Beta HCG, Urine

Diagnostic Use

Urine hCG measurement is a qualitative test used as a urine pregnancy test.
Urine hCG testing is best performed at the point-of-care using one of many readily available test devices. It is rarely necessary to send samples to the laboratory for this test.

Serum hCG testing is a quantitative test that can be requested through the laboratory to confirm or exclude pregnancy.

Department

Core Biochemistry

Delphic Registration Code

UPRG

Synonyms

Pregnancy test

Turnaround Time

2 hours

Test Code

3082

Specimen Type

• Urine

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Pottle

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Urine

Minimum Volume (ml)

1.0

Transport to Lab

Ambient (8 - 24 degrees Celsius)
If overnight - Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Interpretation

A positive test indicates that there is detectable hCG in the urine specimen, most likely to be due to pregnancy. Tests usually become positive when the hCG concentration reaches 25IU/L.

If there is a high clinical suspicion of pregnancy but the urine test is negative, either send a blood sample to the lab for serum hCG measurement or repeat the urine pregnancy test in 2-3 days.

False positive urine pregnancy tests are rare, but the result can be confirmed with serum hCG measurement. If the urine/serum hCG is measurable but there is no evidence of pregnancy, consider whether there is an alternative source of hCG production (for example, from an hCG-secreting tumour).

Reference Intervals

A positive result usually indicates urine hCG levels of >25 mIU/L

Test Method

Lateral flow immunoassay (Innovacon)

Non-Funded Test Cost

$19.26 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

3082

Contact Information

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