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B-hCG: The Hormone Behind Pregnancy Testing
All NiaHealth tests are processed in Canadian-certified labs, which are highly trusted by the medical community for their accuracy and reliability. Blood and urine samples are collected by licensed medical professionals and processed using state-of-the-art equipment. NiaHealth is SOC2 Type 2 certified.
What is it?
Human chorionic gonadotropin (B-hCG) is a hormone used most commonly in detecting pregnancy. As women move into perimenopause and menopause ovulation, and therefore the period of fertility, becomes less predictable. It is important to rule out pregnancy as the cause of missed periods. Other disease states can also produce B-hCG; therefore, elevated levels in menopausal women who are not pregnant require further investigation.
Why it matters
The exact role of hCG outside of pregnancy remains unclear. In premenopausal women, hCG and LH levels rise during ovulation. As women get older, hCG levels, like those of FSH and LH, rise due to loss of negative feedback inhibition from estrogen and progesterone. Levels of hCG and FSH reach a peak between the ages of 45 and 55 and remain at a plateau thereafter.
Reference ranges
This information is educational and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your results should be interpreted with a qualified healthcare professional in the context of your health history.
