Blood Test : Pregnancy Test

This is a test for detecting a particular hormone known as HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN (HCG). In the first few days after conception, the egg implants itself in the wall of the uterus. The developing placenta secretes HCG (hormone) in increasing quantities as the pregnancy progresses.

The HCG blood test may be reported as positive (pregnant), or as a quantitative value, which can be used to estimate the gestational age of the fetus. HCG, which is excreted into the urine, is the basis for the home urine pregnancy test.

Unlike the urine test, the blood test can detect pregnancies as early as 7 days after fertilization (even before a missed menstrual period!). It is important to note that certain rare tumors also secrete HCG. The HCG blood test has also been used to assess the effectiveness of treatment in these tumor patients.

Mothers with twins will normally have correspondingly higher HCG levels. This test is performed from a venipuncture specimen.

MEDICAL TESTS

Abdominal Ultrasound
Abdominal X-Ray
Allergy Testing
Amniocentesis
Amylase Blood Test
Angiodynography
Angiogram
Arterial Blood Gases
Arthrocentesis
Arthrogram
Barium Enema
Blood Chemistry
Blood Coagulation Test
Blood Cultures
Blood Glucose Test
Blood Test Smac 25
Bone Marrow Biopsy Aspiration
Cardiac Catheterization Angioplasty
Cardiac Enzymes
Cholesterol Blood Test
Complete Blood Count
CT Scanning Back
CT Scanning Chest Abdomen
Drug Levels
Glucose Tolerance Test
Hepatitis Blood Test
HIV Blood Test
Kidney Biopsy
Kidney Blood Test
Lipoproteins
Liver Biopsy
Liver Blood Test
Lymph Node Biopsy
Mononucleosis Test
Paracentesis
Peritoneal Lavage
Pregnancy Blood Test
Prostate Specific Antigen
Skin Biopsy
Spine X-Rays
Thyroid Biopsy
Thyroid Blood Test
Toxicology