Pregnancy test

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Pregnancy test

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Pregnancy test

Definition:

A pregnancy test measures a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) to determine whether a woman is pregnant. The test can be performed on blood (serum) or urine.

There are two types of pregnancy tests -- qualitative, which measures whether the HCG hormone is present; and, quantitative, which measures how much of the hormone is present.

See also:

How the test is performed:

The urine HCG test is usually performed by placing a drop of urine on a prepared chemical strip. It generally takes one or two minutes for the strip to indicate the result.

The serum tests are performed by drawing a single tube of blood and sending it to a laboratory. You may wait anywhere from a few hours to more than a day to get the results.

How the test will feel:

The urine test involves normal urination into a cup. The serum tests involve drawing blood through a needle and into a tube. Any discomfort you might feel from the blood draw will only last a few seconds.

Why the test is performed:

Women who are late for their menstrual period (menses) often perform qualitative urine tests at home. Qualitative tests only indicate whether you are pregnant or not -- yes or no. Home pregnancy tests are available at pharmacies and do not require prescriptions.

Sometimes a qualitative test will be performed at your doctor's to confirm the results of your home test. Doctors also perform a pregnancy test before performing a procedure or prescribing a medication that might adversely affect an existing pregnancy.

The urine test can detect HCG levels above 25-50 milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL). Serum tests can detect HCG levels above 5-10 mIU/mL.

QUANTITATIVE TESTS

Quantitative serum pregnancy testing is usually performed at a hospital or doctor's office. This test measures the amount of HCG in your blood. It can measure amounts ranging from 5 mIU/mL to 2,000,000 mIU/mL or more.

Quantitative testing is performed when it is not sufficient merely to know whether you are pregnant or not. For example, sometimes, your doctor will need to correlate your HCG levels with the progress of your pregnancy.

Ask your doctor to explain the results of your quantitative pregnancy test.

Review Date: 11/30/2004
Reviewed By: Peter Chen, M.D., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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