Can blood test detect pregnancy at 2 weeks
Knowing if you are pregnant
A missed period is often the first clue that a woman might be pregnant. Sometimes, a woman might suspect she is pregnant even sooner. Read on to learn when and how to test for pregnancy.
Pregnancy tests
A missed period is often the first clue that a woman might be pregnant. Sometimes, a woman might suspect she is pregnant even sooner. Symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and breast tenderness, can occur even before a missed period. The wait to know can be emotional. These days, many women first use home pregnancy tests (HPT) to find out. Your doctor also can test you.
All pregnancy tests work by detecting a special hormone in the urine or blood that is only there when a woman is pregnant. It is called human chorionic gonadotropin(kohr-ee-ON-ihk goh-NAD-uh-TROH-puhn), or hCG. hCG is made when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. hCG rapidly builds up in your body with each passing day you are pregnant.
Home pregnancy tests
HPTs are inexpensive, private, and easy to use. Most drugstores sell HPTs over the counter. The cost depends on the brand and how many tests come in the box. They work by detecting hCG in your urine. HPTs are highly accurate. But their accuracy depends on many things. These include:
- When you use them – The amount of hCG in your urine increases with time. So, the earlier after a missed period you take the test the harder it is to spot the hCG. Some HPTs claim that they can tell if you are pregnant one day after a missed period or even earlier. But a recent study shows that most HPTs don't give accurate results this early in pregnancy. Positive results are more likely to be true than negative results. Waiting one week after a missed period will usually give a more accurate result. You can take the test sooner. But just know that a lot of pregnant women will get negative test results during the first few days after the missed period. It's a good idea to repeat the test again after a week has passed. If you get two negative results but still think you're pregnant, call your doctor.
- How you use them – Be sure to check the expiration date and follow the directions. Many involve holding a test stick in the urine stream. For some, you collect urine in a cup and then dip the test stick into it. Then, depending on the brand, you will wait a few minutes to get the results. Research suggests waiting 10 minutes will give the most accurate result. Also, testing your urine first thing in the morning may boost the accuracy. You will be looking for a plus sign, a change in color, or a line. A change, whether bold or faint, means the result is positive. New digital tests show the words "pregnant" or "not pregnant". Most tests also have a "control indicator" in the results window. This line or symbol shows whether or not the test is working. If the control indicator does not appear, the test is not working properly. You should not rely on any results from a HPT that may be faulty.
- Who uses them – The amount of hCG in the urine is different for every pregnant woman. So, some women will have accurate results on the day of the missed period while others will need to wait longer. Also, some medicines affect HPTs. Discuss the medicines you use with your doctor before trying to become pregnant.
- The brand of test – Some HPT tests are better than others at spotting hCG early on.
The most important part of using any HPT is to follow the directions exactly as written. Most tests also have toll-free phone numbers to call in case of questions about use or results.
If a HPT says you are pregnant, you should call your doctor right away. Your doctor can use a more sensitive test along with a pelvic exam to tell for sure if you're pregnant. Seeing your doctor early on in your pregnancy can help you and your baby stay healthy.
Blood tests
Blood tests are done in a doctor's office. They can pick up hCG earlier in a pregnancy than urine tests can. Blood tests can tell if you are pregnant about six to eight days after you ovulate. Doctors use two types of blood tests to check for pregnancy:
- Quantitative blood test (or the beta hCG test) measures the exact amount of hCG in your blood. So it can find even tiny amounts of hCG. This makes it very accurate.
- Qualitative hCG blood tests just check to see if the pregnancy hormone is present or not. So it gives a yes or no answer. This blood test is about as accurate as a urine test.
All material contained on these pages are free of copyright restrictions and maybe copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.
Page last updated: February 22, 2021
How Soon Can a Blood Test Confirm Pregnancy? And More Questions, Answered - Lona Sasser
If you think you might be pregnant, you may be able to wait the recommended two weeks for an accurate urine test. Or, you may wish to know sooner! If you are wondering how soon can a blood test confirm pregnancy, or if you have more questions related to pregnancy confirmation, you’ll find some important information below. And if you are looking for the best pregnancy care available near Coral Springs, Florida, book an appointment at our practice! We have two of South Florida’s top-rated ob-gyns practicing under one roof at Lona Sasser Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Pregnancy Confirmation Question #1: How Soon Can a Blood Test Confirm Pregnancy?The answer to the question, “How soon can a blood test confirm pregnancy?” is 7 to 12 days after you conceive. However, according to American Pregnancy, “It is possible that these tests can be done too early and show a false negative result. If you receive a negative result and still do not start your period, another test should be done.” If you are eager to find out whether you are pregnant or not, a blood test can confirm pregnancy sooner than other methods. You can easily book online for an appointment at our practice!
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Pregnancy Confirmation Question #2: What Are Other Ways of Confirming Pregnancy?A missed menstrual cycle is one important sign that you may be pregnant. Especially if your periods are regular, a missed period is an indicator of possible pregnancy, and you may want to seek further confirmation with either a urine test or blood test. Urine and blood tests both test for the same pregnancy hormone: human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. Your body begins to produce this hormone as soon as a fertilized egg implants in the uterus, and rapidly produces more of this hormone each day of your pregnancy.
How Soon Can a Blood Test Confirm Pregnancy? Steps You Can TakeNow that we have answered your question, “How soon can a blood test confirm pregnancy?” book an appointment for confirmation of pregnancy at Lona Sasser Obstetrics and Gynecology in Coral Springs. If you are seeking a new obstetrician, we can help you transfer your care to our office.
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Patient TestimonialsRead what patients have to say about their experiences with obstetrical care at our practice:
“This is my first pregnancy and I had a lot of fears and questions. Dr. Squire-De Leon was calm and answered every question I had. Took a lot of anxiety away from me.” – Anonymous Patient on ZocDoc
“Love Dr. Sasser… She delivered my daughter when I lived in Coral Springs and even though I’ve moved more than 30 minutes away I love her so much that I have decided to stay with her no matter how far I have to travel. So worth it to have an OB-GYN that I love!!! She makes you feel so comfortable and has always been there for me when I needed. Even if it was calling in the middle of the night with an emergency she always got back to me. Thankful such amazing doctors still exist!” – Nicole Y. on Facebook
Sources for This Article:
Taking a Pregnancy Test – American Pregnancy
Am I Pregnant? – Central Carolina Obgyn
Blood test for pregnancy in the early stages - why you need and how to donate blood
Blood test for pregnancy is a procedure that is necessary to identify existing pathologies. It also allows you to determine the very presence of pregnancy, since it detects the presence in the blood of a woman of a hormone called "chorionic gonadotropin" (hCG).
In a situation where conception has not occurred, this substance is not produced in the patient's body, since its appearance is associated with the formation of the chorion. This is the tissue that occurs between the endometrium and the zygote after the attachment of a fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus. nine0003
Reasons for testing
A blood test can show pregnancy as early as six days after a successful conception. Whereas a standard pregnancy test in some cases can give incorrect results. Therefore, tests during pregnancy are prescribed to determine such conditions as:
- Establishment of the actual fact of conception
- Assessment of hormonal background for failures
- Tracking abnormal pregnancy types:
- Frozen - in this case, at a certain stage, the embryo stops its development
- Ectopic - in this situation, the zygote is not attached to the wall of the uterus, but in the fallopian tube
Also, a blood test shows the presence of infections, other types of body dysfunctions and diseases such as:
- Cytomegalovirus
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Herpes
- Chlamydia
- Hepatitis
- Ureaplasmosis
- HIV
- Mycoplasmosis
- Syphilis
- Leptospirosis
- Chlamydia
Any of these diseases is a danger not only to the body of the woman herself, but also to her unborn child. Therefore, if there are deviations in the results of the blood test, the doctor sends the patient for an additional examination. nine0003
Changes in hCG during pregnancy
After the physical onset of conception, the level of hCG in the female body begins to rise, and every two to three days its concentration almost doubles. It reaches its highest level at 8-11 weeks, and then it begins to gradually decrease.
The first analysis can be taken on the 6th day of the expected delay, but the result will be more accurate on the 11-12th day. Therefore, doctors recommend undergoing a blood test two to three times (every two days later). nine0003
Monitoring the level of hCG allows you to monitor the dynamics of pregnancy, the appearance of pathologies, etc.:
- In ectopic pregnancy, the level of the hormone practically does not increase
- If the development of the embryo has stopped, then the level of hCG drops from the moment of its death
Usually the result of the analysis is compared with a special table. In the first or second weeks, the concentration of hCG can range from 25 to 700 units, at the peak of the value it can reach 18,000–240,000 units, and at the end of the gestational age - 2,179-60,000 units.
After establishing the fact of conception, the doctor refers the patient to other blood tests:
- General
- Biochemical
- For clotting
- For hepatitis and HIV
- For TORCH infections
- For genetic pathologies
- For Rh factor and blood group (if not previously determined) nine0011 For the content of hormones produced by the thyroid gland
- Antiphospholipid syndrome
- For STDs
Causes of deviation from the norm of the hormone hCG
Normally, after the onset of pregnancy, the level of human chorionic gonadotropin should gradually increase. If it decreases, then the doctor may assume the presence of such problems as:
- In the early stages:
- Fetal death
- Probability of spontaneous termination of pregnancy
- Missing embryo in ovum
- Late term:
- Placental abruption
In some cases, a low level of hCG may be associated with an incorrectly calculated gestational age. Therefore, in order to determine the exact cause of low hormone levels, early pregnancy tests are usually performed, as well as several types of other examinations. nine0003
Causes of an increase in hCG levels
In the results of blood tests, the level of hCG can be seriously higher than normal for the following reasons:
- Presence of toxicosis
- More than one fetus
- Occurrence of hydatidiform mole
- Presence of genetic problems
- Complication due to diabetes mellitus
The level of human chorionic gonadotropin can be increased not only due to pregnancy, but also due to some abnormalities:
- Extremely high hCG levels due to hormonal drugs
- The presence of a malignant neoplasm in various organs (kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, uterus, lungs, etc.)
- Preservation of an unstable hormonal background as a result of an abortion
In rare cases, in the presence of serious hormonal disorders, men can also be found to have elevated levels of hCG.
Preparation for procedure
The following preparations are required before taking hCG tests for pregnant women:
- Fasting for 7-8 hours before the procedure
- Limiting the intake of any liquid a few hours before the examination
Also tell your doctor if you are taking any medications.
Statistics show that the highest concentration of hCG in the blood is observed in the first half of the day, so the doctor usually prescribes such an analysis in the morning. nine0003
If the recommendations are not followed, the study may show an unreliable result, so additional procedures will have to be carried out.
How blood sampling is performed
Blood tests for pregnant women are taken from a vein in the area located on the inside of the arm at the elbow. The procedure is as follows:
- The patient sits on a couch or chair and exposes her left or right arm
- Medic applying a tourniquet above the elbow
- After that, the woman performs several clenching of the palm into a fist
- The doctor lubricates the area of the future puncture with a disinfectant
- He then inserts the needle into the vein and fills the syringe (about 10 ml of blood is needed for the test)
- After that, the tourniquet is removed, and a cotton swab is applied to the puncture area, which the patient must hold with her arm bent at the elbow (this helps to stop the release of fluid from the wound)
After these manipulations, the blood in the test tube is sent to the laboratory for analysis. The results of the analysis can be transferred directly to the attending physician, or issued to the patient. A woman can independently compare these indicators with the values in the tables, but it is recommended to entrust this process to professionals.
Advantages of the procedure at MEDSI
- Highly qualified doctors work in the clinics, who not only develop comprehensive examination and treatment programs, but also help to properly prepare for childbirth in case of pregnancy
- Special consultation mechanisms have been established for prospective parents
- Clinics have their own laboratory for receiving and checking tests, which allows you to get an accurate result in the shortest possible time
- For examinations and therapy, modern devices from leading manufacturers from countries such as Japan, USA, Germany, etc. are used.
- Originator drugs (not generics) are used
To make an appointment, call 8 (495) 7-800-500 or contact one of the many registries located in Moscow, the region and regions of the Russian Federation.
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- Pregnancy test
- Gynecological appointment
- Planning and management of pregnancy
- Reproductive health
HCG blood test (beta-hCG)
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21 janvāris 2022 | 3.5 minutes of reading
Beta-hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is one of the most important hormones in a woman's body, as it is responsible for regulating hormonal processes during gestation. It is produced by the tissue of the chorion (embryo membrane) after implantation and maintains the existence of the corpus luteum until the fetus-placenta complex is formed. It also ensures the synthesis of another important hormone, progesterone. An analysis for beta-hCG not only determines pregnancy, but also allows you to identify complications. nine0003
How to test for beta hCG?
HCG enters the bloodstream and is then excreted in the urine, so pregnancy can be diagnosed by a high level of hCG in the woman's blood or urine. Most women use the fastest method - a urinalysis. This can be done as early as two weeks after conception, but the test is not the most accurate. The result of the home test must later be confirmed in the laboratory and a blood sample taken for analysis. A blood test for beta-hCG during pregnancy, such as one done at a fertility clinic, is by far the more sensitive method with almost 100% certainty. nine0003
Do you have any questions? Contact us!
When should I test for beta hCG?
Many women ask when to test for beta-hCG in order to get a reliable result. The analysis should be done no earlier than the expected date of menstruation and preferably 10-14 days after the expected time, then it gives the most reliable result.
How to determine the gestational age?
Pregnancy after in vitro fertilization and natural conception is counted from the first day of the last menstruation. As a result of hormonal stimulation used prior to embryo transfer, changes in the menstrual cycle are possible, in which case the day of ovarian puncture and fertilization is considered the day of ovulation. From this point, 14 days must be subtracted to obtain the theoretical start of the cycle, from which the gestational age after in vitro fertilization is calculated. nine0003
How should hCG levels rise? Standards and Interpretation of Results
Beta-hCG levels typically double every 2 days (48 hours). The highest level of beta-hCG in the blood for a period of 10-12 weeks, after which it begins to gradually decline. This is a natural condition and is not associated with a risk of pregnancy loss, unless the hormone level is below 5 mU / ml.
Beta-hCG level by week of pregnancy (single fetus):
3 weeks of pregnancy | 5. 8 - 71. Hed/ml | |
---|---|---|
4 weeks pregnancy weeks | 158 - 31 795 honey/ml | |
7 weeks of pregnancy | 3 697 - 163 563 honey/ml | |
8 weeks of pregnancy | 32 065 - 149 571 honey/ml of honey/ml of honey/ml of honey/ml of honey/ml weeks of pregnancy | 63 803-151 410 Med/ml |
10 weeks of pregnancy | 46 509-186 977 Med/ml |