BETA HCG
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Certified Labs
NABH Accredited
60 mins collection
Not specified
Reports in
3hr
Measures
The level of HCG is measured in milli-international units per millilitre (mIU/mL) of blood.
Identifies
Detects presence and amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in blood.
About The Test
What Is the Beta HCG Test and Why Is It Important?
The Beta HCG test is a blood test that detects and measures the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone produced during pregnancy. This hormone is produced by the placenta shortly after implantation and helps to maintain the growth of the embryo during early pregnancy.
The Beta HCG uses an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect, and measure amounts of HCG in blood. The sample is collected through taking a blood from arm vein then sent to laboratory for analysis.
What Does the Beta HCG Test Measure?
The test measures the amount of HCG in blood, which usually comes in milli-international units per millilitre (mIU/mL). It can pick up even small amounts of HCG since it is so sensitive.
The test measures:
Quantitative HCG: The quantity of HCG in blood which may vary from 5-100,000 mIU/mL
Qualitative HCG: Either a positive or negative test result indicating whether HCG is present in the blood.
When Is the Beta HCG Test Usually Taken?
The Beta HCG test is usually taken:
1. To confirm pregnancy and estimate the gestational age
2. To diagnose and monitor ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.
3. To screen for Down syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities
4. To monitor the progress of pregnancy and the health of the foetus
The test is usually taken at the following times:
Early pregnancy: 7-14 days after conception to confirm pregnancy and estimate gestational age.
Pregnancy monitoring: Throughout pregnancy to monitor how it is coming along and the baby’s health status.
Abnormal pregnancy: As needed to diagnose and monitor ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.
Are There Any Risks or Limitations to the Beta HCG Test?
Risks:
False negative results: This can occur when a woman takes a beta HCG too early after conceiving or too late.
False negative results: In some cases, any of several medical conditions or medications can result in a false positive.
Limitations:
Diagnostic Accuracy: The test is not sensitive enough to identify all pregnancies or abnormal pregnancies.
Chromosomal Abnormalities: This test is not definitive and cannot detect all cases of chromosomal abnormalities.
List of Parameters
What Parameters Are Evaluated in the Beta HCG Test?
The following are the parameters evaluated in beta HCG test:
HCG level: Blood levels of this hormone indicate whether woman is pregnant and how long she has been pregnant.
Gestational age: Estimation of the baby’s age according to HCG levels and the date of last menstrual period (LMP).
Abnormal results: Abnormal levels for HCG and other tests which suggest a ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage etc.
Why This Test
Who Should Consider Taking the Beta HCG Test?
Women who should take Beta HCG Test include those women below:
Women trying to conceive: These individuals may want to confirm their pregnancy by taking up this test and finding out about the duration they are at.
Symptomatic women: To confirm a pregnancy, such women can use the test by having missed periods, fatigue, or feeling sick.
Women at risk for complications: Women who have had an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or other complications may opt to take the test for monitoring reasons
Benefits
Advantages of Beta HCG Tests for Your Health
The beta HCG test offers several health benefits to women, and they include:
Early finding of pregnancy: Early pregnant detection is possible through this test that enables
women access ante-natal care and make informed choices.
Monitoring progress of pregnancy: This test monitors the development of your baby as well as identify any abnormality that might occur.
Recognition of chromosomal abnormalities: These are Down Syndrome among others which can be identified by carrying out the test.
What Diseases Can Be Diagnosed by Beta HCG Tests?
Beta HCG tests are used to diagnose:
Pregnancy: It confirms whether you are expectant and thus helps in establishing gestational age,
Ectopic Pregnancy: The test can ascertain an ectopic pregnancy which occurs when fertilized egg implants outside uterus
Miscarriage: A miscarriage is diagnosed using this method where a termination of your pregnancy happens before the child can survive outside your womb.
Down syndrome: The test could identify Down’s syndrome, a genetic condition that can cause mental and physical retardation.
Test Preparation
Preparing for Your Beta HCG Test
Before you have the test:
Medical history checkup: Tell your doctor about the medical conditions you have or used to have and if there were previous pregnancies.
Understanding the test results: Understand what has happened to your body and see if there is a need for future tests.
Preparing for blood draw: Prepare for getting blood specimen by exposing your arm and removing tight clothing
Procedure:
Drawing blood: Blood sample is drawn from a vein in the arm
Send to laboratory: The blood sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis
Caution:
Wrong results: Some medical conditions or medications can give false readings
Results which are not dependable: Test results may be unreliable when they are conducted too early or too late after fertilization has occurred.
Test Results
Interpreting the Results of Your Beta HCG Test
| HCG Level (mIU/mL) | HCG Level (mIU/mL) | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 5-25 | Non-pregnant or very early pregnancy | Negative test result: Pregnancy not detected |
| 25-50 | Early pregnancy, estimated gestational age 1-2 weeks | Positive test result: Pregnancy confirmed |
| 50-100 | Early pregnancy, estimated gestational age 2-3 weeks | Positive test result: Pregnancy confirmed |
| 100-1,000 | Pregnancy confirmed, estimated gestational age 3-4 weeks | Positive test result: Pregnancy confirmed |
| 1,000-10,000 | Pregnancy confirmed, estimated gestational age 4-6 weeks | Positive test result: Pregnancy confirmed |
| 10,000-100,000 | Pregnancy confirmed, estimated gestational age 6-10 weeks | Positive test result: Pregnancy confirmed |
| Abnormal Results | Ectopic pregnancy: A pregnancy that develops outside the uterus | Abnormal test result: May indicate ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or chromosomal abnormality |
| Miscarriage: A pregnancy that ends before the foetus can survive outside the uterus | ||
| Chromosomal abnormality: A genetic disorder, such as Down syndrome |
FAQs
What is beta HCG test?
The Beta HCG test is a blood assay that detects and measures human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone produced during pregnancy.
Why is beta HCG test taken
It is utilized for confirming pregnancies, dating pregnancies, diagnosing ectopic pregnancies or miscarriages and screening for chromosomal abnormalities.
What are the risks and limitations of beta HCG testing?
The results can be falsely negative or positive; hence diagnostic accuracy may be limited as well as detection of chromosomal defects.
Who should consider taking a Beta HCG test?
Those trying to have children, women experiencing pregnancy symptoms, and those at risk of complications need to think about taking the test.
What are the benefits of taking a Beta HCG test?
The examination has several advantages such as early indication of conception, tracking pregnancy progress and detecting chromosomal abnormalities.