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HCG Qualitative, Pregnancy Urine

Human chorionic gonadotropin, Urine, hCG Slide Test, Urine hCG Pregnancy Test (Qualitative)

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB5068, Beaker: HCGU2, Antrim: 17278

Department

Chemistry

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: 10 mL random urine specimen in a screw-capped container (preferred) or other sterile collection container. First morning urine is optimal, as it generally contains the highest concentration of hCG. (Minimum: 1.0 mL)

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) specimen immediately after collection and maintain refrigerated until transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Urine specimen, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 1.0 mL)

Rejection Criteria

Grossly bloody specimens may require recollection.

In-Lab Processing

Document the time of the specimen collection in the computer system. Deliver the specimen immediately to the appropriate testing station.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 48 hours
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 1 year

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Canton Chemistry Laboratory
Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Farmington Hills Urinalysis Laboratory
Grosse Pointe Hematology/Urinalysis Laboratory
Lenox Main Laboratory
Livonia Main Laboratory
Royal Oak Urinalysis Laboratory (for routine specimens) or STAT Laboratory (for STAT specimens).
Troy Hematology/Urinalysis Laboratory

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day. 
STAT results available within 1 hour of receipt in the laboratory.
Routine results available within 4 hours.  

Reference Range

Negative.

Test Methodology

Chromatographic Immunoassay.

Interpretation

Elevated hCG concentrations in urine, unrelated to pregnancy, may occur in patients with choriocarcinoma, hydatidiform mole and some nontrophoblastic malignancies including testicular, prostatic, breast, and lung carcinomas.

A single negative pregnancy test cannot absolutely rule out pregnancy. After ovulation and conception, the embryo moves through the fallopian tube and implants into the endometrium. Ovulation usually, but not always, occurs at the end of the second week (day 14) of the menstrual cycle and implantation occurs approximately one week later (day 21).  hCG is not detected in maternal blood until after implantation. Therefore, a negative hCG result may be obtained in the earliest stages of pregnancy. 

The qualitative urine assay (sensitivity 20.0 mIU/mL) is expected to be positive for the lab can diagnose 100% of pregnant patients by day 24-32.  

Laboratory-based serum quantitative hCG is the preferred immunochemical test to aid in the detection of pregnancy and other conditions that result in hCG elevations (see references below). 

Clinical Utility

This assay aids in the diagnosis of pregnancy.

CPT Codes

81025

Contacts

Last Updated

10/22/2023