Primarily a placental hormone with two unequal linked subunits α and beta
Useful tumor marker in males and females in a number of malignancies.
Half life 3-3.5 days.
Integral part of diagnosis and treating abnormal intrauterine pregnancies, ectopic gestations, gestation trohpoblastic neoplasia and germ cell malignancies of the testicle.
Beta-hCG is the most commonly elevated serum tumor marker in testicular cancer.
Elevated levels of beta-hCG may be present in both seminomatous and non-seminomatous tumors.
Half-life 36 hours in testicle tumors.
Integral part of diagnosis and treating abnormal intrauterine pregnancies, ectopic gestations, gestation trohpoblastic neoplasia and germ cell malignancies of the testicle.
Beta HCG is secreted by malignancies including: seminoma, choriocarcinoma, germ cell tumors, hydatiform mole formation, islet cell tumor, and rarely teratoma with elements of choriocarcinoma.
Normal range for beta hCG in males is 0-5 IU/mL.
Beta HCG is secreted by malignancies including: seminoma, choriocarcinoma, germ cell tumors, hydatiform mole formation, islet cell tumor, and rarely teratoma with elements of choriocarcinoma.
Normal range for beta hCG is 0-5 IU/mL.
Utilized parenterally to stimulate ovulation instead of luteinizing hormone.
In the presence of mature ovarian follicles hCG can trigger ovulation-with ovulation occurring 24-36 hours after injection.
Can be utilized in in vitro fertilization to trigger ovulation and subsequently retrieval of eggs about 36 hours after injection, and a few hours before the eggs would be released from the ovary.
Can be used to enhance progesterone production from the corpus luteum.
In the male HCG injections can stimulate leydig cells to synthesize testosterone, needed for spermatogenesis from Sertoli cells.
During the first few months of pregnancy high levels of HCG and beta hCG are active against preventing the transmission of HIV from the mother to the fetus.
False positive elevation can be seen in hypogonadism with cross reactivity with luteinizing hormone or who utilized marijuana.
Not safe or effective as a weight loss aid.