Test ID: BHSF
Chorionic Gonadotropin, Beta-Subunit (Quantitative), Spinal Fluid
Secondary ID 
A test code used for billing and in test definitions created prior to November 2011
NY State Approved Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Facilitating diagnosis of brain metastases of testicular cancer or extragonadal intracerebral germ cell tumors
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Immunoenzymatic Assay
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Beta-HCG (Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropins)
CG (Chorionic Gonadotropins)
Chorionic Gonadotropins, Beta-Subunit (QN), Spinal Fluid
Gonadotropins, Chorionic
hCG, Beta Subunit (Chorionic Gonad)
Tumor Markers
Human Chorionic Gonadotropins (hCG)
Specimen Type Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Container/Tube: Sterile vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | N/A |
| Lipemia | N/A |
| Icterus | N/A |
| Other | N/A |
Specimen Stability Information Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| CSF | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Frozen | 90 days | |
| Ambient | 7 days |
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is synthesized during normal gestation by cells of the fetal syncytiotrophoblast. hCG may also be produced by neoplastic cells of:
-Testicular tumors, either seminomas or nonseminomas
-Ovarian germ cell tumors
-Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), hydatidiform mole, and choriocarcinoma
-Various nontrophoblastic tumors, including breast, ovarian, pancreatic, cervical, gastric, and hepatic cancers
hCG is a glycoprotein hormone composed of 2 dissimilar subunits:
-An alpha-polypeptide (92 amino acids, molecular weight 14,000) that is common among 3 other pituitary glycoprotein hormones; follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
-A unique beta-polypeptide (145 amino acids, molecular weight 22,200) which determines the biologic activity of hCG
Only the intact hormone is biologically active; the individual subunits have no biological activity. The beta-subunit of hCG may be produced independently of the alpha-subunit by both normal and neoplastic cells. This assay measures both free beta subunit and intact hCG.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
<1.5 IU/L
Tumor markers are not specific for malignancy, and values may vary by method.
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin in spinal fluid indicate the probable presence of central nervous system metastases or recurrence of tumor in patients with germ cell tumors, including patients with testicular cancer or choriocarcinoma.
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Slight elevations of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in spinal fluid may occur in non neoplastic diseases.
Measurement of hCG in spinal fluid should not be relied upon exclusively to determine the presence of central nervous system metastases in patients with germ cell tumors.
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Bagshawe KD: Choriocarcinoma. A model for tumor markers. Acta Oncol 1992;31:99-106
2. Mann K, Saller B, Hoermann R: Clinical use of hCG and hCG beta determinations. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1993;216:97-104
3. Ozturk M, Bellet D, Manil L, et al: Physiological studies of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), alpha hCG, and beta hCG as measured by specific monoclonal immunoradiometric assays. Endocrinology 1987;120:549-558
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
The Beckman Access Total Beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) assay is an automated two-site immunoenzymatic assay. The hCG in the patient specimen is sandwiched between an immobilized monoclonal antibody and a polyclonal rabbit antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. Unbound materials are removed magnetically and a chemiluminescent substrate is added. The resulting light production is directly proportional to the amount of hCG in the specimen and is calculated by means of a stored, multi-point calibration curve. (Package insert: BeckmanAccess Total Beta hCG Kit. Beckman Coulter, Inc., Brea, CA)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Saturday; Continuously
Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
84702
LOINC® Code Information Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| BHSF | Chorionic Gonad Beta-Subunit QN,CSF | 14041-8 |
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