Gold standard test for measuring beta HCG – Obstetrics MCQ

Gold standard test for measuring ß HCG levels in serum is?
A. ELISA
B. Bioassay
C. Radioimmunoassay
D. Latex agglutination test

Correct answer : C. Radioimmunoassay

Radioimmunoassay is the most sensitive test for measurement of ß HCG levels in serum.

ELISA plate ELISA plate
Immunological tests for diagnosis of pregnancy

Immunological tests for the diagnosis of pregnancy depend on the detection of ß HCG in the maternal serum or urine. They are of various types:

Agglutination inhibition test
Direct agglutination test
Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Fluoroimmunoassay (FIA)
Radioimmunoassay (RIA)
Immunoradiometric assay (IRMA)

Other uses of ß HCG testing:

Diagnosing ectopic pregnancy
Monitoring patients who have underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer
Follow up of patients after treatment of hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma

Ref: DC Dutta’s Textbook of Obstetrics by Hiralal Konar, 7th ed, p66