.
Certain types of cancers can produce higher-than-normal levels of hCG in both men and women. The types of cancers that can lead to elevated hCG levels include:. Measuring hCG levels in the above types of cancers can help identify tumors in the body, diagnose cancer, or evaluate how well a cancer treatment is working.
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Women's Health. Primary Care. Mental Health. More Button Icon Circle with three vertical dots. These are called germ cell tumors. HCG levels are often tested in a woman who may have tissue that is not normal growing in her uterus. The test also may be done to look for molar pregnancy or a cancer inside the uterus. Several hCG tests may be done after a miscarriage to be sure a molar pregnancy is not present. In a man, hCG levels may be measured to help see if he has cancer of the testicles.
An egg is normally fertilized by a sperm cell in a fallopian tube. Within 9 days the fertilized egg moves down the fallopian tube into the uterus. It then attaches implants to the wall of the uterus. After the fertilized egg implants, the growing placenta starts releasing hCG into your blood. Some hCG also gets passed in your urine. HCG can be found in the blood before the first missed menstrual period. This can be as early as 6 days after the egg implants.
HCG helps to keep your pregnancy going. It also affects the development of your baby fetus. Levels of hCG go up fast in the first 14 to 16 weeks after your last menstrual period. They are the highest around the 14th week following your last period. They then go down gradually. The amount that hCG goes up early in pregnancy can give information about your pregnancy and the health of your baby.
Soon after delivery, hCG can no longer be found in your blood. More hCG is released in a multiple pregnancy, such as twins or triplets, than in a single pregnancy.
Less hCG is released if the fertilized egg implants in a place other than the uterus, such as in a fallopian tube. This is called an ectopic pregnancy. The level of hCG in the blood is often used as part of a screening for birth defects in a maternal serum triple or quadruple screening test. These tests are usually done between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy to check the levels of three or four substances in a pregnant woman's blood.
The quad screen checks these substances and the level of the hormone inhibin A. The levels of these substances—along with a woman's age and other factors—help the doctor figure out the chance that the baby may have certain problems or birth defects. In some cases, screening tests are combined in the first trimester to look for Down syndrome. This screening test uses an ultrasound to measure the thickness of the skin at the back of the fetus's neck nuchal translucency.
This test works about as well as the second-trimester maternal serum quad screening. HCG urine tests are usually used for regular pregnancy testing. The test does not measure the exact amount of hCG, but it shows if hCG is present. Home versions of this test are easy to find and buy. If a urine test is done, the first urine of the day is generally the best to use because it has the highest level of hCG.
A urine sample collected at least 4 hours after you last urinated will also have high amounts of hCG. The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. An elastic band is wrapped around your upper arm. It may feel tight. You may feel nothing at all from the needle, or you may feel a quick sting or pinch. You may feel anxious while you wait for results of an hCG test done to check the health of your baby. The human chorionic gonadotropin hCG test is done to measure the amount of the hormone hCG in blood or urine to see if a woman is pregnant.
HCG may also be measured to see if cancer of the ovaries or testicles is present. These numbers are just a guide. The range for "normal" varies from lab to lab. Your lab may have a different range. Your lab report should show what range your lab uses for "normal.
So a number that is outside the normal range here may still be normal for you. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. A positive home test result is almost certainly correct, but a negative result is less reliable. If you still think you might be pregnant, do the test again or see your doctor.
If your doctor needs more information about your hCG levels, they may order a blood test. Low levels of hCG may be detected in your blood around 8 to 11 days after conception. The amount of hCG in your blood can give some information about your pregnancy and the health of your baby. One of the ways of diagnosing a multiple pregnancy is by your hCG levels.
A high level may indicate you are carrying multiple babies, but it can also be caused by other factors. They can only suggest that there are issues to look into. If you have any concerns about your hCG levels, or wish to know more, speak to your doctor or maternity healthcare professional. You can also call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Read more on Better Health Channel website. Find out what pregnancy and ovulation testing kits are available. Read more on myDr website. Read more on HealthEngine website. There are also subtle changes in your body which are symptoms of pregnancy such as changes to your breasts, and pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness and pregnancy heartburn. These changes are caused by pregnancy hormones, like hCG human chorionic gonadotropin, produced by the placenta which is the hormone detected by a pregnancy test.
Read more on Parenthub website. Starting approximately two weeks after conception, a hormone called human chorionic gonadatropin hCG hormone is produced by the developing placenta and can be detected in urine and in blood. When you are 4 weeks pregnant your body and your new baby are undergoing rapid changes.
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