1033. β-hCG total (human chorionic gonadotropin total)
Important information
*For non-pregnant women and pregnant women up to and including 4 weeks of gestation.
Description
β-hCG is a structural part of the hormone, which is normally synthesized by the placenta during pregnancy.
In case of pregnancy it is used for screening of chromosomal pathology of the fetus and neural tube defects. Elevated levels of β-hCG in men and non-pregnant women may indicate the development of cancer.
The analysis is used in the diagnosis of trophoblastic disease, ovarian and testicular cancer. It should be taken in combination with AFP, LDH, REA, CA 125 and other tumor markers.
When and who needs the test?
During pregnancy:
- suspicion of cystic drift
- large size of the uterus
- vaginal bleeding
- inexplicable weight loss
- anxiety
- rapid heartbeat
- increase in arterial pressure
- edema
- education in the pelvis, detected during ultrasound
- vaginal bleeding after childbirth, long lasting, after abortion – to exclude chorionic carcinoma
- exclusion of germinogenic tumors in men in the case of identified formations in the testicles
Biological material
- Venous blood
Preparing for a blood test
In order to exclude factors that may affect the test results, we recommend to follow the preparation rules:
- an important condition for laboratory tests is to take blood on an empty stomach.
- 6-12 hours before the test, you should avoid eating, drinking alcohol, smoking, and limit physical activity. Drinking...