Beta HCG Test for Pregnancy: Procedure, Normal range

Human chorionic gonadotropin which is also referred to as HCG is a compound secreted by the tissue developed during early embryonic development. This tissue after the embryo development progresses forms the part of the placenta. Therefore, measuring hCG levels is helpful in confirming pregnancy. The levels of HCG in blood and urine are detected to confirm the pregnancy. As compared to the urine test, blood tests for HCG are more accurate and specific.

Nowadays the preliminary investigation for the pregnancy is by using the home testing kits available over the counter at the pharmacists store. Although the kits are accurate in detecting the pregnancy, the physicians confirm the pregnancy by blood and urine tests. The blood and urine tests for confirming the pregnancy measure the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels. The sensitivity of the test is a reliable marker for confirming the pregnancy. Even blood tests are recommended over ultrasound detection for early confirmation of pregnancy. 

What is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)? 

During pregnancy, the placenta produces hCG. A woman develops a placenta, a sac that nourishes the egg after fertilization and attaches to the uterine wall. hCG is the hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It is also known as the Pregnancy hormone. 

hCG is produced 10-11 days after conception; however, certain cancers, such as testicular, ovarian, liver, and cervical, also produce hCG in the blood. The level of hCG is highest during the first trimester and later declines during the rest of the pregnancy. A beta hCG test for pregnancy helps measure its level in the blood.

What is the Beta hCG Test? 

The Beta hCG test is a simple blood test that measures the level of hCG in the body. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone the initial embryo produces during pregnancy. The test detects pregnancy complications or multiple pregnancies and confirms a normal pregnancy. The price of the beta hCG test for pregnancy varies based on location, discount, test equipment, and lab authenticity. 

The beta hCG test for pregnancy monitors hCG levels after an abortion. Health experts also call this test a pregnancy test and maternal marker because its primary function is to check pregnancy-related hormones and detect early signs of abnormalities. 

It is also widely recognized as:

• hCG Total 
• Beta hCG
• Chorionic Gonadotropin (CG) 
• Human Chorionic Gonadotropins (hCG)
• Quantitative blood pregnancy test 
• Quantitative hCG test 
• Quantitative serial beta-hCG test 
• Repeat quantitative beta-hCG test

Redcliffe Labs offers a beta hCG test for pregnancy at home in India with the shortest turnaround time (TAT) of 12 hours. Women above 21 can take the beta hCG test for pregnancy to confirm pregnancy and monitor pre-pregnancy health. 

What is the Purpose of the Beta hCG Test? 

The primary purpose of the Beta hCG test is to check health conditions during pregnancy. There are various other reasons for the Beta hCG test. 

• Verify Pregnancy- The hCG test is an essential diagnostic tool that measures the hCG levels in the blood within the first 10 days after conception. It can confirm pregnancy. 
• Identify Symptoms- Symptoms like vaginal bleeding and cramps during pregnancy display that maybe you are at risk of miscarriage or have an ectopic pregnancy. 
• Monitor Pregnancy Progress—If symptoms occur, a doctor may recommend the beta hCG test to monitor pregnancy progress and assess the mother's and fetus's health, well-being, and overall health. 
• Diagnose abnormal pregnancies- This test can detect both ectopic pregnancies and molar pregnancies. The latter means embryo implantation outside the uterus, while the former means abnormal cell proliferation. 

What is the Beta hCG Test for Pregnancy Used For? 

The beta hCG test can measure pregnant hCG levels in the 1st week to 6 weeks. A healthcare professional may use the test for: 

• Confirming pregnancy 
• Diagnosing ectopic pregnancy, i.e., pregnancy in a location other than usual 
• Detecting suspected tumors, like teratomas, ovarian germs, and testicular tumors. 
• Screening genetic diseases like Trisomy 18 and Down syndrome. 
• Determining medical conditions like ovarian cancer, cirrhosis, testicular cancer, ovarian tumors, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). 

What Does the Beta-hCG Test for Pregnancy Measure? 

The beta hCG test for pregnancy measures your hormone levels during pregnancy to check for hormonal imbalances. The hCG levels increase during the first trimester and gradually decline during the rest of pregnancy. The beta hCG test monitors the hCG levels. 

What are the Benefits and limitations of the Beta hCG Test for Pregnancy? 

The hCG test for pregnancy carries both advantages and disadvantages. 

Benefits of Beta hCG Test 

• The beta hCG levels can locate the risk of pregnancy complications and miscarriage. 
• The test can help a healthcare provider monitor pregnancy efficiency and progress.
• It can detect pregnancy faster than other methods, sometimes a week after ovulation. 

Limitations of Beta hCG Test in Pregnancy

• A high level of beta hCG during pregnancy can also result in ectopic pregnancy. 
• Too early testing can result in false-negative results. 
• Certain medical conditions may influence the beta hCG test results, causing a direct impact on its accuracy. 

When to do a Beta hCG Test for Pregnancy? 

The hCG pregnancy test helps detect pregnancy as soon as 10 days after conception. The following signs indicate when to do a beta hCG test for pregnancy: 

• Lower back pain 
• Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area 
• Cramping on one side of the pelvis 
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Feeling bloated 
• Swollen in the abdomen or body 
• Fatigue 
• Tender or swollen breasts 
• Frequent urination 

Procedure for Testing 

Nowadays, the tests for Beta HCG involve the detection of the binding of monoclonal antibodies to  HCG. In the HCG molecule the beta-subunits of interest. This test is a clear marker as the binding is specific and rules out the cross-reaction mostly with the luteinizing hormone which is commonly referred to as LH.

Following are the two types of investigations for HCG determination,

Urine Testing

• It is advised by the laboratory technician that urine samples should not be submitted by the patient drinking large amounts of water. It is observed that a dilute urine sample has greater chance to depict a  falsely negative test.
• The other interfering factor is blood traces in the urine sample. This may result in a false positive result for the urine test.

Serum Testing

• In order to conduct the serum testing, the laboratory technician obtains the peripheral blood for determining the serum HCG levels.
• A healthcare professional will wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to make veins visible and stop the blood flow. 
• They will locate an appropriate vein and clean it with an antiseptic to prevent bacterial infection. 
• They insert a sterile syringe into the vein to collect blood. 
• After collecting, they will transfer the sample to the test tube for testing. 
• On the punctured site, put a cotton swab to prevent blood flow. 
• Once the blood collection is completed, they will transport the sample to the lab for testing. 
• You will receive the beta hCG test reports within 12 hours from Redcliffe Labs. 

Preparation for Beta hCG Levels for Pregnancy 

Beta hCG levels for pregnancy is a blood test that requires no major preparations. The test needs no fasting, i.e., you can eat and drink before the test. However, some healthcare professionals may recommend fasting based on your health, past infections, diet, and family history. Here are some basic preparation tips to keep in mind before the beta hCG test:

• Inform your doctor whether you are taking any medications
• Avoid consuming alcohol, tobacco, and smoking 
• Drink enough fluids (8-10 glasses of water) to stay hydrated 
• Inform your doctor about if you have any allergies or underlying conditions. 
• Avoid or limit the consumption of caffeinated beverages. 

When should you take the Beta hCG Test for Pregnancy? 

There is no fixed time for the beta hCG test, but a woman should take the hCG test after a missed period. The pregnancy test ensures accurate detection of hCG levels, which may arise during early pregnancy. Besides, too early testing may appear to have a negative result even if you are pregnant. 

Who should take the Beta hCG Test? 

• Pregnant women
• Women with a history of miscarriage
• Women with certain abnormal symptoms 
• Women undergoing fertility treatment
• Women with a family history of choriocarcinoma
• Women experiencing unusual bleeding or severe cramping 

Normal Levels of HCG in Serum of Pregnant Women

It is postulated by the researchers that the HCG which is secreted by the tissue surrounding the developing embryo or more specifically referred to as implanting blastocyst is significantly detected in the maternal blood after about 6-8 days approximately post fertilization. The HCG levels thereafter seem to increase more rapidly and reach around peak values at nearly 7-10 weeks. 

The Beta hCG values for detecting pregnancy are given below,

1. The pregnancy test is negative: HCG value less than 5 IU/L
2. The pregnancy test is Indeterminate: HCG value is 5 to 25 IU/L
3. The pregnancy test is positive: HCG value is greater than 25 IU/L

The second range of indeterminate value is not conclusive and is suggested to undergo repeated HCG tests after a few days or suggested ultrasound. Also, the levels of the beta hCG are tested to monitor healthy pregnancy. Pregnancy with twin fetuses can be depicted with high values of beta hCG levels.

The over-the-counter available pregnancy test kits have a sensitivity of nearly 25 units per liter of urine. These OTC kits are known to show positive results within  3-4 days post-implantation of the blastula. It is noted that by nearly 7 days and nearly around the date of the start of menstruation, almost  98% of the positive samples will be detected as true positives. So, it is observed that any negative result even after one week of missing the period signifies that the woman is not carrying or pregnant. Also, the OTC test kits that are available depicting false positive test results because of any interfering substances is of rare occurrence. 

Risks Associated with the Beta hCG Test for Pregnancy

The pregnancy test has no major risk associated with it. The syringe may cause excessive bleeding, fainting, hematoma, various punctures, bruises, swollen veins, skin infection on the site, and lightheadedness. These signs are not complex and disappear in no time. 

Understanding the Beta hCG Test for Pregnancy Results

The hCG level increases significantly in the first trimester which declines during the rest of the pregnancy. The beta hCG test report helps a person & a healthcare provider interpret hCG levels. The result can either be lower or higher than the normal range. 

Certain factors can affect the test results and the hCG test normal range. Read more here: https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/pregnancy-test/10-factors-affecting-hcg-beta-test-results/ 

The beta hcg test for pregnancy range is listed below: 

Weeks of Pregnancy	Reference Value (mIU/mL)
Non-pregnant	55-200 ng/mL
3 weeks	5-50
4 weeks	5-426
5 weeks	19-7,340
6 weeks	1,080-56,500
7-8 weeks	7,650- 2,29,000
9-12 weeks	25,700- 2,88,000
13-16 weeks	3,300-2,53,000
17-24 weeks (second trimester)	4.060-1,65,400
25-week term of pregnancy (third trimester)	3,640- 1,17,000
After several days postpartum	< 5

What is a Positive Beta hCG Test? 

The beta-hCG test result may be lower or higher than the normal range. If your test result is outside the normal range, it can indicate various things. Here is what it means. 

hCG Levels Lower than Normal 

• An ectopic pregnancy
• Sign of miscarriage
• Sign of miscalculation of pregnancy dating 

hCG Levels Higher than Normal

• Sign of miscalculation of pregnancy dating 
• Chances of multiple pregnancies: twins or triples 
• Molar pregnancy occurs when an abnormal mass inside the uterus forms after fertilization instead of a normal embryo. 

What are the benefits of Beta HCG in the normal range?

Understanding the normal range of HCG for various medical and diagnostic purposes is essential. 

• Confirms early pregnancy: One primary benefit of the Beta HCG normal range is that it confirms early pregnancy, even before a missed period. Additionally, a rising HCG level indicates a progressing pregnancy. 
• Detects multiple pregnancies: The test also helps identify numerous pregnancies. Higher-than-normal HCG levels may suggest twins or triplets. Your doctor may recommend an ultrasound test to confirm the same. 
• Helps in fertility treatments: Normal HCG levels are also crucial to evaluate the success of IVF or fertility treatments. 
• Suggests healthy pregnancy: HCG normal levels also suggest a healthy pregnancy. Abnormal range may indicate complications like ectopic pregnancy (low HCG), miscarriage risk (declining HCG), and molar pregnancy (excessively high HCG). 
• Helps in cancer diagnosis and monitoring: If you are not pregnant, elevated HCG levels can indicate testicular cancer in men, ovarian cancer in women, and gestational trophoblastic tumors. 
• Proper recovery after loss: Normal HCG levels ensure optimal recovery from pregnancy loss. Moreover, high HCG levels can help detect retained pregnancy tissue. 
• Evaluate hormonal disorders: Hormonal imbalances can cause abnormal HCG levels, making it useful for diagnosis. 
• Indicates Trisomy 18 (Edward Trisomy) and Down’s syndrome (Trisomy 21): Low HCG levels might indicate an increased risk of trisomy 18, and high HCG levels are associated with Trisomy 21. 

What are the shortcomings of the Beta HCG Test?

While the beta HCG test helps confirm pregnancy and other medical diagnoses. It has some limitations that you should be aware of:

• False positives and false negatives: High HCG levels can be detected (false positive) even when you are pregnant. It is due to certain medicines, tumors, or cancers that produce HCG or a recent miscarriage or abortion.

Additionally, the test may fail to detect pregnancy from a home pregnancy test when you are not pregnant. You might get false negative results when you take the test too early. 

• Does not indicate fetal health: The Beta HCG test can confirm pregnancy but doesn’t indicate fetal health like heartbeat and development. Hence, he may suggest an ultrasound to determine pregnancy viability. 
• Additional testing is needed: The test may suggest an ectopic pregnancy, but it doesn’t provide a definite diagnosis. Hence, a doctor is likely to recommend a transvaginal ultrasound for confirmation. 
• Variation in HCG curves: Even normal HCG levels can show variation in HCG levels. A single HCG measurement cannot determine the viability of a pregnancy. Hence, serial testing is needed to track trends over time. 
• Cannot detect congenital disabilities: Beta HCG alone does not assess genetic abnormalities in the fetus. A doctor may suggest other tests to confirm congenital disabilities, such as developmental, cognitive, social, and language skill delays. 
• Not a definitive diagnostic cancer tool: The HCG levels can be elevated due to testicular, ovarian, and trophoblastic cancer, but it is not a cancer diagnosing tool. Imaging tests and biopsy may be suggested. 
• HCG levels can fluctuate anytime. Because HCG levels can fluctuate by week of pregnancy, they are not considered for fertility treatments. Additional hormone tests may be suggested for a thorough assessment. 

Can a Beta hCG Test be False Positive? 

The bet hCG test can be false positive and false negative because of certain factors. A false negative result occurs if the test was performed too early, while a false positive result happens very rarely, usually because of certain medications or medical issues. 

Beta hCG Test Price @ Redcliffe Labs 

The price of the beta hCG test varies on various factors, including location, discount, and lab equipment. Redcliffe Labs has a wide array of 3600+ tests, including routine and genetic tests, at an affordable test price. The beta hCG test price is accessible across India, and it has a home sample collection and the shortest turnaround time (TAT). 

Conclusion

Beta HCG is a marker test for confirmation of pregnancy in blood and urine. Although it is an accurate test to confirm pregnancy, interfering factors can result in false positive and false negative results. In case of results that are non-determinant, it is advised to repeat the tests after a few days. Urine test is not reliable as compared to a blood test as dilute urine samples can have low levels of HCG for accurate detection. There are certain conditions that cause increased beta-HCG levels in the case of twin, ectopic, heterotopic pregnancy, and miscarriage. Also, the high levels of beta HCG depict abnormal germ cells, cells of the placenta, and the tissues of embryos.

FAQs

Ques1 Why do you need the beta hCG test? 

Ans1: You need a beta hCG test if you are pregnant. Some healthcare providers may advise you to take a beta hCG test to screen and locate the fetus’s age. 

Ques2 Does the Beta hCG test confirm pregnancy? 

Ans2: Yes, the beta hCG test confirms pregnancy during the first 10 days after conception. The test can verify, monitor, and detect certain pregnancy-related health issues. 

Que3 Why does a doctor recommend the Beta HCG test?

Ans3: A doctor recommends the Beta HCG test to detect human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels, which indicate pregnancy. The test also helps monitor pregnancy progression or diagnose certain cancers. 

Que4 What is the best time to do the beta HCG test?

And4: The best time to do the Beta HCG test after a missed period to confirm pregnancy. Doctors may recommend serial testing every 2-3 days to monitor progression or detect complications.

Que5 Is the beta HCG test 100% accurate?

And5: The beta HCG test is highly accurate in detecting pregnancy, but it is not 100% accurate. Depending on several factors, the test can show false positive or false negative results, and additional testing may be needed. 

Que6 Why do men undergo the Beta HCG test?

Ans6: Men undergo the Beta HCG levels to diagnose testicular cancer or monitor tumor markers. Also, it helps evaluate pituitary disorders or monitor hormonal treatments. 

Que7 How long does it take to receive the HCG test results?

Ans7: The Beta HCG test results are typically available within 12 hours from Redcliffe Labs. Download the reports from the website.