What Is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)?

What it is

hCG is a hormone produced by the placenta shortly after implantation — the standard pregnancy hormone.

Why it matters

Detection of hCG in urine or blood is the basis of pregnancy tests.

Specimen

Urine / serum

Interpretation

Positive = pregnancy likely. Negative = below detection threshold.

Limitations

Testing too early can give false negative; certain tumors also raise hCG.

Related test: HCG Pregnancy Rapid Test — specimen: Urine / Serum