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 chromosome problems, such as Down syndrome, are present.
• 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:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: October 12, 2006
Medical Review:	Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH - Reproductive Genetics Renee H. Martin, PhD - Medical Genetics
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