HCG blood test - quantitative

HCG Blood Test - Quantitative

What is the HCG Blood Test?

A quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) blood test is a test that measures the amount of HCG hormone in your blood. This hormone is produced during pregnancy and is thought to play a role in preparing the body for pregnancy. It is usually performed to confirm a pregnancy or to identify an ectopic pregnancy.

Preparation for the HCG Blood Test

There is no special preparation needed for this test. You may be asked to fast for a few hours before the test, so it’s important to follow the instructions your doctor gives you. Also, make sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or have recently been pregnant.

Procedure of the HCG Blood Test

The HCG Blood Test is usually performed in a laboratory. A health care provider will take a sample of your blood and send it to the laboratory for testing. It doesn’t require any special equipment and the results are typically available within 24 hours.

Types of HCG Blood Tests

There are two types of HCG blood tests that may be performed: a quantitative and qualitative test. A quantitative HCG test measures the exact amount of HCG in the blood and is the more accurate of the two tests. A qualitative test simply detects the presence of the hormone, without giving an exact measurement.

Risks of the HCG Blood Test

The risk associated with the HCG Blood Test is minimal. Generally, the only side effect is a slight bruise or infection from the needle used to collect the sample of blood.

Why is the HCG Blood Test Performed?

The HCG Blood Test is often used to confirm or rule out pregnancy. It’s also used to diagnose different types of cancer, such as choriocarcinoma and testicular cancer. Additionally, it can be used to monitor the success of a pregnancy, or to monitor the success of certain types of treatments such as chemotherapy.

When is the HCG Blood Test Performed?

The HCG Blood Test can be performed at any time. Typically, it’s used to confirm or rule out a suspected pregnancy and is most commonly done at the first prenatal visit or when a woman suspects she may be pregnant.