What is HCG?
HCG is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It is used to maintain the corpus luteum. This produces the hormones progesterone and estrogens and prevents menstrual bleeding and rejection of the unborn child. The determination of HCG is therefore used to detect pregnancy (pregnancy test).
When is the HCG value determined?
With HCG, the doctor can detect a pregnancy, he can determine whether an early miscarriage (abortion) has occurred or whether the egg has nested outside the uterus (extrauterine pregnancy). The determination of the HCG level is also part of the first trimester screening (early screening), which is used to detect abnormalities in the child (such as chromosomal defects).
HCG is also determined as a tumor marker when certain types of cancer are suspected in men and women.
HCG standard values
HCG concentration is determined from blood serum or urine.
A pregnancy test (urine test) is positive if the amount of HCG is more than 10 units per liter (U/l) – the woman is probably pregnant.
|
Week of pregnancy (SSW) |
Time after conception |
Normal value (serum) |
|
1st week |
5 – 50 U/l |
|
|
2nd week |
50 – 500 U/l |
|
|
3. week |
100 – 5,000 U/l |
|
|
4. week |
500 – 10,000 U/l |
|
|
5. week |
1.000 – 50.000 U/l |
|
|
6. week |
10.000 – 100.000 U/l |
|
|
9TH + 10TH SSW |
7th + 8th week |
15.000 – 200.000 U/l |
|
11 – 14 SSW |
2nd – 3rd month |
10.000 – 100.000 U/l |
|
2nd trimester |
8,000 – 100,000 U/l |
|
|
3rd trimester |
5.000 – 65.000 U/l |
For HCG as a tumor marker, the following standard values apply to non-pregnant women, men and children:
|
Serum |
Urine |
|
|
HCG standard value |
< 10 U/l |
< 20 U/l |
When is the HCG value too low?
A downward deviation does not occur for this value.
When is the HCG value too high?
During pregnancy, the HCG value is naturally elevated. However, a too slow HCG rise here can indicate a miscarriage or extrauterine pregnancy. If the HCG level does not drop after the 10th week of pregnancy, the child may have trisomy 21 = Down syndrome.
