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Pregnancy Tests
Nov 21, 2008
Pregnancy Tests
Pregnancy tests are designed to detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). HCG is often called the “pregnancy hormone” because it is produced during pregnancy and is made by cells that form the placenta. Blood tests to detect the hormone are conducted by a doctor, while urine tests can be self-performed with a home pregnancy test (HPT).
Blood Tests
Blood tests are slightly more sensitive than urine tests and can detect very small levels of hCG. This allows doctors to get an accurate reading very early on in the pregnancy, about 7 to 12 days after conception.
Most clinics will perform a blood test about two weeks after fertility treatment to check the level of hCG. A level of less than 5mIU/ml is considered negative for pregnancy, and anything above 25mIU/ml is considered positive.
In the event that the pregnancy test is positive, the patient will be asked to repeat the blood tests at 2 to 5 day intervals to check for rising levels of the hormone. In general the hCG level will double every 72 hours. It will reach its peak in the first 8 to 11 weeks of pregnancy and then will decline and level off for the remainder of the pregnancy.
In addition to blood tests, an ultrasound will be performed about five weeks after treatment to confirm pregnancy. The scan will verify if the pregnancy is normally located, appears viable and if there is more than one fetus.
Caution must be used when weighing the importance of hCG numbers. A normal pregnancy may initially have low hCG levels and result in a perfectly healthy baby. It is important to direct any questions and concerns to your doctor about your results.
Home Pregnancy Tests (HPT’s)
HPTs are inexpensive, private and easy to use. These urine tests can detect pregnancy about two weeks after ovulation. Most drugstores sell HPTs over-the-counter and prices can range between $8 and $20.
Many HPTs work in a similar way and consist of placing a drop of urine on a prepared chemical strip or placing the strip in the urine stream. The strip is designed to detect the pregnancy hormone.
HPTs can be quite accurate, but getting precise results depends on many variables including how well the directions are followed, how early after a missed period the test is taken, the brand and sensitivity of the test, and how long it takes the fertilized egg to implant. If a HPT indicates you are pregnant, you should call your doctor right away. He or she can then verify the result.
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I took the clearblue easy pregnacy test and it said that I was pregnant and I did call my doctor and went in to have the blood test done but when it came back she said that something was low but the test said that I was pregnant and now I have to go back next week and do the test all over again so is this a good thing or not cause I don't understand this at all.
i took the clearblue easy pregnacy test and it said that i was pregnant and i did call my doctor and went in to have the blood test done but when it came back she said that something was low but the test said that i was pregnant and now i have to go back next week and do the test all over again so is this a good thing or not cause i don't understand this at all.
I took a pregancy test and it had both lines come up but you could see the other line but it was kinda light and then i drop the test on the floor not meaning to and the line went away could i be pregnant.
I really still think I'm pregnant,first I had a period , that was very light,then 2 weeks later I had 1 that was extremly heavy, then 1 week later ,I started having these growing pains in my breast,1more week later little pains all around my stomach and now my breast our filling up stomach is pooching out Im having moody days a lot, I'm sleepy a lot my taste buds are stronger, my cravings r different, I'm constantly peeing and I had 3 test come out negitive. 1 I bought, a urine test and a blood test also on that same day at the clinic.. I also was tested for thyroids and every test came out good... so I'm really going crazy with this,,, can any one help me...????? Could I still be pregnant ,,,,?????
Anonymous 1 (from Nov 13) -- You could still be pregnant. Your hCG numbers can start off low if you test very early, but what the doctor is checking for is to see if your numbers are doubling every other day. If the numbers do that then that is a very good sign!
Anonymous 2 (from Nov 18) -- I would test again. A line that disappears is generally a negative test, but you should take another one just to be absolutely sure.
Anonymous 3 (from Nov 23) -- If you had your period, have had negative home pregnancy tests and a negative blood test then you are definitely not pregnant, no matter what symptoms you have. Keep trying!!
I have taken 5 Pregnancy Tests that all came back negative and have not missed a period yet. It's been two months.But im just nervous. I fell like i am getting fatter and i pee a lot but i think its all in my head what do you think?
i knw its frustrating! Have you called your doctor? They could give you a blood test and you'd know for sure, and while their at it they can make sure everything is ok. sometimes the signs can show up in your head but a missed period is a pretty big sign. i'd get it checked out
Wondering if your periods are usually normal? If they are and you have not missed one yet then you are most likely not pregnant but eveyone is different. If you think you might be I would make a doctors appt. and get a blood test done. Usually a missed period is your number one sign that you are caring a baby.
I have missed a period and taken a pregnancy test that was negative BUT I have also been taking Lexapro and Bactrim could these drugs affect the tests???
im 20days late and iv taken 2 tests which are negative. i have some signs of being pregnant but i know that could mean anything. iv gotten no cramps or any of my usual pains when my period is on the way. i don't know what's going on! u'd think if i was pregnant, being as late as i am that it would show up on the test!
Home pregnancy tests are pretty darn accurate and there are other things that can cause a missed period (starting with stress!!) but at this point it'd be a good idea to go to your doctor for a blood test. A blood test can detect much lower hCG levels than an over-the-counter urine test and a doctor can also talk to you about other reasons you might have missed your period.
Good luck!
Claire
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Need help or have a question about the site? Contact me!
claire@fertilityauthority.com
I've been having the same problem. I'm almost two weeks late for my period and I never miss one, I'm regular. But 3 tests I've taken all say negative. I've had the nausea, breast tenderness, and lower back ache all the time. It's getting depressing to say the least. Am I pregnant or not? Plus I've had some cramps around the time my period was due but no period. What is going on here?
My husband and i have been trying for six months. I have never been able to eat dairy without getting really sick, until I was pregnant with my first child, while pregnant I could eat it just fine. After the pregnancy I could not eat dairy again. Three months ago I was suddenly able to eat dairy again. I have taken a few test and they all have been negative. BUT with my first they discovered I have a very low level of hCG. I have been getting what looks like my period, only it's not the same as normal. Could I be pregnant? Or can a Body suddenly be able to handle dairy for no reason?
Well, pregnancy does wacky things and while I've never heard of being able to eat dairy when before you couldn't, who knows? I encourage you to call your doctor and schedule a blood test. Then you will have a definitive answer!
Good luck!!
:)
Claire
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Need help or have a question? Contact me!
claire@fertilityauthority.com
I think I had a chemical pregnancy..I took 4 tests that all had faint pos lines..then 2 days later started to spot light pink only when I wiped..the next day it got heavier with a few small clots..which isn't normal 4 me..that lasted 4 2 days then stopped now when I wipe again the light pink is back..I was 9 days late to begin with w/out any signs of my period comin which is why I tested to begin with..HELP!! I'm sooo confused!!
Mommyoffour, this is when I think it's a good time to call your doc and get a blood test for a definitive answer. I hope you find the answer you are looking for!!!
:)
Claire
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Need help with our site? Contact me at claire@fertilityauthority.com. I'm happy to help!
Thanks for the advice Claire..I was hopin that maybe this also happened to someone else that could've given me some better insight on what the hell is happenin to me!! If there is a possibility that I'm still pregnant or not..but thanks anyway!!
Im 5 days late.. but have tested negative on 3 tests? My cycle has always been regular.. Never been late..
Should I wait and re test or call the doctor..3
I would give your doctor a call and see about getting a blood test. Over the counter tests detect different levels of hCG but a blood test can be more definitive.
Good luck!
Claire
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Need help with our site? Contact me at claire@fertilityauthority.com. I'm happy to help!
I have all the symptoms of being pregnant. Nausea in the morning (especially if I try to smoke a cigarette), breast tenderness, chocolate and salt cravings, back aches, difference in periods, tired all the time, mood swings, you name it. I went to my doctor yesterday for birth control and he told me to wait to take it because he thinks I'm pregnant froom all the symptoms. He did a urine pregnancy test which came back negative. 3 years ago i was pregnant with my youngest son and he did multiple blood tests which also came back negative so he isn't counting out the possiblity of pregnancy.
Many friends have told me it is possible for early pregnancy to not show up on home tests, only with a blood test, so I am requesting my doctor give me one since I am almost 2 weeks late and having many pregnancy symptoms.
ive been getting strange feelings that im pregnant, could i be over thinking it. If i am i would be 5 weeks right now. I have not took a test yet cause i think its to soon. I usually get my period for 5-6 days. This time I got it for 2 days only and very heavy. Every now & then I get bad stomach pains and lower back pains. my chest has been breakin out making me itchy i dont know if its a sign or just something normal.
I thought that I was preg. last month and then my period started but it was unusally light but still enought to need a pad.Anyways then i was expecting for my ovulation to be starting late feb and instead I had a pink brownish discharge for about 3 days and no signs of ovulation. One test said neg. Could I still be preg? I also have cramps, headaches, and heartburn(which is really unusual for me.)
My period cycle is 34 to 36. My period are usually heavy for first 2 days then gradually became light. it usually lasted 4 to 5 days. Recently I got very early period about 10 days early and I am never early. The period was very light and lasted 6 days. It was not very normal for me. I waited until the day my period is due then I took the hpt and it came out negative. I tried again 2 days later and it was negative. Why my period was out of cycle for no reason. i am not stressed or anything. Is there any possibility that I am pregnant or is it something else?
I am having a little issue myself. I had my cycle in January on the fourth and it lasted the normal five days. I have yet to recieve it again and it is now March 5th. I have taken five pregnancy test and one said positive (The first one) and the other four said negative. Last week on wed I went to my doctor and took a blood test and the next day she called me with the results that were negative. She said to check with a pregnancy test in about a week and if still negative then come back in to see her. I have two boys already so I know my body and have never missed a period unless pregnant. The doctor asked me how my body was feeling and I told her my breast are growing they grew half a size and very sore even the water in the shower hurts them along with my tummy is a heavy feeling and my lower back is in pain I am very tired all the time does not matter if I sleep five hours or tweleve. She seems to think that I am pregnant but I am not sure what all this mean. Honestly I think that I am. What are anyones thoughts on this?
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