The HCG pregnancy test has its own characteristics and precautions that need to be noted during the testing process. Here are the specific introductions:

Characteristics

• Quick and Convenient: Whether it is the early pregnancy test strip for urine testing or the blood test in the hospital, results can be obtained within a relatively short period of time. The urine test usually allows the results to be observed within a few minutes, and the blood test report can generally be obtained on the same day, providing women with information on whether they are pregnant quickly.
• High Sensitivity: This test can detect extremely low levels of HCG. In particular, the detection of β-HCG in blood can detect pregnancy in the early stage, even before a woman’s menstrual period is delayed, helping women to understand their physical condition as early as possible and carry out prenatal care in a timely manner.
• Good Accuracy: When operated correctly, the HCG pregnancy test has relatively high accuracy. The accuracy of blood testing can reach about 99%, and that of urine testing can also reach more than 90%, providing a reliable basis for clinical diagnosis and self-judgment.
• Widely Used: Besides being used for early pregnancy diagnosis, it can also be applied to the diagnosis and monitoring of various pregnancy-related diseases such as ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and trophoblastic diseases. It plays an important role in obstetrics and gynecology clinical practice and assisted reproductive technologies.

Precautions

• Testing Time: Generally speaking, HCG can be detected in the blood 7 to 10 days after pregnancy, while it can be detected in the urine a little later, usually about 1 week after the menstrual period is delayed. Testing too early may result in false negative results due to the low level of HCG. It is recommended to choose an appropriate testing time according to one’s own situation.
• Testing Methods:
  • Urine Testing: It is advisable to use the first morning urine as the concentration of HCG in the first morning urine is relatively high, which can improve the testing accuracy. During the testing, it is necessary to follow the instructions strictly. Pay attention that the urine should not exceed the marked line on the test strip to avoid improper operation affecting the results.
  • Blood Testing: Fasting is usually not required before the test, but some hospitals may have special requirements. It is recommended to consult in advance. After blood sampling, press the puncture site properly to avoid local bruising.
• Result Interpretation:
  • False Positive: Certain diseases such as endocrine diseases and tumors may lead to an increase in the level of HCG in the body, resulting in false positive results. Therefore, if the test result is positive but the clinical symptoms are not typical or there are doubts, it is necessary to combine other methods such as ultrasound examination for further confirmation.
  • False Negative: Testing too early, diluted urine, problems with the quality of the test strip, etc. may all lead to false negative results. If there are doubts about the test results, you can retest a few days later or go directly to the hospital for a blood test.
• Special Situations: For women who have received ovulation induction treatment, are pregnant with multiple fetuses, or are in other special situations, the changes in the level of HCG may be different from those in a normal pregnancy. It is necessary to inform the doctor of the detailed treatment situation and medical history so that the doctor can accurately judge the test results.