Lowered reference limits for hCG improve follow-up of patients with hCG-producing tumors

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by germ cell tumors, but can also be elevated in benign conditions such as primary hypogonadism, where hCG is produced by the pituitary gland. In our experience, the reference limits for hCG (Elecsys hCG+β-assay, Roche Diagnostics), were unnecessarily h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical biochemistry 2018-02, Vol.52, p.73-79
Main Authors: Nome, Ragnhild V., Bjøro, Trine, Paus, Elisabeth, Bjerner, Johan, Fosså, Sophie D., Steen, Rita, Nustad, Kjell, Bolstad, Nils
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by germ cell tumors, but can also be elevated in benign conditions such as primary hypogonadism, where hCG is produced by the pituitary gland. In our experience, the reference limits for hCG (Elecsys hCG+β-assay, Roche Diagnostics), were unnecessarily high and did not reflect levels encountered in clinical practice. We wanted to establish new reference limits to increase the clinical utility of the hCG-assay. We analysed hCG in serum samples from a healthy adult population and in a cohort of testicular cancer survivors. The gonadotropins LH and FSH were measured in the cohort and in a selection of the reference population to assess gonadal function. We found low hCG levels for all men and women
ISSN:0009-9120
1873-2933
DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2017.11.016