Test Code BHCG Beta-hCG (Quantitative), Plasma or Serum
Performing Laboratory
Lima Memorial Health System Laboratory
Specimen Requirements
Preferred:
Container/Tube: Green cap-yellow ring Top (Lithium Heparin Gel) tube
Minimum Volume: 1.0 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge within 2 hours
Also Acceptable:
Container/Tube: Plain, Red Top or Serum gel (SST-Gel) tube
Reference Values
Non-pregnant: <5.0 mIU/L
Pregnant (weeks after conception):
0.2-1 week: 5-50 mIU/L
1-2 weeks: 50-500 mIU/L
2-3 weeks: 100-5,000 mIU/L
3-4 weeks: 500-10,000 mIU/L
4-5 weeks: 1,000-50,000 mIU/L
5-6 weeks: 10,000-100,000 mIU/L
6-8 weeks: 15,000-200,000 mIU/L
8-12 weeks: 10,000-100,000 mIU/L
Specimen Stability
Ambient: 8 hours
Refrigerate: 48 hours
Frozen: aliquot for longer storage
Day(s) Test Set Up
Monday through Sunday
Methodology
Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
Test Classification and CPT Coding
84702
Mnemonics
BHCG, BETHCG