Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is a hormone the placenta produces during pregnancy. It is sometimes called the pregnancy hormone because of the role it plays in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. It helps thicken the uterine lining to support a fetus and signals the body to stop menstruating. Everyone has small, almost undetectable amounts of hCG in their body, but in pregnancy levels rise quickly and reach levels that typically only exist in pregnancy.
Why it matters: A blood test or a urine test can measure hCG, but they do not give the same kind of answer: a urine test shows whether hCG is present without showing how high or low the level is, while a blood test shows the amount of hCG as a number and can detect it earlier. Providers sometimes look at how quickly levels rise in early pregnancy to confirm that a pregnancy is progressing. High levels could mean a pregnancy is further along than expected, a pregnancy with twins, triplets or more, or a molar pregnancy or other gestational trophoblastic disease. Low or declining levels could mean a blighted ovum, a miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy, or an unclear date for the last period — a low level does not diagnose anything on its own, and is a tool to detect potential issues. High levels in someone who is not pregnant may be a sign of cancer, and providers sometimes use an hCG test to help diagnose cancer, track cancer treatment or check for cancer recurrence.
Source · Cleveland Clinic — what it is, why it matters, what moves it, related conditions
May increase with:
May decrease with:
What is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin?
Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is a hormone the placenta produces during pregnancy. It is sometimes called the pregnancy hormone because of the role it plays in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. It helps thicken the uterine lining to support a fetus and signals the body to stop menstruating. Everyone has small, almost undetectable amounts of hCG in their body, but in pregnancy levels rise quickly and reach levels that typically only exist in pregnancy.
What might a high or low Human Chorionic Gonadotropin mean?
A blood test or a urine test can measure hCG, but they do not give the same kind of answer: a urine test shows whether hCG is present without showing how high or low the level is, while a blood test shows the amount of hCG as a number and can detect it earlier. Providers sometimes look at how quickly levels rise in early pregnancy to confirm that a pregnancy is progressing. High levels could mean a pregnancy is further along than expected, a pregnancy with twins, triplets or more, or a molar pregnancy or other gestational trophoblastic disease. Low or declining levels could mean a blighted ovum, a miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy, or an unclear date for the last period — a low level does not diagnose anything on its own, and is a tool to detect potential issues. High levels in someone who is not pregnant may be a sign of cancer, and providers sometimes use an hCG test to help diagnose cancer, track cancer treatment or check for cancer recurrence.
What is the typical reference range for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin?
The general-population reference range shown here is 0 – 5 IU/L. Reference ranges describe the general population and are not a personal target — discuss your results with your physician.
What can affect Human Chorionic Gonadotropin?
It may be higher with: Pregnancy — levels rise quickly after conception and peak in early pregnancy, Germ cell tumours or other cancer cells, which in rare cases can cause the body to make hCG. It may be lower with: The later course of pregnancy — after peaking in early pregnancy, levels gradually fall until childbirth.
Track your Human Chorionic Gonadotropin over time
Upload your lab report and see where your values fall.
Get Started Free