What is the Quantitative Beta hCG Pregnancy Test?
The beta hCG test examines the b hCG levels in pregnancy found within the urine or blood and is used to detect pregnancy. The hormone hCG is additionally referred to as human chorionic gonadotropin. This hormone is secreted throughout the first trimester of pregnancy, and its production decreases through the second and third trimesters.
When is the Quantitative beta hCG pregnancy test done?
A doctor may recommend checking beta hCG levels in pregnancy or for the subsequent reasons:
- To work out the exact age of the fetus.
- To screen for Down’s Syndrome
- To diagnose abnormal pregnancies like molar (an imbalance in the genetic material causes this) and ectopic pregnancies.
- To test for Miscarriage
What are the other forms of b hCG pregnancy test?
Beta hCG in pregnancy is requisitioned as
- hCG blood test-Qualitative
- hCG urine test
- Quantitative serial beta-hCG test
- Repeat quantitative beta-hCG test
- Quantitative blood bioassay
What is the standard reference range for the Quantitative beta hCG test?
A positive value confirms pregnancy The value of hCG levels in pregnancy keeps on changing.
- Negative: but 5 IU/L
- Indeterminate: 5 to 25 IU/L
- Positive: greater than 25 IU/L
The typical levels of hCG in a pregnant woman's blood are:
- 3 to 6 weeks: 6 – 32,177 mIU/mL
- 7 to 11 weeks: 4,059 - 170,409 mIU/mL
- 12 to 15 weeks: 27,107 - 69,747 mIU/mL
- 16 to 18 weeks: 8,904 - 55,271 mIU/mL
Higher than average level may indicate:
- Certain cancerous conditions of the uterus or ovaries
- Having more than one fetus, for instance, twins or triplets
During pregnancy, less than average levels based on the gestational age may indicate:
- Miscarriages
- extrauterine pregnancy
- Fetal death
How is the quantitative beta hCG pregnancy test done?
- The test requires a blood sample
- The test requires no fasting
- This test poses no risk to the patient.
- Results are usually reported within some hours after the blood is drawn.