ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Beta-hCG, Serum Quantitative Tumor Marker : 0070029

Mnemonic: BHCG TM

Methodology: Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: Within 24 hours
Specimen Required: Collect:  One 4 mL serum separator tube. 

Storage/Transport Temperature:  1 mL serum at 2-8°C. (Min: 0.4 mL)  Submit specimen in an ARUP Standard Transport Tube.

Remarks:  Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature.  Separate serum from cells ASAP.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing):  After separation from cells: Ambient: 8 hours; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 2 months
Reference Interval:
Male: 0-3 IU/L
Female: 0-5 IU/L
Interpretive Data: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a valuable aid in the management of patients with trophoblastic tumors, nonseminomatous testicular tumors, and seminomas when used in conjunction with information available from the clinical evaluation and other diagnostic procedures. Increased serum hCG concentrations have also been observed in melanoma, carcinomas of the breast, gastrointestinal tract, lung, and ovaries, and in benign conditions, including cirrhosis, duodenal ulcer, and inflammatory bowel disease.  This result cannot be interpreted as absolute evidence of the presence or absence of malignant disease.  This result is not interpretable as a tumor marker in pregnant females.

The Siemens Immulite® 2000 BHCG chemiluminescent immunoassay has apparent recoveries of at least 75% for free beta-hCG subunit, hyperglycosylated hCG, nicked hCG, asialo hCG and hCG minus C-terminal peptide (Cole LA et al. Chem 2001;47:308-15). Results obtained with different assay methods or kits cannot be used interchangeably.  This assay is FDA cleared for use in the detection of pregnancy, but is not labeled for use as a tumor marker.
CPT Code(s): 84702
 
 

 

 

 
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