All Tests

The quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) blood test measures the level of hCG hormone present in a sample of your blood. HCG is a hormone that is produced during pregnancy. Your doctor may refer to the hCG quantitative test by another name, including:

quantitative serial beta-hCG test

repeat quantitative beta-hCG test

beta-hCG blood test

quantitative blood pregnancy test

In some cases, the hCG quantitative blood test may also be used to evaluate and manage certain types of cancer.

Children(1,2)

Males

Birth-3 months: < or =50 IU/L*

>3 months-<18 years: <1.4 IU/L

Females

Birth-3 months: < or =50 IU/L*

>3 months-<18 years: <1.0 IU/L

*hCG, produced in the placenta, partially passes the placental barrier. Newborn serum beta-hCG concentrations are approximately 1/400th of the corresponding maternal serum concentrations, resulting in neonate beta-hCG levels of 10-50 IU/L at birth. Clearance half-life is approximately 2-3 days. Therefore, by 3 months of age, levels comparable to adults should be reached.

Adults (97.5th percentile)

Males: <1.4 IU/

Females

Premenopausal, nonpregnant: <1.0 IU/L

Postmenopausal: <7.0 IU/L

Pediatric reference values based on:

1. Chen RJ, Huang SC, Chow SN, Hsieh CY: Human chorionic gonadotropin pattern in maternal circulation. Amniotic fluid and fetal circulation in late pregnancy. J Reprod Med 1993;38:151-154

2. Schneider DT, Calaminus G, Gobel U: Diagnostic value of alpha 1-fetoprotein and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin in infancy and childhood. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2001;18:11-26