Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) Test, Pregnancy Test

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.

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Author:	Sandy Jocoy, RN	Last Updated: May 14, 2008
Medical Review:	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH - Reproductive Genetics
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