What is the median gestational age? What is hCG? How to donate blood for hCG analysis

Human chorionic gonadotropin (abbreviated hCG, hGT, HCG in English, HGL in Ukrainian) is a hormone that, in the normal state of the body, is produced exclusively during pregnancy. The hCG hormone is produced after conception - it is synthesized by the fertilized egg, and after it is formed trophoblast (this is the precursor of the placenta), this hormone is produced by its tissues. That is why the level of hCG is determined only after conception.

Human chorionic gonadotropin consists of two different subunits - alpha And beta . Moreover, alpha is identical to the subunits of alpha hormones. When we talk about hCG - what it is, its B-subunit is considered. It is important to understand when considering what beta hCG is that it is a unique subunit, so it cannot be confused with other hormones. When talking about testing for human chorionic gonadotropin, we mean that there is no difference between hCG and beta-hCG.

What is hCG during pregnancy? Its definition and decoding is a very important stage in the diagnosis of a number of pathologies of both the fetus and the woman. In some conditions that will be described in this article, hCG values ​​are either greatly reduced or increased. When considering what kind of analysis this is, you need to take into account that with small deviations from the norm, this study has no diagnostic value. Therefore, some diseases and conditions of the expectant mother ( post-term pregnancy , intrauterine infection, chronic fetoplacental insufficiency ) determined by other methods.

After the hCG results have been received, they are interpreted over time, since each woman’s hCG level changes differently during pregnancy. Therefore, one result cannot judge the situation as a whole.

It is important that the result of the hCG pregnancy test be reviewed by a qualified specialist. After all, decoding the hCG test is very important, as it allows you to correct some problems in fetal development.

Since the free beta subunit of gonadotropin is unique, the test that determines the norm of hCG during pregnancy is also called beta-hCG. The norm is if during pregnancy HCGb appears in the blood a few days after conception. But, nevertheless, if, for example, hCG is 8, what does this mean cannot be definitely said after the first analysis. A repeat test will be needed to confirm pregnancy. In general, the fb-HCG norm is a very important indicator of fetal development.

When taking hCG at Invitro, Hemotest, Helix and other clinics, a woman needs to understand what this indicator is, when such a test will show pregnancy, etc. This will be discussed in the article below.

What is hCG used for?

When determining HCGb levels, you need to understand what human gonadotropin is needed for. Wikipedia states the following:

• this hormone at the beginning of pregnancy stimulates the process of synthesis and;
• prevents disappearance corpus luteum ;
• prevents aggression maternal body against fetal cells;
• initiates physiological and anatomical changes in the pregnant woman’s body;
• stimulates the adrenal glands and gonads of the fetus;
• participates in the process of sexual differentiation in male fetuses.

Why is this test prescribed?

The analysis is prescribed to women for the purpose of:

• early diagnosis of pregnancy;
• monitoring the dynamics of how pregnancy progresses;
• determination of developmental defects (fetal anatomy);
• development exceptions ectopic pregnancy ;
• the need to assess whether the artificial one was completely carried out;
• establishing that there is a threat;
• diagnostics And tumors .

For male patients, such analysis is necessary to diagnose testicular tumors .

HCG levels during pregnancy

The function of human chorionic gonadotropin in the body is very important. Its indicators begin to increase in the early stages, as it is produced by a fertilized egg. It is hCG that makes it possible for pregnancy to develop, since it triggers all the processes necessary for bearing a baby.

Already 9 days after ovulation, hCG can be detected in the blood plasma. That is, already when the fertilized egg has penetrated the endometrium, there is a slow increase in the levels of this hormone. And if its low level is determined in the early stages, then the concentration doubles every two days. What exactly its level should be in a certain week, how hCG should grow, whether slow or fast growth is noted, can be found out from the corresponding tables.

The increase in hCG during pregnancy occurs until 8-10 weeks from the last menstruation, when its peak is noted - 50,000-10,000 IU/l. Then the hormone level begins to decrease, by 18-20 weeks it is already reduced by half. Then the hCG level remains stable throughout the entire pregnancy.

During pregnancy, gonadotropin is excreted from the body by the kidneys, and therefore is excreted in the urine. It can be determined by performing a urine test in the range of 30-60 days after the last menstruation. The highest rates are observed on days 60-70. This is why, when hCG begins to be produced, you can do a pregnancy test strip or other urine tests.

HCG levels during late pregnancy may reach repeated peak levels. Previously, doctors considered this to be normal. However, it has now been proven that elevated hCG in later stages may indicate developmental pathology. In particular, a high level of the hormone in the last weeks of gestation sometimes means that there is a reaction of the placenta to placental insufficiency in the case of Rhesus conflict .

Therefore, it is necessary to promptly identify this disease and carry out treatment.

The main signs of hydatidiform mole are:

• Constant, indomitable vomit , much more painful than with normal.
• Uterine bleeding (severe spotting) in the early stages.
• The size of the uterus is larger than normal at this stage.
• Symptoms preeclampsia (Sometimes).
• Trembling fingers, palpitations, weight loss (rare).

When the signs described above are noted, it is important to consult a gynecologist, undergo an ultrasound and be tested for hCG.

If pregnancy develops normally, then the level of this hormone rarely increases above 500,000 IU/l. There is an approximate calculation of hormone norms for each period. But if a hydatidiform mole develops, the hCG level is different, several times higher than these norms.

To cure a hydatidiform mole, all trophoblast must be removed from the uterus. To do this, curettage or other surgical interventions are performed.

It may happen that a benign hydatidiform mole turns into malignant chorionic carcinoma . As a rule, metastases appear very quickly with this tumor. But it responds well to treatment with chemotherapy .

There are the following indications for chemotherapy:

• HCG level is above 20,000 IU/L one month after the hydatidiform mole was removed.
• An increase in the level of this hormone after a hydatidiform mole has been removed.
• Metastases to other organs.

Chorionic carcinoma

Chorionic carcinoma may appear both after a hydatidiform mole and after childbirth or abortion. If a woman develops this disease, then 40 days after the pregnancy ends, the hCG level has not fallen, but has increased. Uterine bleeding may also occur, signs that indicate metastases. In such a situation, there are indications for chemotherapy and surgery. In the future, the patient should remain under observation. The doctor decides how long it should last.

Use of drugs containing human chorionic gonadotropin

Like all human hormones, the level of human chorionic gonadotropin can depend on various factors. Thus, the test result is influenced by whether the woman takes medications containing human gonadotropin orally.

As a rule, such drugs are prescribed to women with, as well as during the period when preparations are underway for IVF, in order to increase hormone levels.

In rare cases, such medications are taken if there is a threat of miscarriage. In any case, if a woman uses such medications, then before carrying out any measurements and tests, you need to warn the doctor about this.

Taking a variety of medications, many women are interested in whether they can affect the levels of this hormone. For example, it is often asked whether to the hCG level. According to experts, Duphaston may slightly affect the level of this hormone, since this drug controls the level progesterone . However, if hCG does not meet the norms, this cannot be attributed to the influence of the drug, since it may be a pathological condition.

The level of this hormone is not affected.

Hormonal medications, the active component of which is human chorionic gonadotropin, are drugs Profasi , Humegon , Horagon , Khoriogonin , Menogon . They restore the ovulatory process and activate the hormonal activity of the corpus luteum. At what size of the follicle the injection is given is determined by the doctor.

Initially, studies are carried out on hormones, their norm in women and deviations. If certain abnormalities occur, in particular, progesterone is below normal, what this means, the doctor will explain during the consultation and prescribe specific treatment.

If necessary, to stimulate ovulation, hCG injections from 5000 to 10000 IU are prescribed, in order to maintain pregnancy - from 1000 to 3000 IU. Individual dose selection is important. Therefore, if the 10,000 injection was given, when is ovulation, if the 5,000 injection was given, how long after ovulation, the specialist will explain.

Currently, human chorionic gonadotropin is also used by athletes, since under its influence it increases in the male body.

False positive test result

Those who are interested in what stage of pregnancy a test for this hormone shows, should take into account that in some situations the tests can be false positive.

This happens in the following cases:

• Some experts say that when taking oral contraceptives, hormone levels may increase. However, there is no proven evidence that taking contraception affects hCG.
• As a rule, after childbirth or abortion, hormone levels decrease for seven days. In some cases, the doctor waits 42 days, after which tests are taken and he can make a diagnosis. If the analysis shows that hCG has not decreased or has increased, then we may be talking about a trophoblastic tumor.
• Levels may remain elevated when metastases occur chorionic carcinoma , hydatidiform mole .
• Other tumors can also develop from germinal tissues, but they rarely produce an increase in hormone levels. Therefore, if there is a formation in the brain, stomach, lungs and a high level of human chorionic gonadotropin, first of all, a suspicion of trophoblastic tumors with metastases arises.

Thus, the hCG level in non-pregnant women should not be higher than those that are normal. The normal level of hCG in non-pregnant women is from 0 to 5. The level of this hormone in a non-pregnant woman may be higher in the first days after an abortion, when taking certain medications, as well as with the development of certain pathological conditions.

Immunity against hCG

In rare cases (units) the female body produces to chorionic hormone. They are an obstacle to the normal attachment of a fertilized egg in the uterus and its subsequent development.

Therefore, if in two or more cases the pregnancy ended in spontaneous miscarriage, it is important to take a test to determine antibodies to hCG and find out if there are any certain abnormalities. If the result is positive, treatment is carried out during the first trimester.

The woman is prescribed glucocorticoids And low molecular weight heparins . However, it is important to consider that organisms producing antibodies to hCG are rare. Therefore, in the absence of pregnancy, you must initially undergo all tests and exclude the influence of other factors on women’s and men’s health.

Conclusions

Thus, an analysis for hCG is a very important study during the period of bearing a baby. It is understandable that after receiving research results, patients have many questions. For example, why hCG increases but does not double, how to correctly decipher hCG by DPO, etc., does fibroids affect the level of the hormone, etc. You need to ask a gynecologist about everything, who will help decipher the tests and give comprehensive answers to all questions.

Who is not familiar with this situation: an expectant mother takes a test or undergoes an examination and receives a piece of paper with strange numbers and letters. What do they mean and how do doctors manage to navigate these hieroglyphs “on the fly”? Let's try to master the sophisticated medical language at least at an elementary level.

Today we will talk about your favorite hCG. Don't be surprised, you already know him well and really love him. After all, it was hCG that made that long-awaited second line appear on the test. What do these three magic letters mean?

The abbreviation “hCG” stands for human chorionic gonadotropin. It begins to be secreted by the tissues of the embryo (more precisely, by the chorion) immediately after its attachment to the wall of the uterus, and this remarkable event, we recall, occurs on the fourth day after fertilization.

High hCG during pregnancy throughout the first trimester controls the production in the ovaries of hormones necessary for the normal development of pregnancy: progesterone, estradiol and estriol. The highest level of human chorionic gonadotropin is observed at 8-9 weeks. Then, towards the end of the first trimester, as hormones begin to be produced by the placenta, hCG levels decrease and remain at this level throughout the second trimester.

For early diagnosis of pregnancy, the fact is used that on the 7th–10th day from the moment of fertilization there is a significant increase in the concentration of hCG in the mother’s blood. This hormone is detected unchanged in the urine of a pregnant woman, which is why we dip a pregnancy test strip into the urine. It should be noted that it is optimal to carry out the test no earlier than two weeks from the moment of fertilization or if the expected menstruation is delayed by three days or more. In this case, it is advisable to use the first morning urine (simply because morning urine will have the highest hCG content). If your period is delayed by a week or more, it is no longer necessary to wait until morning.

If there are no special recommendations, to detect pregnancy in the early stages, blood can be donated starting from a week of delay of the next menstruation. To identify fetal pathology in pregnant women, blood must be donated from 16-1 to 20 weeks of pregnancy together with other markers (AFP, free estriol).

How high is hCG in pregnant women?

The normal serum level of hCG in non-pregnant women is 0-15 mU/ml. Its level in pregnant women can be determined using the following table:

The ratio of the hCG level to the median is called Mom; its value during normal pregnancy is 0.5-2.

Keep in mind that norms may differ depending on the laboratory (pay attention to what units the measurement was made in, since different laboratories sometimes use different units - in these cases, as a rule, the norms are indicated side by side). You also need to know that if you are expecting more than one baby, the amount of hCG in the blood increases in proportion to the number of fetuses.

The level of hCG is reduced during ectopic pregnancy and when there is a threat of miscarriage; in this case, the diagnosis can be clarified by examining the hCG level over time. If the intrauterine pregnancy develops normally, then the level of human chorionic gonadotropin will double every 1.5 days in the period from the 2nd to the 5th week from the moment of fertilization. With an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage, the hCG level increases much more slowly, remains unchanged or decreases.

With hydatidiform mole, chorionepithelioma (tumor diseases of the placenta), the hCG level significantly exceeds the norm for a given period. Also, an increase in human chorionic gonadotropin can be observed in breast cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian tumors. In urine, the level of hCG is always 1.5 - 2 times lower than in blood serum.

Determining the level of hCG is part of the so-called triple test- a study that is carried out on all pregnant women and allows one to suspect the presence of certain abnormalities in fetal development. Please remember: This test cannot make a definitive diagnosis. It only makes it possible to identify pregnant women at risk who need serious additional examination. Therefore, if the triple test results are positive, do not despair and do not draw hasty conclusions; Contact specialists for a detailed examination!

In addition to hCG, AFP and E3 are determined as part of this study. AFP is alphafetoprotein, a protein produced in the baby’s liver and contained in the mother’s blood.

Determining its level is used to exclude the development of defects in the fetus of the neural tube, various parts of the digestive tract, urinary system, as well as Shershevsky-Turner syndrome (a genetically determined disease of the baby), serious delay in fetal development, some diseases of the placenta and, finally, Down syndrome. E3- it's a hormone estriol, maintaining pregnancy.

A positive test result suggests the presence of fetal abnormalities; it is necessary to repeat the test, do an ultrasound, more in-depth studies, for example, to collect fetal blood from the umbilical cord or collect amniotic fluid. Negative means there are no deviations.

The main drawback of the study is its inaccuracy, to put it mildly. Now experts are talking about 80% false positive results(according to the official version 5%). For example, a false positive result is quite possible if the gestational age is incorrectly determined, deviations in the mother’s age and weight, or if the mother has diabetes.

Only a doctor can evaluate the test results: only he can see all the nuances of the test. So, in order for the doctor to suspect a genetic pathology in the fetus, it is necessary that the triple test indicators be several times higher or lower than normal, but minor changes in the indicators, as a rule, are a reason to retake the test. However, this test is now widely used to identify risk groups. So do a triple test, breathe a sigh of relief if the result is negative and don’t be upset right away if it’s positive.

The content of estriol (E3) in the blood of pregnant women:

Content of alphafetoprotein (AFP) in the blood of pregnant women:

Approximate results of the triple test in several situations:

Elizaveta Rauschenbach,
Obstetrician-gynecologist
Article from the magazine “Pregnancy” No. 1/2006

We will talk about hCG. It was hCG that made that long-awaited second line appear on the test. What do these three letters mean?

The abbreviation "hCG" stands for human chorionic gonadotropin. It begins to be secreted by the tissues of the embryo (more precisely, by the chorion) immediately after its attachment to the wall of the uterus, and this remarkable event, we recall, occurs on the fourth day after fertilization.

Throughout the first trimester of pregnancy, hCG controls the production in the ovaries of hormones necessary for the normal development of pregnancy: progesterone, estradiol and estriol. The highest level of human chorionic gonadotropin is observed at 8-9 weeks. Then, towards the end of the first trimester, as hormones begin to be produced by the placenta, hCG levels decrease and remain at this level throughout the second trimester.

For early diagnosis of pregnancy, the fact is used that on the 7-10th day from the moment of fertilization there is a significant increase in the concentration of hCG in the mother’s blood. This hormone is detected unchanged in the urine of a pregnant woman, which is why we dip a pregnancy test strip into the urine. It should be noted that the test is optimally carried out no earlier than two weeks from the moment of fertilization or if the expected menstruation is delayed by three days or more. In this case, it is advisable to use the first morning urine (simply because morning urine will have the highest hCG content). If your period is delayed by a week or more, it is no longer necessary to wait until morning.

If there are no special recommendations, to detect pregnancy in the early stages, blood can be donated starting from a week of delay of the next menstruation. To identify fetal pathology in pregnant women, blood must be donated from the 16th to the 20th week of pregnancy together with other markers (AFP, free estriol).

The normal serum level of hCG in non-pregnant women is 0-15 mU/ml. Its level in pregnant women can be determined using the following table:

The ratio of the hCG level to the median is called Mom; its value during normal pregnancy is 0.5-2.

Keep in mind that norms may differ depending on the laboratory (pay attention to what units the measurement was made in, since different laboratories sometimes use different units - in these cases, as a rule, the norms are indicated side by side). You also need to know that if you are expecting more than one baby, the amount of hCG in the blood increases in proportion to the number of fetuses.

The level of hCG is reduced during ectopic pregnancy and when there is a threat of miscarriage; in this case, the diagnosis can be clarified by examining the hCG level over time. If the intrauterine pregnancy develops normally, then the level of human chorionic gonadotropin will double every 1.5 days in the period from the 2nd to the 5th week from the moment of fertilization. With an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage, the hCG level increases much more slowly, remains unchanged or decreases.

With hydatidiform mole, chorionepithelioma (tumor diseases of the placenta), the hCG level significantly exceeds the norm for a given period. Also, an increase in human chorionic gonadotropin can be observed in breast cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian tumors.

In urine, the level of hCG is always 1.5-2 times lower than in blood serum.

Determining the level of hCG is part of the so-called triple test- a study that is carried out on all pregnant women and allows one to suspect the presence of certain abnormalities in fetal development. Please remember: This test cannot make a definitive diagnosis. It only makes it possible to identify pregnant women at risk who need serious additional examination. Therefore, if the triple test results are positive, do not despair and do not draw hasty conclusions; Contact specialists for a detailed examination!

Approximate results of the triple test in several situations:

In addition to hCG, AFP and E3 are determined as part of this study. APF is alphafetoprotein, a protein produced in the baby’s liver and contained in the mother’s blood. Determining its level is used to exclude the development of defects in the fetus of the neural tube, various parts of the digestive tract, urinary system, as well as Shershevsky-Turner syndrome (a genetically determined disease of the baby), serious delay in fetal development, some diseases of the placenta and, finally, Down syndrome. EZ- it's a hormone estriol, maintaining pregnancy.

A positive test result suggests the presence of fetal abnormalities; it is necessary to repeat the test, do an ultrasound, more in-depth studies, for example, to collect fetal blood from the umbilical cord or collect amniotic fluid. Negative means there are no deviations.

The main drawback of the study is its inaccuracy, to put it mildly. Now experts talk about 80% of false positive results (according to the official version 5%). For example, a false positive result is quite possible if the gestational age is incorrectly determined, deviations in the mother’s age and weight, or if the mother has diabetes.

Only a doctor can evaluate the test results: only he can see all the nuances of the test. So, in order for the doctor to suspect a genetic pathology in the fetus, it is necessary that the triple test indicators be several times higher or lower than normal, but minor changes in the indicators, as a rule, are a reason to retake the test. However, this test is currently widely used to identify risk groups. So do a triple test, breathe a sigh of relief if the result is negative and don’t be upset right away if it’s positive.

Chorionic Gonadotropin, alpha polypeptide Often, an expectant mother undergoes a test and receives a piece of paper with strange letters and numbers, on the basis of which the doctor makes quite serious conclusions about the state of the child’s health. What do these numbers mean? How not to panic and understand the situation if something goes beyond the norm?

The term " hCG» stands for human chorionic gonadotropin.

This is the same hormone that it reacts to (7-10 days after fertilization). It begins to be secreted by the tissues of the embryo, or rather by the chorion. It is during this period that the concentration of hCG in the mother’s blood increases significantly. However, it is better to do the test no earlier than two weeks after fertilization, i.e. for 3 days or more.

Determination of the level of hCG is included in the so-called triple test (which must be taken from week to week of pregnancy together with other markers (AFP, free estriol)) - a study that allows you to suspect the presence of anomalies. However, this study is quite inaccurate. A false positive result can be caused by an incorrectly determined gestational age, deviations in maternal weight gain, the presence of diabetes mellitus and many other factors. Only a doctor can assess the full picture and, as a rule, a false positive result leads to a repeat test. To talk about a serious pathology, the triple test indicators must differ several times higher or lower than normal. If the test remains positive, you will be prescribed a more detailed examination.

Non-pregnant women also have hCG, but its level in the blood is quite low - 0 - 15 mU/ml.

HCG by week

• — — 25 — 300 mU/ml, median (average value) — 150 mU/ml
• Week 2 — — 1500 — 5000 mU/ml, median — 2000 mU/ml
• 3 week — — 10,000 — 30,000 mU/ml, median — 20,000 mU/ml
• Week 4 — — 20,000 — 100,000 mU/ml, median — 50,000 mU/ml
• Week 5 — — 20,000 — 100,000 mU/ml, median — 50,000 mU/ml
• Week 6 – – 50,000 – 200,000 mU/ml, median – 100,000 mU/ml
• Week 7 – – 20,000 – 200,000 mU/ml, median – 70,000 mU/ml
• Week 8 – – 20,000 – 100,000 mU/ml, median – 65,000 mU/ml
• Week 9 – – 20,000 – 95,000 mU/ml, median – 60,000 mU/ml
• Week 10 — — 20,000 — 95,000 mU/ml, median — 55,000 mU/ml
• Week 11 –