Laboratory research is a powerful tool in the diagnostic process. The change in the level of the hormone( hCG) is important for determining pregnancy and tracking its course.
Since the hormone is also an oncomarker, in non-pregnant women and the male population, its level can signal health problems.
When is the survey shown?
The study is conducted to:
- early pregnancy determinations,
- monitoring of the child bearing process,
- if the abortion was performed, the analysis will help to determine how well the removal is performed;
- tracking the level of hCG allows you to draw conclusions about the usefulness of fetal development,
- analysis, observed in dynamics, reports a possible ectopic pregnancy;
- the change in the indicator is not in that order, as happens with normal pregnancy, signals a threat of miscarriage;
- assay parameters are determined for suspected cases:
- amenorrhea,
- tumor process;
- in men of dynamics of hCG level is important in determining the formations in the testicles.
What does the blood and urine test for HCG show?
The study shows the level of a hormone called chorionic gonadotropin. In pregnant women, the increase in the index is due to the fact that the fetal membranes begin to separate it.
When can I take it?
As soon as fertilization occurs in the body of a woman, her hCG level rises. But since the nature of each person has particularities, it is advisable to check the indicator on the eighth, and even better - the eleventh day from the alleged conception.
If a woman can not specify on what days there could be conception, then it is recommended to do a study on the level of hCG in the period that corresponds to the onset of 4-5 weeks after the last menstrual cycle( the count is from the first day of the cycle).
In order to see the dynamics of changes in the level of hCG, experts advise after a first analysis to conduct a few days of re-examination.
It is important that the blood sampling is in the comparative analyzes at the same time. An analysis of the indices of these studies will enable the gynecologist to make more accurate conclusions about the possible pregnancy of the patient.
Preparation of
The main conditions in order to obtain reliable indications for the analysis of hCG - a person should be on the eve( about six hours before analysis) of being calm and not eating.
The most suitable moment is the morning hours after sleep.
It is necessary to tell the expert what hormonal means the examined person takes( if he takes).It is recommended to exclude physical loads the day before the analysis.
How to take the test correctly?
To determine the level of hCG, it is necessary to examine the blood. To get the result of the analysis that would give the specialists a real picture about the health aspect of interest, it is necessary:
- fulfill the conditions for preparation of the analysis( on an empty stomach and do not load yourself with physical labor on the eve),
- choose the right time period for - it concerns the verification of early pregnancy confirmation.
If this fails to comply, then you should pay attention in which units the result is written and ask to give the key how to correlate with the previous indicator.
A woman at home can perform an analysis for the hCG in the urine. For this, the test strips are sold in the pharmacy. With their help you can find out about the fact that the pregnancy has come. But this method can not be determined with the help of test strips.
To date, for the test determination of pregnancy, there is already a variety of tests that can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Explanation of the results
The elevated level of hCG in a woman can say that her body has been conceived.
Regular blood test for hCG in a pregnant woman with no abnormalities should look like this: before the eleventh week the indicator increases, and then starts to decline.
If you compare the first two analyzes in a pregnant woman, then in the variant, when the fetus develops normally, the value of the second indicator differs from the first one by about two times.
If the first analysis indicates an increased level of hCG, and the second does not show significant differences from the first, it is concluded that there is no pregnancy. To determine the cause of the increased indicator, it is necessary to be examined further.
An increased rate in men and women who do not bear fruit may indicate such facts:
- analysis is taken from a woman who had an abortion about five days ago;
- trophoblastic disease,
- reception of agents containing hCG;
- chorion carcinoma, possibly its recurrence;
- of the teratoma of the egg,
- is a tumor process in the organs:
- of the uterus,
- of the lung,
- and in the kidneys.
If a pregnant woman has a hCG below normal, then the following versions are checked:
- ectopic pregnancy,
- fetus has developmental problems,
- should be more careful to count the gestation period, it may be determined with an error;
- threat of miscarriage.
If a woman who has a fetus with a higher hCG, then makes such assumptions:
- trophoblastic disease,
- possible error in calculating the gestational age,
- a woman carries more than one fetus,
- a future mother suffers from diabetes,
- fetal fruition longer term,
- genetic disorders in the fetus( eg Down Syndrome),
- taking medications containing a similar hormone;
- early toxicosis.
HCG norms in non-pregnant women and men
Specialists determined that the level of hCG in male and female patients( when there is no pregnancy), which is considered normal, is in the range 0 ÷ 5 mU / ml.
Pregnancy rates
During childbearing, the important indicator is not so much the magnitude of the indicator itself, but the dynamics of its changes. This is because the level of hCG depends on individual characteristics.
Exemplary indicators( in units of measurement - mU / ml) look like this:
- in the third week of pregnancy, which is counted from the first day when the menstrual cycle last passed, the hCG level can be: 25 ÷ 157;
- also in the fourth week: 101 ÷ 4870;
- also in the fifth week: 1110 ÷ 31500;
- on the sixth week: 2560 ÷ 82300;
- on the seventh week from the first day, when the last time the monthly cycle was: 23100 ÷ 152000;
- also on the eighth week: 27300 ÷ 233000;
- also in the period from the ninth week to the thirteenth week( there is some decrease in the level of indicators): 20900 ÷ 291000;
- , then a stable decrease in the hCG values is observed:
- from the thirteenth to the eighteenth week the index varies from: 6140 to 103000;
- from the eighteenth to the twenty-third week: 4720 ÷ 80100;
- and from the previous period until the end of pregnancy( thirty-one weeks): 2700 ÷ 78100.
How much time is the study done?
The hCG test is performed if the specialist finds this appropriate, throughout the gestation period.
Where can I go for a study?
The analysis for hCG is performed in laboratories that specialize in this direction.
How much is the examination?
Average cost of analysis in special laboratories is approximately 525 rubles.
Video about HCG blood test: