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Test Code IEHCG Interference Evaluation Heterophile, Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, Serum


Ordering Guidance


If "HCG Total OB" or pregnancy is indicated, order THCG / Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), Quantitative, Pregnancy, Serum.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before specimen collection, do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing biotin (vitamin B7), which is commonly found in hair, skin, and nail supplements and multivitamins.

Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 2.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.


Useful For

Evaluating suspected interference from heterophile antibodies causing a falsely elevated human chorionic gonadotropin result

 

This test is not to be used for pregnancy testing.

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
HCGII HCG, Interference Interpretation No Yes
HCGQN Beta-HCG, Quantitative, S Yes, (order BHCG) Yes
HCGAM HCG, Alternative Method, S No Yes

Testing Algorithm

This heterophile antibody evaluation consists of pretreatment with commercial heterophile antibody blocking reagents, testing on an alternate platform, and serial dilution of the sample.

Reporting Name

Interference Eval, Heterophile, HCG

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

1.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  90 days
  Ambient  7 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

Reference Values

BETA-HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN, QUANTITATIVE, SERUM

Children(1,2)

Males

Birth-3 months: ≤50 IU/L*

>3 months-<18 years: <1.4 IU/L

Females

Birth-3 months: ≤50 IU/L*

>3 months-<18 years: <1.0 IU/L

Pediatric reference values based on:

1. Chen RJ, Huang SC, Chow SN, Hsieh CY: Human chorionic gonadotropin pattern in maternal circulation. Amniotic fluid and fetal circulation in late pregnancy. J Reprod Med. 1993;38(2):151-154

2. Schneider DT, Calaminus G, Gobel U: Diagnostic value of alpha 1-fetoprotein and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin in infancy and childhood. Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2001;18(1):11-26

*Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), produced in the placenta, partially passes the placental barrier. Newborn serum beta-hCG concentrations are approximately 1/400th of the corresponding maternal serum concentrations, resulting in neonate beta-hCG levels of 10-50 IU/L at birth. Clearance half-life is approximately 2 to 3 days. Therefore, by 3 months of age, levels comparable to adults should be reached.

 

Adults (97.5th percentile)

Males: <1.4 IU/L

Females

Premenopausal, nonpregnant: <1.0 IU/L

Postmenopausal: <7.0 IU/L

 

HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN, ALTERNATIVE METHOD

Males

Birth-3 months: Not established

>3 months-49 years: <0.6 IU/L

50 years-80 years: <1.6 IU/L

>80 years: Not established

 

Females

Birth-3 months: Not established

>3 months-40 years: <0.6 IU/L

41 years-50 years: <6.2 IU/L

51 years-150 years: <7.8 IU/L

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Report Available

2 to 4 days

Specimen Retention Time

3 months

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

84702 x 2

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
IEHCG Interference Eval, Heterophile, HCG 99306-3

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
HCGQN Beta-HCG, Quantitative, S 21198-7
HCGAM HCG, Alternative Method, S 21198-7
HCGIF HCG, Interference Heterophile 99307-1
HCGIN HCG, Interpretation 77202-0