Pregnancy, Quantitative

During pregnancy, the developing fetus develops a placenta to which it is attached. The placenta secretes a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). In the early stages of the pregnancy, the levels of hCG rise slowly and are undetectable, until about week 3, where the level shoots up and can then be picked up by a pregnancy test. A quantitative hCG measures the actual amount of hCG and this helps to confirm pregnancy, give an estimation of how far along someone is in the first few weeks of pregnancy, as well as helpful in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy or pregnancy that is miscarried.

This test is performed in following conditions such as:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
• After unprotected sex
• After skipping menstruation
• Pain or cramping in the lower abdomen or on one side of the pelvis
• Dizziness, weakness
• Sudden, sharp pain in the pelvic area
• Vomiting

Also Known As: hCG