Is Beta hCG Helping You? (October 27, 2011)

Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) plays a pivotal role as tumor markers in some cancers, measures a pregnancy as positive or negative with other developments observed by this hormone and has been linked with a fad diet called the HCG diet.

BETA hCG AS TUMOR MARKERS

The discovery of beta hCG as tumor markers has helped revolutionize some cancer screening, diagnoses, staging and prognosis. These cancers are germ cell tumors and gestational trophoblastic disease. The beta hCG tumor marker is at the top for cancer of the ovaries or testicles because Beta hCG is produced especially from the development of an egg or sperm.

One study had to determine if the marker levels were in relation to the size of tumor or if it had to do with the biological nature of the tumor. Another later study has been done to study tumor marker decline. The findings prove that a delayed rate of decline will give a poorer response of the malignancy to chemotherapy.

What researchers are finding is that we are getting better at tailoring therapy against tumors based on tumor markers. The tailored treatment plan for individuals will help with the survival rate of cancer patients more now than ever before and hopefully decrease the toxicity to the patient during treatments. Although the Beta hCG tumor markers work on specific types of cancers only, it is a huge leap in the right direction of cancer research.

BETA hCG AND PREGNANCY

The hCG hormone signals the female body to start preparing for a fetus when she has conceived. This hormone also notifies the ovaries to stop the release of additional hormones which is what occurs if the woman is going to have monthly menses without conception. That amazing hormone then directs the body to line the uterus while building the placenta and womb in preparation of a new life. The hormone test that measures hCG levels can actually note a pregnancy within two days of implantation or around seven days after the inception.

Beta hCG is present during a pregnancy to support a fertilized egg from the ovary after it attaches to the uterine wall. The hCG is actually produced by the cells that form the placenta. A pegnancy test will detect hCG around 11 days after conception or 12-14 days after conception if urine test is used to detect the amount of hCG. It is known that the levels of this hormone double every three days and continue to do so until they start to peak at weeks 8-11 of the pregnancy. At this point, the hCG levels start declining and will reach a level that is held throughout the pregnancy.

The hCG hormone is measured by milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/ml) and a measurement over 25mIU/ml indicates a positive result for a pregnancy. Under 5mIU/ml indicates a negative reaction to pregnancy. There is no absolute number value of hCG in a pregnant woman. It can vary from person to person. That is what distinguishes the under 5 or over 25mIU/ml indications of pregnancy.

Two important distinctions in hCG tests are the qualitative hCG test which will detect the hormone in the blood and the quantitative hCG test, which is known as the Beta hCG will actually measure the amount of the hormone present in the blood.

BETA hCG DIET

The hCG weight loss diet is a very controversial area between doctors, scientists and researchers. What is known is that any diet that restricts a person to 500 calories per day is going to have a rapid weight loss, whether they are taking hCG injections, drops or pill form. Any person considering this type of diet should be under the care of their physician and preferably one that incorporates weekly hCG injections to help with the weight loss. The premise of the injections is to retain muscle while losing body fat. This type of diet with such a restricted caloric intake will start to burn muscle tissue in an attempt to fuel the body.

There are some very serious consequences if the hCG diet is not followed correctly. It should never be used for more than three months. It should be noted that people who are susceptible to anorexia, binging or purging should never resort to this type of diet.

Another consideration in the use of hCG for dieting is by using your own doctor for the hCG weekly injections, you will receive regulated amounts. Any drops, pills or other forms of hCG advertised on the Internet, sold in vitamin shops or in magazines has no guarantee that it even contains hCG. The production of these forms of hCG is not regulated and if it does contain some hCG, it is not enough to work as a diet supplement.

While we still have many hurdles to jump in the race against cancer, the Beta hCG tumor marker was a huge step. In Beta hCG for pregnancy related issues along with fertility help, learning about this hormone was vital to us. The hCG diet controversy will never be solved as long as people believe that Beta hCG is helping them in their weight loss plan.