In pregnancy, which analyte is commonly used as a pregnancy marker?

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Multiple Choice

In pregnancy, which analyte is commonly used as a pregnancy marker?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the analyte commonly used as a pregnancy marker. After implantation, placental trophoblasts start producing hCG, which enters the maternal blood and can be detected in urine. Its early appearance and rapid, characteristic rise in the first trimester make it the detection target for pregnancy tests, whether via qualitative urine tests or quantitative serum assays. This rise also helps clinicians monitor early pregnancy progression. Other listed analytes, like albumin, magnesium, and total protein, are not specific to pregnancy and can change with hydration, nutrition, or liver function, so they aren’t used as pregnancy markers.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the analyte commonly used as a pregnancy marker. After implantation, placental trophoblasts start producing hCG, which enters the maternal blood and can be detected in urine. Its early appearance and rapid, characteristic rise in the first trimester make it the detection target for pregnancy tests, whether via qualitative urine tests or quantitative serum assays. This rise also helps clinicians monitor early pregnancy progression. Other listed analytes, like albumin, magnesium, and total protein, are not specific to pregnancy and can change with hydration, nutrition, or liver function, so they aren’t used as pregnancy markers.

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