Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a
glycoprotein hormone produced by the placenta
shortly after fertilization. HCG levels continue to
increase very rapidly, often exceeding 100mUI /
ml for the first menstrual failure, period, 2,3,4
and peaking in the range of 100,000-200,000mIU
/ ml between 10-12 weeks of gestation. The
appearance of hCG in urine, serum or plasma
shortly after conception, and its subsequent
rapid increase in concentration during initial
gestational growth, make it an excellent marker
for early detection of pregnancy.