Reference Values

Quantitative hCG Expected Values:
hCG is not normally detected in the serum of healthy men and healthy, non-pregnant females.

A negative quantitative result is <5 mIU/mL.

Pregnant females normally attain serum hCG concentrations up to 50 mIU/mL in the week following conception or the third week after LMP. A maximum is reached by the second to third month, followed by a decrease to as low as 4,000 mIU/mL by the third trimester (6-9 months).

During the first 6 weeks of pregnancy, serum hCG concentrations have a doubling time of approximately 1.5 to 3 days. Following delivery, hCG concentrations rapidly decrease and usually return to normal within several days post-partum.

Elevated serum hCG concentrations have been reported in patients diagnosed as having choriocarcinoma, hydatidiform mole; and some non-trophoblastic malignancies including testicular tumors, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer.

Values below the lower limit of normal may be associated with ectopic pregnancy or spontaneous or incomplete abortion.

<5 mIU/mL is reported as <5.
Second trimester (29-41 weeks): 940 (lower limit) or 60,000 (upper limit)

QUANTITATIVE BETA-hCG

1-200,000 mIU/mL