Diagnostic Considerations in the Measurement of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Aging Women

Abstract
Background: Human chorionic gondadotropin (hCG) screening tests are performed on nearly all female patients of childbearing age before any medical intervention. Although older women usually have negative hCG test results, positive results do occur and may cause clinical confusion. We examined changes with age in serum hCG concentrations in nonpregnant women and investigated the use of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) measurements as an aid to interpreting higher than expected (“positive”) hCG results.