Know What is Pregnancy Hormone Check

Pregnancy hormone testing is a procedure to detect the presence or levels of hormones human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This test can be done with a urine or blood sample.

The hormone hCG is a hormone produced by the body during pregnancy. This hormone is produced by cells in the placenta, after the egg that has been fertilized by sperm attaches to the uterine wall.

The hormone hCG is generally detected in the blood or urine for at least 10 days after fertilization. The level of the hCG hormone in the body will increase rapidly every 2-3 days.

Pregnancy tests through urine samples can be done at home using a pregnancy test (test pack) are sold freely. Meanwhile, pregnancy tests through blood samples must be carried out in a hospital.

Pregnancy hormone examination through blood is divided into two types, namely:

• Qualitative examination, to detect the presence of the hormone hCG
• Quantitative examination, to measure levels of the hormone hCG

Pregnancy Hormone Test Indications

In addition to confirming pregnancy, pregnancy hormone tests can also be performed for the following purposes:

• Determine the approximate age of the fetus
• Diagnosing a problematic pregnancy, such as an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage
• Detect abnormalities in the fetus, such as Down's syndrome
• Predicting the possibility of miscarriage

Examination of the hCG hormone can also be done before certain medical procedures, such as CT scans or radiotherapy. This is done to ensure that the patient is not pregnant, because this medical procedure poses a risk of harm to the fetus.

If the results of the examination show that the patient is proven to be pregnant, the doctor will make efforts to protect the fetus from the effects of the procedure.

Examination of the hormone hCG through the blood can also be used to check for and evaluate certain types of cancer. This is because apart from being produced by placental cells, the hormone hCG is also produced by several types of tumor cells. Some non-cancerous diseases are also known to cause an increase in the hormone hCG.

Pregnancy Hormone Check Warning

Pregnancy hormone tests can be done independently (examination with urine) or at the request of a doctor (examination of urine or blood). In each type of examination, there are things that need to be considered. Here is the explanation:

Pregnancy hormone self-test

When doing a pregnancy hormone test at home, there are several things you need to know, namely:

• The results of pregnancy hormone tests through urine can be false positives and false negatives, or in other words, they are not always 100% accurate.
• The results of pregnancy hormone tests through urine can be influenced by the time of the test, the patient's health condition, as well as the brand and sensitivity of the pregnancy test kit used.
• Pregnancy hormone examination through urine should be repeated one day later, if the first test result is negative but there is still a suspicion of pregnancy.

Pregnancy hormone test at doctor's request

If the doctor recommends a pregnancy hormone test, the examination can use a urine or blood sample. This depends on the purpose of the examination itself. Some things to know before undergoing this examination are:

• It is recommended to tell your doctor if you are taking diuretics, sedatives, Parkinson's disease drugs, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, and fertility-enhancing drugs
• Doctors can repeat pregnancy hormone tests through the blood several times, usually to monitor the condition of pregnant women who have just had a miscarriage and to rule out the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy.
• Levels of the hormone hCG in the range of 6–24 mIU/mL is a condition between pregnant and non-pregnant, so re-examination should be carried out

Before Pregnancy Hormone Check

There is no special preparation that must be done before undergoing a pregnancy hormone test, either done independently or on the advice of a doctor. However, before carrying out a pregnancy test using a pregnancy test independently, pay attention to the following points:

• Read the instructions for use and other information on the packaging.
• Make sure the pregnancy test kit you are going to use has not expired.
• Use the pregnancy test kit in the manner suggested by each product.
• Avoid drinking a lot of water before taking a pregnancy test, as it will affect the level of hCG in the urine, making the test results inaccurate.

Pregnancy Hormone Test Procedure

Self-examination of hCG using a urine sample should be carried out 1-2 weeks after the first day of missed menstruation, so that the test results will be more accurate. The steps for checking pregnancy hormones through urine are as follows:

• Do the test using a urine sample that comes out the first time after waking up, because the urine in the morning is relatively more concentrated so that the hCG level can be higher.
• Point the test kit at the flowing urine until it is completely wet or dip the test kit in the collected urine.
• Wait about 5-10 minutes for the results to come out.

Meanwhile, in the examination of the hCG hormone through the blood, the doctor will take a blood sample with the following steps:

• Tie an elastic band to the patient's upper arm to block the blood thereby making the blood vessels more visible
• Clean the skin area to be pierced with alcohol
• Insert the needle into the vein, then collect the blood into the syringe
• Removing the syringe after sufficient blood has been drawn, then removing the elastic band from the patient's arm
• Attach a cotton swab that has been moistened with alcohol on the injection area, then cover the injection area with a bandage or plaster

The blood sample that has been taken will be taken by the doctor to the laboratory for further examination.

After Pregnancy Hormone Check

The results of pregnancy hormone tests through urine can be known quickly, generally within 5-10 minutes, depending on the equipment used. Meanwhile, the results of pregnancy hormone tests through blood generally take longer, it can be in a matter of hours to several days.

The following is an explanation of each pregnancy hormone test result:

The results of the hCG hormone test through urine

The results of the hCG hormone examination through urine or qualitative can be in the form of:

• A positive (+) result indicates the presence of the hormone hCG in the urine, which may indicate that the patient is pregnant
• A negative result (-), indicates the absence of the hormone hCG in the urine, which may indicate the patient is not pregnant

However, as previously stated, the results of pregnancy hormone tests through urine are not always accurate. A positive test result does not always indicate a patient is pregnant. This condition, known as a false positive, can be caused by:

• Taking certain medications, such as anticonvulsants, tranquilizers, or fertility-enhancing drugs
• Certain health conditions, such as pituitary gland disorders, kidney disease, urinary tract infections, or ovarian cancer

As with a positive result, a negative test result does not necessarily mean the patient is not pregnant. A negative test result in a patient who is actually pregnant (false negative), can occur due to several factors below:

• The pregnancy test kit has expired or is not used according to the instructions for use
• The pregnancy test is done too early, so the hCG level is still low or not enough to show a positive result
• Urine is too dilute, which can occur as a result of the patient drinking too much water before the test
• Taking certain medications, such as diuretics and antihistamines, before having the test

It's important to remember that over-the-counter pregnancy tests may not give 100% accurate results. Therefore, consult a gynecologist to confirm pregnancy, regardless of the test results obtained.

If necessary, the doctor will do a blood test for hCG hormone or other supporting tests.

Blood test results for hCG hormone

The results of the hCG hormone examination through the blood will be quantitative. This means that the patient's hCG hormone levels will be clearly listed. Levels of the hormone hCG less than 5 mIU/mL generally indicate no pregnancy. Meanwhile, hCG hormone levels above 25 mIU/mL are usually a sign of pregnancy.

The following table shows the approximate normal levels of the hormone hCG by gestational age:

If the results found are not as expected, the doctor will usually perform additional examinations, such as pregnancy ultrasound. This test is useful for confirming the cause of abnormal hCG levels.

Blood levels of hCG that are found to be lower than expected can be caused by:

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Miscarriage or abnormal egg cells (blighted ovum)
• Miscalculation of gestational age

Meanwhile, higher-than-expected levels of the hormone hCG in the blood can be caused by:

• Pregnancy with grapes, which is a condition when the egg does not develop into an embryo
• Multiple pregnancies, such as twins or more
• Miscalculation of gestational age

If the ultrasound examination does not reveal pregnancy and the level of the hCG hormone continues to increase, it is likely that the increase is caused by another disease. Diseases that can cause elevated levels of hCG are:

• Cervical cancer
• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer

In addition to cancer, the hormone hCG can also be elevated due to non-cancerous conditions, such as cirrhosis and colitis.

Pregnancy Hormone Check Risks

Pregnancy hormone tests through urine generally do not cause any side effects, while blood tests for pregnancy hormones can sometimes cause mild side effects, such as small bruising at the injection site.

However, in rare cases, blood tests for pregnancy hormones can also cause the following side effects:

• Mild headache
• Hematoma (abnormal collection of blood under the skin)
• Infection at the injection site
• Swelling of blood vessels
• Heavy bleeding
• Faint

Immediately go to the doctor or the nearest hospital if you experience the side effects above, especially if the symptoms are getting worse.