The significance of human chorionic gonadotropin in clinical practice

Measuring the blood concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a routine laboratory test to diagnose early pregnancy, assess its duration and observe its course. In addition, hCG is a valuable tool in the diagnostics of miscarriage, nondeveloping foetus or ectopic pregnancy. The measurements of this hormone allow to suspect the possible risk of foetal abnormalities. hCG is also used to diagnose and follow the course of particular types of cancer and diseases of throphoblastic origin. Rarely, though, it is possible that false positive results ensue due to failures of analysis, malfunction of laboratory equipment or particular substances circulating in the blood, i.e. heterophilic antibodies, autoantibodies, the rheumatoid factor, bilirubin, haemoglobin or lipids could possibly lead to false test results. Taking into consideration all the previously mentioned issues, it is always important to assess the whole clinical status of the patient, to gather all the possible information and to consider various diagnostic approaches and not to rely too heavily on one laboratory test