Hcg how is it manufactured

This hormone is secreted by the placenta in pregnant women. Human chorionic gonadotrophin is a hormone produced by the cells that surround the growing human embryo ; these cells will eventually go on to form the placenta. Human chorionic gonadotrophin can be detected in the urine from days post- fertilisation as the embryo attaches and implants in the womb; it forms the basis of most over-the-counter and hospital pregnancy tests see photo.

During the menstrual cycle , when an egg is released from the ovary at ovulation , the remnants of the ovarian follicle which enclosed the egg form a new, temporary ovarian gland called the corpus luteum , which produces the hormone progesterone. If, after two weeks, the ovulated egg remains unfertilised, the corpus luteum stops producing progesterone, and breaks down. Through a feedback mechanism, this signals the pituitary gland to produce follicle stimulating hormone and to a lesser extent luteinising hormone to initiate the next menstrual cycle.

However, in the event that the ovulated egg is fertilised by sperm and an embryo is conceived, it is vital that the corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone until the placenta is established the placenta then takes over progesterone production. It is important that the corpus luteum keeps producing progesterone because loss of progesterone leads to shedding of the womb lining menstruation , which would prevent an embryo from implanting.

Human chorionic gonadotrophin is the embryonic hormone that ensures the corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. It stimulates production of gonadal steroid hormones by stimulating the interstitial cells Leydig cells of the testis to produce androgens and the corpus luteum of the ovary to produce progesterone. Any patent infringement and resulting liability is solely at buyer risk. Privacy Policy Terms of Service. Product Name.

Human chorionic gonadotropin HCG. Risks Risks of a blood test There is very little chance of a problem from having a blood sample taken from a vein. You may get a small bruise at the site. You can lower the chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes.

In rare cases, the vein may become swollen after the blood sample is taken. This problem is called phlebitis. A warm compress can be used several times a day to treat this. Urine test Collecting a urine sample does not cause problems. Results The human chorionic gonadotropin hCG test is done to measure the amount of the hormone hCG in blood or urine to see if a woman is pregnant. Normal These numbers are just a guide.

It can also mean a molar pregnancy or Down syndrome. You may also be further along in an early pregnancy than you thought, based on your last menstrual period. In a man or a nonpregnant woman, a high hCG level can be a sign of a tumor cancerous or noncancerous. These tumors can develop from a sperm or egg cell germ cell tumor , such as a tumor of the testicles or ovaries.

It may also mean some types of cancer, such as cancer of the stomach, pancreas , large intestine, liver, or lung. Low values If you are pregnant, a low level of hCG can mean an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage. It may also mean that you aren't as far along in an early pregnancy as you thought, based on your last menstrual period LMP.

If you are pregnant, levels of hCG that are going down abnormally can mean a miscarriage spontaneous abortion is very likely. What Affects the Test You may not be able to have the test, or the results may not be helpful, if: You do your urine test for hCG very early in pregnancy during the first week after implantation or on a urine sample taken in the middle of the day.

The test may not always show an early pregnancy. You have had a miscarriage spontaneous abortion or therapeutic abortion. HCG results may stay high positive for up to 4 weeks after a miscarriage or therapeutic abortion. You got an injection of hCG to treat infertility. This may cause test results to appear high for several days after the injection. There is blood in the urine sample or soap in the collecting container.

These can change the hCG level. You use diuretics or promethazine. These medicines can cause false low hCG levels in urine test results. You use heparin, a medicine to prevent blood from clotting anticoagulant. You use certain medicines. These include hypnotics such as Ambien , antipsychotics, and antinausea medicines such as prochlorperazine. Be sure to tell your doctor what medicines you take. To learn more, see the topic Home Pregnancy Tests.

A blood test for hCG is generally more accurate than a urine test. If you still think you're pregnant even after your urine test results do not show a pregnancy negative results , you can try a blood test. Or you can repeat the urine test in a week. A normal hCG value does not rule out the possibility of a tumor in the uterus, ovaries, or testicles. HCG is only one part of a group of tests when a tumor is suspected. Screening for fetal chromosomal abnormalities.

Since these tumors involve the same cells that produce hCG, women with these conditions often have elevated hCG levels, as well, even though they're not pregnant. However, there are some situations that could lead to moderate to high hCG levels in a non-pregnant woman or man, such as:. In addition to medical conditions that could lead to elevated hCG levels, some cases of high hCG are the result of hCG injections. This occurs because hCG is very similar to the pituitary hormone LH, which stimulates the production of testosterone in the testes.

HCG can also be used as an identifying marker during pregnancy to detect Down's Syndrome. Certain types of cancers can produce higher-than-normal levels of hCG in both men and women. The types of cancers that can lead to elevated hCG levels include:. Measuring hCG levels in the above types of cancers can help identify tumors in the body, diagnose cancer, or evaluate how well a cancer treatment is working. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options.

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