Chorionic Gonadotropin Reference Value

The reference values for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) vary according to gender, physiological status, and stage of pregnancy. In non-pregnant states, HCG levels in males and non-pregnant females are typically below 5 IU/L, while in postmenopausal women, levels are generally below 10 IU/L. During pregnancy, HCG levels rise significantly. Usually, at one week of gestation, the reference range for HCG is 5–50 IU/mL. The levels typically double every other day thereafter, reaching a peak at 8–10 weeks of gestation, approximately 50,000–150,000 IU/mL. Following this, levels gradually decline and stabilize at a median concentration from week 20 of gestation until term. Additionally, in abnormal pregnancies such as ectopic pregnancy, HCG levels are often low and increase slowly; in cases such as hydatidiform mole, HCG levels may be abnormally elevated. Therefore, HCG levels serve as an important indicator for assessing pregnancy status and monitoring embryonic development.