HCG /Beta-HCG

The Total Beta HCG is a blood test to confirm pregnancy. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin or HCG is a hormone that the placenta produced during pregnancy. The placenta provides nutrition to the foetus. HCG is first detected in the blood sample of women about 11 days after conception occurs. After that, the HCG levels continue to double in amount every 48-72 hours. The HCG level highest peak around 8-11 weeks post conception. The Total Beta HCG Test is performed in pregnant females to confirm pregnancy, ascertain the approximate age of the fetus, diagnose an abnormal pregnancy like ectopic pregnancy where the fetus grows outside the uterus, diagnose a potential miscarriage due to low levels of HCG, screen for Down syndrome and Trisomy 18 and diagnose gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) – a type of pregnancy-related tumors. The Total Beta HCG Test is also performed in males and non-pregnant females to detect cancers like ovarian cancer, Teratoma, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Testicular cancer and to detect noncancerous medical conditions like cirrhosis, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Studies show that estimating the Total Beta HCG Test values in the early second trimester of pregnancy can be a valuable indicator for gestational hypertension in the same pregnancy. Gestational hypertension is when your blood pressure rises during pregnancy. Therefore, the Total Beta HCG Test can be a powerful tool in predicting the risk of developing gestational hypertension.