β-hCG
Sample: Serum
Schedule: Daily
Units: mIU/mL
Range: More than 25 mIU/mL indicates Pregnancy. HCG is composed of glycopeptide - and -subunits. The -subunitis identical with that of LH, FSH, and TSH. The -subunit is unique to hCG (-hCG) and specific tests for it are not subject to hormonal cross reactivity. -hCG is normally produced by the developing placenta, and is pathologically produced by some germ cell neoplasms.
Remarks: -hCG is used for assessing Germ cells tumours, in combination with serum AFP levels:
Assessing cancer with AFP and HCG
| Disease | AFP | HCG |
|---|---|---|
| Gastric carcinoma Hepatocellular carcinoma Lung carcinoma Pancreas carcinoma Blader carcinoma Renal carcinoma Seminoma Non malignant liver disease Bening genitourinary disease | Pos | Pos |
