HCG REFERENCE SERVICE
REFER A PATIENT TO THE HCG REFERENCE SERVICE

The reference service process requires 5 mL of serum and 10 mL of urine collected in parallel. Blood should be separated in red-top tubes (usually two 10 mL red-top tubes will give sufficient serum).

The urine and separated serum (do not send whole blood, do not send separated blood in glass tubes) should be frozen and shipped to the reference laboratory by overnight carrier service with frozen blue ice or cold packs (please do not use dry ice).

The sample shipment should include a letter by a physician or clinical laboratory requesting the hCG Reference Service, a summary of the patient's medical history, and any previous hCG test results (list dates, test values, and make of hCG kit). Name, address, phone number and fax number of referring physician or referring clinical laboratory are needed for the hCG Reference Service report.

The hCG Reference Service is a non-profit facility. A one time fee of $832 is charged to cover the costs of the consultation. No charge is made for the 30-50 immunoassays run on the samples by the service.

All orders must include purchase order from the medical institution, or a check from the patient (made out to the USA hCG Reference Service). The latter method (check) is by far the easiest. Paperwork will be provided to patients for reclaiming funds from their medical insurance. While bearing in mind we perform these procedures for actual cost, we will not refuse service to Medicaid/Medicare patients.

To submit samples (with coolant), ship to the following address:

Laurence A. Cole, Ph.D
hCG Reference Service
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
attn: Sarah Khanlian
BMSB G64
915 Camino de Salud
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131

After samples have been shipped, please email Dr. Cole with the tracking number (larry@hcglab.com)

For further information, contact the hCG Reference Service:

Laurence A. Cole, Ph.D.
hCG Reference Service
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

MSC10 5580
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001

Telephone: (505) 272-6137,
Fax: (505) 272-6385,
E-mail: larry@hcglab.com


Refer a patient to the hCG Reference Service hCG Reference Service HOME PAGE hCG Reference Service Report 2002 Principal of hCG test and of discordant results Synthesis and degradation of hCG Specialized tests at hCG Reference Service False positive of phantom hCG tests Potential sources of hCG in and outside of pregnancy hCG levels during normal pregnancy About Laurence A. Cole, Ph.D. Other important contacts	HCG REFERENCE SERVICE REFER A PATIENT TO THE HCG REFERENCE SERVICE The reference service process requires 5 mL of serum and 10 mL of urine collected in parallel. Blood should be separated in red-top tubes (usually two 10 mL red-top tubes will give sufficient serum). The urine and separated serum (do not send whole blood, do not send separated blood in glass tubes) should be frozen and shipped to the reference laboratory by overnight carrier service with frozen blue ice or cold packs (please do not use dry ice). The sample shipment should include a letter by a physician or clinical laboratory requesting the hCG Reference Service, a summary of the patient's medical history, and any previous hCG test results (list dates, test values, and make of hCG kit). Name, address, phone number and fax number of referring physician or referring clinical laboratory are needed for the hCG Reference Service report. The hCG Reference Service is a non-profit facility. A one time fee of $832 is charged to cover the costs of the consultation. No charge is made for the 30-50 immunoassays run on the samples by the service. All orders must include purchase order from the medical institution, or a check from the patient (made out to the USA hCG Reference Service). The latter method (check) is by far the easiest. Paperwork will be provided to patients for reclaiming funds from their medical insurance. While bearing in mind we perform these procedures for actual cost, we will not refuse service to Medicaid/Medicare patients. To submit samples (with coolant), ship to the following address: Laurence A. Cole, Ph.D hCG Reference Service University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center attn: Sarah Khanlian BMSB G64 915 Camino de Salud Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 After samples have been shipped, please email Dr. Cole with the tracking number (larry@hcglab.com) For further information, contact the hCG Reference Service: Laurence A. Cole, Ph.D. hCG Reference Service Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology MSC10 5580 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001 Telephone: (505) 272-6137, Fax: (505) 272-6385, E-mail: larry@hcglab.com
	hCG Reference Service HOME PAGE introduction to hCG and the hCG Reference Service hCG Reference Service Report 2002 medical report on the experience of the hCG Reference Service, 1997-2002, with false positive hCG results, quiescent gestational trophoblastic disease and unexplained elevated hCG. The report also examines and compares the performance of professional laboratory hCG tests. Principal of hCG test and causes of discordant results how the hCG test works and why sometimes it gives discord or erroneous results Synthesis and degradation of hCG the production of hCG in trophoblast cells, abnormal production, and dissociation, nicking and degradation of hCG after secretion Specialized tests at hCG Reference Service the specialized hCG assays run by the hCG Reference Service to help identify the source and nature of hCG False positive of phantom hCG tests false positive or phantom hCG tests, the mechanisms that cause hCG assays to give mistaken results, and the potentially devastating clinical consequences Potential sources of hCG in and outside of pregnancy the biological sources of hCG: normal pregnancy, early pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy, gestational Down syndrome, hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma cells, germ cell and other non-trophoblastic malignancies; pituitary hCG production, and phantom or false-positive hCG hCG levels during normal pregnancy the widely varying hCG levels observed during the course of normal pregnancy Refer a patient to the hCG Reference Service how to seek help from or refer a patient to the hCG Reference Service, the samples needed and patients history and insurance requirements About Laurence A. Cole, Ph.D. curriculum vitae of Laurence A. Cole, Ph.D., Director of the hCG Reference Service Other important contacts centers throughout the world specializing in the treatment of Trophoblastic Diseases and laboratories and scientists with expert knowledge in the endocrinology, chemistry and testing for hCG
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HCG REFERENCE SERVICE REFER A PATIENT TO THE HCG REFERENCE SERVICE

HCG REFERENCE SERVICE
REFER A PATIENT TO THE HCG REFERENCE SERVICE