|
Measurement of human chorionic gonadotropin in serum: essentially a pregnancy test, but carried out more precisely (quantitative)ly than is the case with a yes or no test (which is qualitative). Often carried out serially, to determine if a pregnancy is: thriving (hCG levels double every two or three days in normal early pregnancy - described on page 44 of Overcoming Infertility); languishing (levels rise more slowly, seen with an ectopic pregnancy and with an inevitable miscarriage); or resolving naturally (levels that are falling). Very high levels are seen with hydatidiform mole. Part of the triple screen used to screen for Down syndrome in early pregnancy
|
