title: Elevated human chorionic gonadotropin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease: Case series and review of literature.
abstract: Women are often subjected to serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) testing prior to diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. A positive result leads to further testing to rule out pregnancy and avoid possible fetal teratogenicity. The impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on HCG testing has not been studied. We report a series of 5 women out of 62 with CKD, who had a positive HCG test on routine pre-transplant screening at a single transplant center. We analyzed their case records retrospectively. Despite aggressive investigation, their elevated HCG levels remained unexplained. The positive test contributed to delays in transplantation and increased overall cost of treatment.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension, North Shore/LIJ Health System and Hofstra NSLIJ Medical School, Great Neck, New York, USA.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Soni
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Menon
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Bhaskaran
authors: K D
authors: KD
authors: Jhaveri
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Molmenti
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Muoio
keywords: Human chorionic gonadotropin; kidney disease; transplantation