Description
Test detail
Quantitative hCG Pregnancy test
How?
A blood sample
How long?
How to prepare?
No special preparation is needed.
hCG Blood pregancy Test – What You Need to Know
Also Known As: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Test, hCG Test, Qualitative hCG Blood Test, Quantitative hCG Blood Test, Beta-hCG Urine Test
The hCG blood test checks for a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is made during pregnancy. This test can detect pregnancy earlier than a home urine test—usually as soon as 7-10 days after conception.
Why is this test important?
- Early pregnancy detection – Confirms pregnancy before a missed period.
- Tracking pregnancy progress – hCG levels rise quickly in early pregnancy and peak around 8-10 weeks before slowly decreasing.
- Checking for complications – Abnormal hCG levels may suggest concerns like ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage risk, or molar pregnancy.
What do the results mean?
- hCG above 5 mIU/mL usually means pregnancy.
- hCG levels increase rapidly in early pregnancy, and normal ranges depend on how far along you are.
Example hCG Levels During Pregnancy:
- 3 weeks: 5 – 72 mIU/mL
- 4 weeks: 10 – 708 mIU/mL
- 5 weeks: 217 – 8,245 mIU/mL
- 6 weeks: 152 – 32,177 mIU/mL
- 8 weeks: 31,366 – 149,094 mIU/mL
Since levels can vary, it’s best to discuss your results with your healthcare provider.