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Definition

A quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) test measures the specific level of HCG in the blood. HCG is a hormone produced during pregnancy.

See also:

Alternative Names

Serial beta HCG; Repeat quantitative beta HCG; Human chorionic gonadotrophin blood test - quantitative; Beta-HCG blood test - quantitative; Pregnancy test - blood - quantitative

How the test is performed

Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

How to prepare for the test

No special preparation is necessary.

How the test will feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the test is performed

HCG appears in the blood and urine of pregnant women as early as 10 days after conception. Quantitative HCG measurements can help to diagnose abnormal preqnancies, such as ectopic pregnancies, molar pregnancies, and those that will miscarry. It is also used as part of a screening test for Down syndrome.

This test is also done to diagnose abnormal conditions unrelated to pregnancy that can raise HCG levels.

Normal Values

HCG levels rise rapidly during the first trimester of pregnancy and then slightly decline.

What abnormal results mean

Higher-than-normal levels may indicate:

Lower-than-normal levels may indicate:

What the risks are

There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling light-headed
  • Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Special considerations

Drugs that can decrease HCG measurements include diuretics and promethazine.

Drugs that can increase HCG measurements include anticonvulsants, anti-parkinsonian drugs, phenothiazine, and promethazine.

References

Webster RA. Reproductive function and pregnancy. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:chap 25.

Lee P, Pincus MR, McPherson RA. Diagnosis and management of cancer using serologic tumor markers. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:chap 74.

Morrison LJ. General approach to the pregnancy patient. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006:chap 176.

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Your pregnancy blood test came back as 21941 what does that mean?

A qualitative hCG test detects if hCG is present in the blood. The result is either positive or negative.You have had a quantitative hCG test (or beta hCG) which measures the amount of hCG actually present in the blood. A beta hCG level of 21,941mIU/ml means you are over six weeks pregnant or if you know you are less than 6 weeks, pregnant there is more than one embryo.


What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative observations?

Qualitative refers to what a sample is, while quantitative refers to how much of that material is present. For example, the "squeaky pop test," which involves taking a burning splint and immersing it in a test tube, is a qualitative test. If the gas in the test tube pops, you know you have hydrogen production. In this case, no numbers are being taken - it is only to identify the gas in the test tube. Say you capture the gas released by whatever reaction takes place in the test tube. Measuring the volume of the gas would be the quantitative observation.


The Difference Between a Qualitative and Quantitative Pregnancy Test?

A pregnancy test can be performed early in pregnancy to predict conception or gestational age. Urine-based pregnancy tests detect pregnancy hormones in urine for a positive or negative result. Blood tests measure how much of a pregnancy hormone is present.Qualitative Pregnancy Test – UrineHome pregnancy test kits and urine pregnancy tests given by a physician are qualitative. Qualitative refers to the method of diagnosing pregnancy. Urine tests measure the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine. If hCG is present, the test results are positive. If no hCG is found in urine, the test will be negative.False negatives are more common with a urine pregnancy test than false positives. False negatives can be caused by frequent urination due to high fluid intake and miscalculated start day of current menstrual cycle. False positives are typically linked to fertility treatments and prescription medications that include hCG as a means of increasing chance of conception.Quantitative Pregnancy Test – BloodA blood pregnancy test can be ordered as early as five to 10 days after unprotected intercourse. Blood pregnancy tests measure hCG levels in quantity rather than just a true or false result. Quantities can then be compared to normal levels as a means of gestational age prediction. In some cases, quantitative pregnant test results are higher than normal. Normal hCG levels at five weeks gestation fall between 18 and 7,340 mlU / ml. Measurements at the higher end of the range could mean medical issues with the pregnancy or multiple fetuses. Blood hCG levels will continue to rise until peaking between nine and 12 weeks gestation. After the 12th week, levels gradually fall until birth.Medical Treatment and Pregnancy TestDue to the possibility of false negative pregnancy test results, women who believe they may be pregnant should exercise caution when taking prescription and over the counter medications deemed unsafe during pregnancy. Diagnostic testing, such as X-rays and radiation-based testing should only be performed when medically necessary. Precautions include lead aprons placed over the abdominal area during X-rays. Prescription medications fall into pregnancy categories based on clinical testing and results. Categories include A, B, C, D and X.Category A drugs have been thoroughly tested for use during pregnancy and deemed safe. Category B is designated after animal testing revealed no signs of fetal harm. Category C may be linked to fetal damage in animal testing. Category D includes drugs proven to cause harm to a human fetus, but benefits from medications in this category could outweigh risks. Category X is reserved for medications that should never be used during pregnancy.


Is the students age qualitative or quantitative?

It is quantitative.


Is a position in an exams a qualitative or quantitative data?

qualitative

Related Questions

What is a Quantitative pregnancy test?

A quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) test measures the specific level of HCG in the blood. HCG is a hormone produced during pregnancy. its a blood test done to see if you're pregnant. A quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) test measures the specific level of HCG in the blood. HCG is a hormone produced during pregnancy. its a blood test done to see if you're pregnant.


What is a hcg quantitative test?

A hCG quantitative test measures the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in the blood. This test is often used to confirm pregnancy and monitor its progression. The level of hCG in the blood can also help detect certain medical conditions.


A test that measure the hormone levels in the blood plasma?

test used to measure the levels of hormones in the blood plasma


5 weeks pregnant had a period and now your pregnancy test is negative am you still pregnant?

You may of had a miscarriage hun. See your doctor for a Quantitative beta hcg pregnancy blood test. This test will measure the amount of HCG in your blood and determine if you're pregnant.


Your pregnancy blood test came back as 21941 what does that mean?

A qualitative hCG test detects if hCG is present in the blood. The result is either positive or negative.You have had a quantitative hCG test (or beta hCG) which measures the amount of hCG actually present in the blood. A beta hCG level of 21,941mIU/ml means you are over six weeks pregnant or if you know you are less than 6 weeks, pregnant there is more than one embryo.


Is 10 days after sex too early to take a blood test for pregnancy?

10 days after sex is too early to do a Qualiative blood test. However it definitely isn't too early to do a Quantitative Beta HCG Blood Test which will measure the amount of HCG present in your blood and is a highly accurate test in confirming pregnancy. You can do this test 5 days after conception.


What type of pregnancy test is serum pregnancy test?

A serum pregnancy test is a blood test performed in a physician's office or laboratory to get quantitative hCG. A "triple screen" is a blood test for hCG, AFP, and uE3. The other type of pregnancy test is an over-the-counter test which examines urine for the presence of hCG.


HCG is measured in urine or blood?

The presence or absecne of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) can be measured in both the urine and in blood. Quantitative analysis (showing the rising levels of HCG as pregnancy progresses) can only be done in blood.


Are you pregnant if you're 48 days late and have had two positive home tests and two negative blood tests?

Hello. The two positive home pregnancy tests mean HCG has been detected in your urine. When HCG has been detected this is a strong indication that you are pregnant. The blood test over rules the result of the home pregnancy test and means you're not pregnant. BUT if the blood test was a Qualiative then there is a possibility it was negative because you are not as far along into your pregnancy as you suspected. Go back to your doctor and ask for a QUANTITATIVE BETA HCG pregnancy blood test - this test is highly accurate and measures the amount of HCG in your blood unlike the Qualiative blood test which just gives you a yes or no answer. You will need to write down the name of this test as it can easily be mistaken for the qualiative one. Remember QUANTITATIVE. Good luck. :o)


Possible implantation bleeding 11 days ago missed period pregnancy symptoms but negative HPT?

See your Doctor for a Quantitative beta HCG pregnancy blood test. You will need to ask specifically for this blood test.


How much hormone do you have to show in your blood to be pregnant?

The hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (better known as hCG) is produced during pregnancy. It is made by cells that form the placenta, which nourishes the egg after it has been fertilized and becomes attached to the uterine wall. Levels can first be detected by a blood test about 11 days after conception and about 12 - 14 days after conception by a urine test. In general the hCG levels will double every 72 hours. The level will reach its peak in the first 8 - 11 weeks of pregnancy and then will decline and level off for the remainder of the pregnancy.There are two types of blood tests. A quantitative blood test measures the exact amount of hCG in the blood, and a qualitative hCG blood test gives a simple yes or no answer to whether you are pregnant or not.The beta hCG test(quantitative blood test), can measure the exact amount of hCG in the blood. Because it can detect even trace amounts of hCG, this is a very accurate test. HCG levels generally double approximately every 2 days for the first four weeks of pregnancy.An hCG level of less than 5mIU/ml is considered negative for pregnancy, and anything above 25mIU/ml is considered positive for pregnancy.


Can you determine pregnancy from a blood test?

A pregnancy blood test or a pregnancy serum test is a test that measures the exact amount of the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), in the bloodstream of a woman to detect pregnancy. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that is produced by the placenta of a pregnant woman. It is detectable in the blood and urine within 10 days of fertilization. There are two types of blood pregnancy tests, namely, quantitative blood test which measures the exact amount of hCG in the blood and qualitative hCG blood test which gives a simple yes or no answer to whether you are pregnant or not.