Pregnancy Test (hCG, Quantitative)

By measuring the exact amount of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) present in the blood, this hCG serum test can confirm a pregnancy with greater accuracy and earlier in gestation than many home pregnancy tests.² HCG is a hormone produced by the placenta. Under the care of your healthcare provider, this test may also be used to help identify an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, monitor an at-risk pregnancy, or confirm a woman is not pregnant before pursuing medical treatments that could negatively impact a developing fetus.¹

Accuracy Matters

As with urine/home pregnancy tests, it is possible to end up with false results (both negative and positive) from a blood pregnancy test.

False Negative Results (test is negative, but you are actually pregnant): usually occur if the blood pregnancy test was performed too early (a rule of thumb is that it takes at least 7 days after conception for the test to show a positive result). So, your negative result is because there may not be enough hCG in the blood to detect a pregnancy. Your hCG levels rise very quickly during early pregnancy. If you believe that you received a false negative result because you tested too soon, and you still have not had a menstrual period, you should repeat the hCG quantitative test again after waiting 48 to 72 hours.2

False Positive Results (test is positive, but you are not pregnant): very rarely happens. You may get this result if you are taking a medication that contains hCG or due to certain medical issues.²