How do home pregnancy tests detect pregnancy?
Shortly after the fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining, your body begins to produce the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Home pregnancy tests — available without a prescription at most grocery stores and drugstores — can reliably detect this hormone in your urine one week after a missed period. A more sensitive blood test to detect HCG can be done earlier in the doctor’s office.
Home pregnancy tests detect the presence of the hormone hCG in a woman’s urine. HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a glycoprotein hormone secreted by the developing placenta shortly after fertilization. Once the egg implants in the uterine lining, hCG is produced and secreted by the placenta. hCG can be detected in blood samples and in urine samples. Urine pregnancy tests detect hCG and will indicate a positive result when the hCG level in a sample reaches a specific threshold. If the amount of hCG in the urine sample is sufficient to exceed the threshold – or sensitivity level – a “test line” will appear indicating a positive result. If the hCG quantity in the urine sample is below this sensitivity level, no test line will appear, indicating a negative result for pregnancy.
Shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining, your body begins to produce the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Home pregnancy tests — available without a prescription at most grocery stores and drugstores — can reliably detect this hormone in your urine one week after a missed period. Because the amount of HCG in your body increases rapidly during the first two weeks of pregnancy, home tests that detect the lowest level of the hormone produce the earliest confirmation of pregnancy. A more sensitive blood test to detect HCG can be done earlier in your doctor’s office.
Shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining, your body begins to produce the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Home pregnancy tests – available without a prescription at most grocery stores and drugstores – can reliably detect this hormone in your urine one week after a missed period. Because the amount of HCG in your body increases rapidly during the first two weeks of pregnancy, home tests that detect the lowest level of the hormone produce the earliest confirmation of pregnancy. A more sensitive blood test to detect HCG can be done earlier in your doctor’s office.
