Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): Why It Is Done
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Why It Is Done
A test for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is done to:
- See whether you are pregnant.
- Find an ectopic pregnancy.
- Find and check the treatment of a molar pregnancy.
- See whether there is an increased chance of birth defects such as Down syndrome. The test is used in combination with other screening tests.
- Find and check the treatment of a cancer that develops from an egg or sperm (germ cell cancer), such as cancer of the ovaries or testicles. In such cases, a test for alpha-fetoprotein may be done along with a test for hCG.
| Last updated: | May 14, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Sandy Jocoy, RN |
| Reviewed By: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine, Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH - Reproductive Genetics |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Tracy Landauer |
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