Can a HCG blood test detect pregnancy as early as 9 days prior to starting menstrual cycle? Mine showed negative, but I've been having alot of blotting and gas this past week, could I be pregnant? Could the test be wrong cause I took it too early?
2006-09-20 16:22:32 · 3 answers · asked by Myangel 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Trying to Conceive
Most blood tests will be wrong that early. The embryo would actually only be starting to implant at that time.
A few days prior to expected menses would be better.
Most blood tests detect down to a level of hCG of 5 IU/ml, while home pregnancy tests can test down to 20.
By the time your period is due, if you are pregnant, you're hCG level is usually around 60-90.
Given that these numbers are pretty close, I wouldn't spend a lot of money on a blood test when you can get one in the drug store for cheap.
The symptoms you describe can be attributed to many things.
Good luck.
2006-09-20 16:28:38 · answer #1 · answered by Ignoramus 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Question: Can you do blood tests to detect pregnancy and how soon can you take a pregnancy test after sex to see if you are pregnant?
Answer: Two types of pregnancy tests are offered here at the student health center. The blood or serum pregnancy test is accurate but costly( $15 at the student health center vs free urine pregnancy test), and the results take longer to obtain. The serum or blood test is sent to Gundersen clinic for processing while the urine test is done right here on campus. Both tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG), a pregnancy hormone produced by the developing placenta. Fertilization of an egg has to occur before the hormone is produced. The most sensitive enzyme-linked pregnancy test can detect HCG one week after fertilization. This should not be confused with the last sexual experience. Assuming that an individual ovulates (releases an egg for the ovary) on day 14, the egg can be fertilized on day 14 or 15 and implantation of the egg in the uterus will occur between day 17 and 21 (thus the 7 day waiting period before testing for HCG). The sensitivity for both blood and urine pregnancy tests is between 97-100%. The sensitivity falls to 75% when individuals test their urine at home. The accuracy of home tests is greatly affected by the technique and interpretation of users, despite the popularity. The most common reason for a false pregnancy test is that the test was performed too soon. If a false negative is obtained then repeat the test in one week. Individuals with irregular menstrual cycles or an uncertain last menstrual period should wait 14 days form the sexual experience before obtaining a pregnancy test. Pregnancy should always be confirmed with an office-based test even if the home test was positive. If you have any questions call the Student Health Center.
2006-09-20 23:37:26 · answer #2 · answered by **KELLEY** 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most likely
2006-09-20 23:25:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋