How do you read hCG urine dipstick?
Place the test dipstick on a non-absorbent, flat surface, start the timer and wait for the red line(s) to appear. Read the result at 3-4 minutes. Do not interpret results after the appropriate read time. It is important that the background is clear before the result is read.
What indicates pregnancy on a dipstick?
Home pregnancy tests can find the presence of a pregnancy hormone (called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG) in a sample of urine. High levels of hCG are made during pregnancy. The home tests have similar results to the pregnancy tests done on urine in most doctors’ offices if they are used exactly as instructed.
How do I read my hCG lab results?
An hCG level of less than 5 mIU/mL is considered negative for pregnancy, and anything above 25 mIU/mL is considered positive for pregnancy. An hCG level between 6 and 24 mIU/mL is considered a grey area, and you’ll likely need to be retested to see if your levels rise to confirm a pregnancy.
At what level of hCG urine test detect?
Urine hCG testing is qualitative, reporting a positive or negative result. The assays detect hCG levels typically starting at 20 to 50 (reportedly as low as 6.3 to 12.5)[19] mIU/mL, corresponding to levels at approximately 4 weeks post-conception. Serum assays can measure beta-hCG as low as 1 to 2 mIU/mL.
What can cause a false positive urine hCG?
Another reason for a false positive test result is the presence of impurities in the urine sample, such as soap, detergent, or blood. Some pregnancy test kits come with cups. Washing the cup may inadvertently contaminate the urine sample if you do not wash out all the soap.
What causes low hCG levels in urine?
Causes of low hCG levels Gestational age miscalculated. Typically, the gestational age of your baby is calculated by the date of your last menstruation. Miscarriage. A miscarriage is a pregnancy loss that occurs before 20 weeks of gestation. Blighted ovum. Ectopic pregnancy.
Is HCG always present in urine?
As pregnancy tests, quantitative blood tests and the most sensitive urine tests usually detect hCG between 6 and 12 days after ovulation . It must be taken into account, however, that total hCG levels may vary in a very wide range within the first 4 weeks of gestation, leading to false results during this period.