hCG, Qualitative, Urine

The hCG, Qualitative, Urine test contains 1 test with 1 biomarker.

Brief Description: The Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) qualitative urine test is a urine test that detects hCG in urine. It is used to confirm pregnancy. It can also be used to confirm that there is not a pregnancy before a medical treatment.

Also Known As: Beta hCG Test, Chorionic Gonadotropin Test, hCG Total Qualitative Test, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (Hcg), Qualitative Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Total, Qualitative, Pregnancy Test, Urine Pregnancy Test

Collection Method: Urine collection

Specimen Type: Urine

Test Preparation: No preparation required

When is an hCG Qualitative test ordered?

The timing of pregnancy testing is determined by a woman's accuracy in predicting the day of her menstrual period, as well as the technique of testing employed. Blood tests are more sensitive than urine tests and can be performed two days before a woman's period is expected to begin. By 10 days after a missed menstrual cycle, a urine or blood hCG test can be done with confidence. A woman may be able to ascertain whether she is pregnant the day she misses her period with a urine test, but the result may be mistakenly negative. If the first test is negative but pregnancy is suspected, the test may be repeated at a later date.

When a doctor wants to diagnose or rule out an ectopic pregnancy or monitor a woman after a loss, he or she may perform quantitative blood hCG testing over several days. A woman may first have the standard signs and symptoms of pregnancy, but subsequently develop others that signal the pregnancy is not proceeding as planned.

The following are some of the indications and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Lower abdominal pain or cramps on one side of the pelvis

If left untreated, the following signs and symptoms may worsen:

• Weakness, dizziness
• Fainting or feeling faint
• Blood pressure that is too low
• Suffering from shoulder pain
• In the pelvic area, there is a sudden, severe ache.
• Flu-like symptoms and a fever
• Vomiting

If left untreated, the region around an ectopic pregnancy might burst and hemorrhage, resulting in cardiac arrest and death.

Prior to a medical operation or therapy that could be detrimental during pregnancy, an hCG test may be recommended.

What does an hCG Qualitative Urine test check for?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced by a pregnant woman's placenta. The level of hCG in the blood rises early in pregnancy and is excreted in the urine. A pregnancy test detects human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood or urine and confirms or disproves pregnancy.

During the first few weeks of pregnancy, hCG is crucial for sustaining the corpus luteum's function. During the first trimester of a typical pregnancy, hCG production rises steadily, culminating around the 10th week after the last menstrual cycle. During the duration of the pregnancy, levels gradually decrease. Within a few weeks of birth, hCG is no longer detectable.

The level of hCG in the blood increases at a slower rate when a pregnancy develops outside of the uterus. When an ectopic pregnancy is suspected, monitoring the level of hCG in the blood over time may be helpful in confirming the diagnosis.

Similarly, when a developing baby has a chromosomal problem such as Down syndrome, the hCG blood level may be abnormal. As part of the usual screening for fetal anomalies, an hCG test is utilized in conjunction with a few additional assays.

Sample Ulta Lab Tests View of Qualitative Urine hCG Test Results

Sample Quest Result Report View of Qualitative Urine hCG Test Results

Lab tests often ordered with an hCG Qualitative test:

When a Qualitative hCG Urine test is ordered, it's often part of a broader evaluation of pregnancy health or to rule out or confirm pregnancy as a cause of certain symptoms. Here are some tests and assessments commonly ordered alongside it:

1. Quantitative hCG Blood Test:

   • Purpose: To measure the exact amount of hCG in the blood.
   • Why Is It Ordered: To confirm pregnancy and to help assess the health of the pregnancy in the early stages, including monitoring in cases of suspected ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.

2. Complete Blood Count (CBC):

   • Purpose: To evaluate overall blood health.
   • Why Is It Ordered: To check for anemia or other hematological conditions that are important to address during pregnancy.

3. Blood Type and Rh Factor:

   • Purpose: To determine the mother’s blood group and Rh factor.
   • Why Is It Ordered: To identify potential Rh incompatibility between mother and fetus, which can lead to complications if not managed properly.

4. Urinalysis:

   • Purpose: To analyze various components of the urine.
   • Why Is It Ordered: To check for urinary tract infections, proteinuria, or glycosuria, which can be significant in pregnancy.

5. STD Screening:

   • Purpose: To screen for sexually transmitted diseases.
   • Why Is It Ordered: To ensure the health of the mother and to prevent potential transmission of STDs to the fetus.

6. Thyroid Function Tests:

   • Purpose: To assess thyroid gland function.
   • Why Is It Ordered: Because thyroid function can affect pregnancy health and fetal development.

These tests, when ordered alongside a Qualitative hCG Urine test, provide a comprehensive evaluation of pregnancy health and can help in diagnosing and managing conditions related to pregnancy. They are crucial for confirming pregnancy, assessing the health and development of the fetus, and ensuring the well-being of the mother. The specific combination of tests will depend on the individual’s health status, symptoms, and medical history.

Conditions where an hCG Qualitative test is recommended:

The hCG Qualitative Urine test is crucial in diagnosing and monitoring various conditions, including:

1. Pregnancy: The primary purpose of this test is to confirm pregnancy in its early stages.

2. Ectopic Pregnancy: In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. This test can help identify such cases.

3. Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD): GTD includes conditions like molar pregnancies and gestational trophoblastic tumors, which involve abnormal growth of cells in the uterus.

How does my health care provider use an hCG Qualitative test?

The presence of hCG is detected by qualitative hCG testing, which is commonly used to screen for pregnancy. A test strip is dipped into a collected cup of urine or exposed to a woman's urine stream, depending on the method. Within the time provided by the instructions, generally approximately 5 minutes, a colored line appears. It is critical to properly follow the test recommendations in order to obtain reliable test results. If the test comes out negative, it's usually repeated a few days later. Because hCG levels grow quickly, a previously negative test can become positive in a short period of time.

Quantitative hCG testing, also known as beta hCG testing, determines the amount of hCG in the blood. It's possible that it'll be utilized to confirm a pregnancy. It can also be used in conjunction with a progesterone test to help diagnosis an ectopic pregnancy, diagnose and monitor a failing pregnancy, and/or monitor a woman following a miscarriage.

hCG blood levels, along with a few other tests, can also be used to screen for fetal abnormalities. See First Trimester Down Syndrome Screen or Second Trimester Maternal Serum Screening for further information on this application.

If a woman is about to undergo medical treatment, be put on certain drugs, or have other testing, such as x-rays, that could harm the developing baby, an hCG test may be done to check for pregnancy. This is normally done to make sure the woman isn't expecting. Before any medical intervention, such as an operation, that could potentially harm a fetus, most institutions now screen all female patients for pregnancy using a urine or blood hCG test.

What do my hCG test results mean?

A negative hCG result indicates that a woman is unlikely to be pregnant. However, tests conducted too early in a pregnancy, before a sufficient hCG level has been reached, may result in false-negative results. If there is a strong likelihood of pregnancy, the test may be repeated a few days later.

A positive hCG test indicates that a lady is pregnant.

The level of hcG in a woman's blood rises at a slower rate than normal in an ectopic pregnancy. For the first four weeks of a typical pregnancy, hCG levels double about every two days, then slow to every 3 1/2 and half days by six weeks. Those who had failed pregnancies often have a lengthier doubling time early on, and their hCG concentrations may even fall during the doubling stage. Following a miscarriage, hCG levels will drop rapidly. If hCG levels do not drop to undetectable levels, it could mean that there is still hCG-producing tissue that needs to be removed.

Most Common Questions About the hCG Qualitative Urine test:

Purpose and Clinical Significance

What is the hCG Qualitative Urine test? The hCG Qualitative Urine test is a diagnostic procedure that checks for the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine. hCG is a hormone produced during pregnancy, and its presence in urine typically indicates pregnancy.

Why is the hCG Qualitative Urine test ordered? The primary reason to order the hCG Qualitative Urine test is to confirm pregnancy. It's one of the earliest methods to detect pregnancy, as hCG levels rise rapidly after the implantation of the fertilized egg.

Interpretation of Results

What do the results of the hCG Qualitative Urine test mean? A positive result indicates the presence of hCG in the urine and, therefore, confirms pregnancy. A negative result suggests the absence of hCG, meaning the individual is likely not pregnant. However, if tested too early, a false-negative result may occur, and retesting might be advised.

When is the best time to take the hCG Qualitative Urine test for accurate results? The best time is usually about a week after the missed period. While some tests claim to detect hCG earlier, waiting ensures higher accuracy.

Disease and Complications

Can the hCG Qualitative Urine test detect ectopic pregnancies or miscarriages? The test can detect pregnancy, but it doesn't specify the location of the pregnancy or its viability. If someone suspects an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage, they should seek immediate medical attention. Blood tests and ultrasounds are more appropriate for diagnosing these conditions.

Relation with Other Tests

How does the hCG Qualitative Urine test differ from the hCG blood test? The hCG Qualitative Urine test detects the presence of hCG in urine, while the blood test measures the exact amount of hCG in the bloodstream. The blood test can detect hCG earlier and can be used to monitor the progression of the pregnancy.

Other Questions

How soon after conception can the hCG Qualitative Urine test detect pregnancy? hCG production begins after the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, typically 6-12 days after ovulation. Some sensitive urine tests claim to detect hCG as early as 8 days after conception or 7 days before the expected period.

Does the time of day affect the hCG Qualitative Urine test results? For the most accurate results, it's generally recommended to take the test first thing in the morning when urine is most concentrated.

Can common medications interfere with the hCG Qualitative Urine test results? Most medications, including birth control and antibiotics, do not affect the test results. However, medications containing hCG or used in fertility treatments might give a false positive.

Understanding the hCG Qualitative Urine test, its purpose, and results can be essential for those trying to conceive or confirm a pregnancy. It offers a quick and non-invasive method to detect pregnancy, but further medical consultation and tests are advised to confirm the health and progression of the pregnancy.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.