Update Type: Reference range changed
Test Updated: 07/14/2021
Test Overview
Test Methodology

Immunochemiluminescent Assay (ICMA)

Test Usage

Quantitating the alpha-subunit has been advocated as a monitoring test to detect the recurrence of tumors in patients who have undergone resection of pituitary adenomas.

Reference Range *

Pediatric: < or = 5 days: < or = 50 ng/mL; 5 days - < 3 months: < or = 10 ng/mL; 3 months - < 2 years: < or = 1.2 ng/mL; 2 years - puberty onset: < or = 1.2 ng/mL; Tanner II - IV: < or = 1.2 ng/mL; Adults: Males: < or = 0.5 ng/mL; Premenopausal females: < or = 1.2 ng/mL; Postmenopausal females: < or = 1.8 ng/mL.

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Sunday
Analytic Time

2 - 9 days

Soft Order Code
APGH
MiChart Code
Pituitary Tumor Marker, Alpha Subunit (Sendout)
Synonyms
  • HCG Alpha Subunit
  • Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, Alpha Subunit
  • Alpha Subunit, Pituitary Glycoprotein Hormones
  • Alpha Subunit HCG
  • Alpha PGH
  • Pituitary Glycoprotein Hormones, Alpha Subunit
  • Alpha-Subunit (HCG, TSH, FSH, LH)
  • APGH
Laboratory
Sendout
Reference Laboratory
Mayo APGH (9003)
Section
Special Testing
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Collect specimen in a red top or SST tube. Centrifuge, aliquot serum into a plastic vial and freeze.

Normal Volume
1 ml serum
Minimum Volume
0.35 ml
Additional Information

The alpha-subunit of pituitary glycoprotein hormones assay has been called the alpha-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) assay. However, the assay measures the alpha-subunit of thyroid-stimulating hormone and other pituitary glycoproteins, in addition to that of hCG. Test sent to Mayo Medical Laboratories.

Billing
CPT Code
82397
Fee Code
AA075
LOINC
14170-5