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Test Code LAB144 Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), Qualitative Pregnancy Test, Plasma or Serum

Reporting Title

B-hCG Qual, Serum

Methodology

Roche Diagnostics, Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay  RMH, GMC, DH, DMH, GMH, WECC, PMH, GCMH, OBH, MGH, MH, HMH, SH

Performing Laboratory

OhioHealth Laboratory Services-RMH, GMC, DNH, DMH, MGH, GMH, HMH, GCMH, DHC, WECC, PMH, MH, SH and OBH Core Laboratories.

Specimen Requirements

Due to interference, patients receiving high doses of biotin (>5 mg/day) should wait at least 8 hours after dose before having blood drawn.

 

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Preferred:

Plasma

Draw blood in a mint green-top (heparin) gel tube(s). Spin down and send 1 mL of heparinized plasma refrigerated.

Note:  1. Indicate plasma on request form.

2. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

 

Alternate:

Serum

Draw blood in a gold-top serum gel tube(s). Spin down and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated.

Note:

1. A speckled-top serum gel tube (s) or a plain, red-top tube(s) is also acceptable..

2. Indicate serum on request form.

3. Label specimen appropriately (serum).

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum or plasma Refrigerated 14 days
  Ambient  5 days
  Frozen  12 months

 

Specimen Transport Temperature

Refrigerate/Ambient OK/Frozen OK

Reference Values

Negative:  <5 mIU/mL of hCG

Indeterminate:  > = 5.0-24 mIU/mL

These values can be seen in early pregnancy. Consider confirming pregnancy with repeat testing in 48-72 hours. Values in pregnancy should double every 2-3 days for first 6 weeks.

Positive:  ≥25 mIU/mL (diagnostic cutoff for pregnancy)

Note:  Patients with trophoblastic and non-trophoblastic disease may have elevated hCG levels.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Test Classification and CPT Coding

84703