hCGSpiegel

hCGSpiegel is the transliteration of the German term hCG-Spiegel, meaning the serum concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). In English-language medical literature the same concept is usually written as hCG level or serum hCG concentration. The measurement is central to obstetrics and related areas of oncology.

Biology and context: hCG is a glycoprotein hormone produced by placental trophoblasts after implantation; it supports progesterone production by the corpus luteum in early pregnancy and serves as a key biomarker for pregnancy. In a normal early pregnancy, hCG levels rise rapidly, typically doubling roughly every 48–72 hours, and peak around 8–11 weeks before plateauing and then gradually declining.

Measurement and units: hCG is measured in blood serum by immunoassays and reported in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL) or international units per liter (IU/L). A non-pregnant person usually has an hCG level below about 5 mIU/mL. Reference ranges vary with gestational age and the specific assay used, so laboratories provide assay-specific guidelines.

Clinical use and interpretation: Quantitative hCG testing is used to confirm pregnancy, estimate gestational progression, and monitor early pregnancy for viability. Abnormal patterns—such as a slower-than-expected rise, lack of rise, or unusually high levels—can indicate ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or gestational trophoblastic disease. Elevated hCG can also occur in certain germ cell tumors or other cancers, though this is less common.

Terminology: While hCG-Spiegel is common in German-language texts, English-language sources typically refer to hCG level or serum hCG concentration.