Editing Human chorionic gonadotropin (section)

===Interpretation===
The ability to quantitate the βhCG level is useful in monitoring [[germ cell tumor|germ cell]] and [[Gestational trophoblastic disease|trophoblastic tumors]], follow-up care after [[miscarriage]], and diagnosis of and follow-up care after treatment of [[ectopic pregnancy]]. The lack of a visible fetus on vaginal [[ultrasound]] after βhCG levels reach 1500 mIU/mL is strongly indicative of an ectopic pregnancy.<ref>{{cite web | vauthors = Tualndi T | date = February 2022 | veditors = Barbieri RL, Chakrabarti A | title=Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy |url=http://www.uptodate.com/contents/ectopic-tubal-pregnancy-beyond-the-basics|publisher=UpToDate|access-date=1 June 2013}}</ref> Still, even an hCG over 2000 IU/L does not necessarily exclude the presence of a viable intrauterine pregnancy in such cases.<ref name=kirk2013/>

As pregnancy tests, quantitative blood tests and the most sensitive urine tests usually detect hCG between 6 and 12 days after ovulation.<ref name="wilcox">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wilcox AJ, Baird DD, Weinberg CR | title = Time of implantation of the conceptus and loss of pregnancy | journal = The New England Journal of Medicine | volume = 340 | issue = 23 | pages = 1796–1799 | date = June 1999 | pmid = 10362823 | doi = 10.1056/NEJM199906103402304 | doi-access = free }}</ref> It must be taken into account, however, that total hCG levels may vary in a very wide range within the first 4 weeks of gestation, leading to false results during this period.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Butler SA, Khanlian SA, Cole LA | title = Detection of early pregnancy forms of human chorionic gonadotropin by home pregnancy test devices | journal = Clinical Chemistry | volume = 47 | issue = 12 | pages = 2131–2136 | date = December 2001 | pmid = 11719477 | doi = 10.1093/clinchem/47.12.2131 | doi-access = free }}</ref> A rise of 35% over 48 hours is proposed as the minimal rise consistent with a viable intrauterine pregnancy.<ref name=kirk2013>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kirk E, Bottomley C, Bourne T | title = Diagnosing ectopic pregnancy and current concepts in the management of pregnancy of unknown location | journal = Human Reproduction Update | volume = 20 | issue = 2 | pages = 250–261 | year = 2013 | pmid = 24101604 | doi = 10.1093/humupd/dmt047 | doi-access =  }}</ref>