Pregnancy can manifest itself with some symptoms in women. Symptoms such as delayed menstruation make the person suspect about pregnancy. But all of these signs and symptoms may be caused by factors other than pregnancy. A pregnancy test is required to confirm that you are pregnant.
Pregnancy tests are based on the measurement of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) hormone level. HCG is produced in trophoblast cells via the placenta. The beta type of the hormone, which has two types as alpha and beta, is used in the definitive diagnosis of pregnancy.
HCG hormone can be looked at by the person with a urine test at home. However, it can give false positive or false negative results. The hCG level is determined precisely by blood tests. However, in some other cases, height can also be detected. Other pregnancy tests can be used to differentiate this.
Beta HCG level in a normal woman is 0-10 mIU/ml. In case of pregnancy, it exceeds this value. A more reliable diagnosis can be made if the test is repeated after 48 hours. Beta HCG value may also increase in some cancers (pancreas, liver, stomach, ovarian cancer, etc.), down syndrome, eating avocado, sunflower seeds, walnuts. In addition, in the presence of multiple pregnancies, the values may be much higher.
Possible beta HCG values may vary according to the gestational week. Apart from the diagnosis of pregnancy, the high or excess of the value does not make much sense.
- 3rd week: 5 – 130 mlU/mL
- Week 4: 75 – 2500 mlU/Ml
- 5th week: 850 – 20,000 mlU/mL
- 6th week: 4,000 – 100,000 mlU/mL
- Week 7 – 12: 11,500 – 285,000 mlU/mL
- 13 – 16 weeks: 18,000 – 135,000 mlU/mL
- 17 – 24 weeks: 1,500 – 55,000 mlU/mL
- Week 24 – 40: 1,000 – 60,000 mlU/mL
Beta HCG measurement is done with blood or urine tests.
Table of contents
Blood test:
It gives more precise results than the urine test, and values that are not detected in the urine test can also be measured. A significant increase can be seen in the measurements made 8-11 after intercourse. As the gestational week progresses, it multiplies exponentially. It reaches its highest level during the gestational week. In IVF (in vitro fertilization) applications, beta HCG value is measured on the 12th day of transfer to the uterus.
Urine test:
It is a test that can be done at home with test strips bought from the pharmacy. It is not as accurate as a blood test. 11-12 days following the delay of menstruation. day can be done. However, it does not show values like a blood test. Indicates that the beta HCG hormone is elevated. Therefore, it may need to be confirmed with a blood test. Urine tests can sometimes give false positive (resulting as if you are pregnant even though you are not pregnant) or false negative (resulting as if you are not pregnant even though you are pregnant). To minimize this, it can be confirmed with test strips of different brands.
False positive urine test:
- There is a technical error in the test kit,
- The test was applied incorrectly (read 3-10 minutes after the application, the second weak line after 10 minutes is read incorrectly),
- Recent postpartum measurements may give false positive results,
- False positive results can be seen for a while after stillbirths and miscarriages,
- Ovarian, lung, brain, breast, or stomach cancers can give false positive results.
False negative urine test:
- There may be technical errors in the test kit,
- The woman may be using diuretics,
- Menstruation has occurred after pregnancy (see above) and sufficient beta HCG has not been formed,
- There is a risk of miscarriage.
If you have pregnancy symptoms but the test is negative, contact a specialist.
Although Beta HCG values provide valuable information for pregnancy, Ultrasound is preferred for the definitive diagnosis of pregnancy.
Pregnancy Ultrasound :
Ultrasound is a test method that can be used safely during pregnancy and does not harm the mother and the baby. It does not contain radiation, images are obtained with sound waves. It is painless. Baby’s vital organs, limbs, gender, size, location can be displayed.
From the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy, the image of the baby can be taken by ultrasound. It gives the baby’s gender image in the fourth month of pregnancy.
Ultrasound is widely used in pregnancy follow-up. In addition, with detailed ultrasound, congenital defects and diseases can be detected in high-risk pregnancies at 24 weeks.