beta HCG (total + beta unit)

DESCRIPTION: ß-hCG – Sample Serum, plasma Blood is taken in a vacuum tube (vacutube) with a red cap without additives or in a vacuum tube with a gel or in a vacuum tube (vacutube) with a green cap (Li-heparinate). or purple plug (EDTA). The stability of the sample (serum, plasma) is 1 year at -20°C, 7 days at 4-8°C and one day at 15-25°C. Human chorionic gonadotropin is a glycoprotein produced by trophoblastic cells of the placenta. It consists of two subunits, alpha and beta, which are non-covalently linked. The alpha subunit is structurally identical to the subunit of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The beta subunit is immunologically distinct and characteristic of hCG. An elevated hCG value is found in the serum of pregnant women, trophoblastic tumors and germ cell tumors, primarily in non-seminal tumors. The level of HCg is related to the size of the tumor mass and therefore has a prognostic value. DETERMINATION: Recommended method of the Croatian Chamber of Medical Biochemists: Analyte/search: Chorionic gonadotropin (bhCG) Sample: Serum Measurement units: IU/L Determination: RIA, ELISA, ECLIA. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Human chorionic gonadotropin is a pregnancy hormone produced by the placenta. In healthy women who are not pregnant, the values of this hormone are negative. However, hCG is produced by some ovarian tumors that especially occur in young women, they are quite rare, but mostly extremely aggressive. Elevated hCG values can also be found in patients with choriocarcinoma, dysgerminoma and embryonal carcinoma. The test is determined in order to confirm whether or not it is a pregnancy or to diagnose trophoblastic diseases or germ cell tumors. Determination of hCG is used to monitor the success of treatment in patients with trophoblastic diseases. During therapy, a drop in the level of hCG indicates the response of the cancer to the therapy, while an increase in the level may indicate a negative response to the therapy. An increase in the level of hCG after the end of the treatment may indicate the return of the disease. Determination of hCG is particularly useful in identifying people with trophoblastic diseases, and together with AFP, in detecting embryonal testicular cancer: Elevated hcG values in seminoma indicate choriocarcinoma. After the removal of the tumor by surgery, an accelerated decrease in hCG concentration is expected. A slow decline or persistent values are a sign of residual tumor. It is recommended that the concentration of hCG be determined once a week during chemotherapy, and once a year in remission. 1) Physiological changes in the concentration of ß-hCG in the serum (plasma) Normal pregnancy 2) Pathological changes in the concentration of ß-hCG in the serum (plasma) A) Increased values of the concentration of ß-hCG in the serum (plasma) in: Down’s syndrome / Pituitary gland and craniopharyngeal duct (Pituitary adenoma) / Testicular cancer, malignant neoplasm of the testis (testicle) / Chronic viral hepatitis C / Malignant neoplasm of the placenta / Mola hydatidosis / Placental-site Trophoblastic Tumor / Testicular Nonseminoma tumor / Testicular Seminma / Malignant neoplasm of the cervix (cervix) / Malignant neoplasm of the large intestine (colon), colon cancer (colon) / Malignant neoplasm of the breast / Malignant neoplasm of the pancreas, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic cancer / Malignant neoplasm of the liver, liver cancer, Liver cell cancer / Malignant neoplasm of the ovary (Ovarian cancer) / Malignant neoplasm of the lung, lung cancer / Malignant neoplasm of the stomach, gastric cancer, gastric cancer B) Decreased values of ß-hCG concentration in serum (plasma) in: RISK FACTORS: Decreased values: Postpartum (after childbirth) Smoking Race (in whites lower values than in blacks and Hispanics) Increased values: If whole blood is kept at room temperature: 10% in 48 hours, 10 – 20% after 72 hours, 15 – 40% after 5 days. Exposure of samples to a temperature of 56°C Menopause Glove powder b-chorionic gonadotropin ELEFFECT OF DRUGS: Reduced values: Biologically reduced values: epostane, mifepristone, octreotide FINAL: Reference range (depending on method, sex and age): Premenopausal men and women: female: /L (45 years: U/L) Women, 4 IU/L (45 years: 10 IU/L) Conversion factor (Conv – SI): 1 Conversion factor (SI – Conv): 1