Beta hCG Test: Early Pregnancy Confirmation, Uses, Procedure & Cost Guide
Beta hCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin) is a glycoprotein hormone that is produced by the developing placenta shortly after fertilisation. In the early pregnancy period, beta-hCG is produced in large quantities. The hormone can be detected in a mother’s blood or urine. Its levels are at peak between the 8th and 10th weeks of gestation. The rapid rise in hCG levels after conception makes it an excellent marker for early confirmation and monitoring of pregnancy. The HCG comprises of two subunits—the alpha and beta subunits. The measurement of free beta-hCG in the first trimester of pregnancy is considered a useful marker in antenatal screening for Down Syndrome and molar pregnancy, diagnosing a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and any kind of chromosomal abnormalities. Certain cancers, such as those of the ovary, testes, uterus, breast, or lung, also raise the HCG levels in the body. A beta HCG test aids in the detection of HCG levels in the blood. The HCG levels are indicative of things ...