A woman can go to the laboratory on her own for a pregnancy test. It will show its onset from 5-7 days after probable conception. A referral is issued by a gynecologist when:
• Absence of menstruation - amenorrhea caused by stress, ovarian dysfunction, infection, intoxication. The study is necessary to exclude pregnancy before starting treatment.
• Suspicion of twins or more fetuses.
• Possibility of ectopic attachment of the fertilized egg.
• Tumor caused by chorionic particles (hydatidiform mole, chorionic carcinoma).
• Observation of the development of the placenta and fetus from 12 to 18 weeks.
• If there is a threat of miscarriage, a frozen or stopped pregnancy (pain, blood from the vagina, changes on ultrasound, cardiotocography).
• After an abortion, to check its complete completion.
• Detection of abnormalities in the structure of fetal organs (together with alpha-fetoprotein, estriol), congenital genetic defects.
The oncologist recommends testing hCG if there is a suspicion of tumors with hormonal activity. They may be in the kidneys, digestive system, lungs, uterus or ovaries. Testicular neoplasms in men are also capable of producing this hormone.
Monitoring indicators over time (as pregnancy progresses) is prescribed to patients from risk groups and in the absence of symptoms:
• there was previously a frozen fetus, ectopic attachment of the embryo;
• the child was born with developmental anomalies;
• recurrent miscarriages;
• multiple births;
• prior to pregnancy, infertility treatment was carried out;
• diseases of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and ovaries were identified.