HCG, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a polypeptide hormone found in pregnant women during the early stages of pregnancy. The hormone is created in the placenta and is largely responsible for the continued production of progesterone, which itself is an essential hormone to pregnancy. The HCG hormone is also the standard measuring tool in pregnancy test. Once conception occurs, HCG levels begin to increase and can be detected by a standard home pregnancy test. The hormone will then peak approximately 8-12 weeks into pregnancy and then gradually decrease until birth.