Category
SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.
Sub Category
ENDOCRINE; TUMOR MARKER
Synonyms/Aliases
BETA HCG
Abbreviations
ß HCG
Type
INDIVIDUAL TEST
Results
RESULTS READY/ REPORTED IN 3 HOURS
Method
IMMUNOASSAY
Temp
REFRIGERATED
Setup
DAILY
Components Parameters
NOT APPLICABLE
PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS
Test Ordering Instructions
FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY. AGE, LMP IS REQUIRED.
Patient preparation
NO PREPARATION REQUIRED.
Sample type
SERUM
Sample volume
AT LEAST 2ML.
Container/ preservative
SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINER.
Rejection criteria
LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE.
Other Instructions
CENTRIFUGE SST (SERUM GEL TUBES) WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION. CENTRIFUGE RED TOP VACUTAINERS AND ALIQUOT SERUM WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION. THE SEPARATION VIAL MUST BE LABELED WITH AT LEAST 2 PATIENT IDENTIFIERS AND THE SAMPLE TYPE.
Reference intervals
AGE, GENDER, PREGNANCY STATUS, WEEKS OF PREGNANCY (AS APPROPRIATE) ARE PROVIDED ON THE REPORT.
Clinical Utility
CONFIRM PREGNANCY, DETERMINE THE APPROXIMATE AGE OF THE FETUS, DIAGNOSE AN ABNORMAL PREGNANCY SUCH AS AN ECTOPIC PREGNANCY, DIAGNOSE A POTENTIAL MISCARRIAGE.
Test Limitations/ Confounders
IMMUNOASSAY INTERFERENCE CAN GIVE RISE TO SPURIOUS RESULTS. SUCH INTERFERENCE CAN ARISE FROM PRESENCE OF HETEROPHILE ANTIBODIES, ANTI-ANIMAL ANTIBODIES, AUTOANTIBODIES, PARAPROTEINS, BIOTIN ETC. RESULTS SHOULD ALWAYS BE CORRELATED WITH CLINICAL FINDINGS. IF INTERFERENCE IS SUSPECTED, URINE HCG (URINE PDT) TESTING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.