Elevated hCG

An abnormally increased serum or urine human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) concentration above the reference range.

• Non-pregnant: <5 mIU/mL

• Borderline: 6-24 mIU/mL

• Positive/pregnancy-associated: >25 mIU/mL

Causes

• Early pregnancy

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Gestational trophoblastic disease

  • Hydatidiform mole

  • Choriocarcinoma

• Exogenous administration: Fertility treatment with hCG

• Germ cell tumors

  • Testicular cancer

  • Ovarian germ cell tumors

• hCG-producing malignancies

  • Gastric cancer

  • Liver cancer

  • Lung cancer

  • Pancreatic cancer

  • Breast cancer

  • Cervical cancer

• Pituitary hCG production

• Kidney failure (reduced clearance)

• False-positive results due to interfering autoantibodies