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Blood test

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HCG in blood serum - quantitative

Alternative Names: Serial beta HCG; Repeat quantitative beta HCG; Human chorionic gonadotrophin in blood serum - quantitative; Beta-HCG in blood serum - quantitative; Pregnancy test - serum - quantitative Normal Values: Text Continues Below Early in pregnancy, enough HCG hormone is needed to maintain the pregnancy. Later on, the placenta produces plenty of progesterone (another hormone) to keep the uterine lining thick and able to sustain the fetus through the remainder of the pregnancy. Therefore, HCG levels rise rapidly during the first trimester of pregnancy, and then drop off somewhat thereafter. What abnormal results mean: Higher-than-normal levels may indicate: choriocarcinoma of the uterus hydatidiform mole of the uterus normal pregnancy more than one fetus -- for example, twins or triplets ovarian cancer testicular cancer Lower-than-normal levels may indicate: fetal death incomplete miscarriage threatened spontaneous abortion ectopic pregnancy

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