Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw from arm vein
- Fasting: No fasting required
- Turn-around: Results within 1-2 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Earlier detection - Confirms pregnancy 7-10 days after conception, before missed periods
- Superior accuracy - Achieves >99% accuracy compared to variable home test performance
- Precise monitoring - Provides exact numerical values to track pregnancy progression
- Complete privacy - No physician referral required, confidential direct-access testing
- Professional-grade results - Uses advanced laboratory technology for maximum reliability
- Peace of mind - Eliminates uncertainty with definitive, quantitative hormone measurements
Who Is This Test For?
- Women trying to conceive who want earliest possible pregnancy confirmation
- Individuals undergoing fertility treatments requiring precise hCG monitoring
- Those with irregular menstrual cycles needing accurate pregnancy detection
- Women experiencing unclear home pregnancy test results
- Patients requiring pre-surgical pregnancy screening for safety protocols
- Anyone needing definitive pregnancy confirmation for medical planning
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Visit any location - No appointment needed at thousands of nationwide testing sites
- Quick blood draw - Simple venipuncture takes just minutes with no preparation required
- Get precise results - Receive exact hCG levels within 24-48 hours via secure portal
FAQ
When is the best time to take this test? Order 7-10 days after suspected conception for earliest detection, or anytime after a missed period for definitive results.
How accurate is this blood test compared to home tests? Blood tests achieve >99% accuracy while home pregnancy tests show variable performance ranging from 52-100% depending on timing (BMJ Open 2020).
What do the numerical results mean? Non-pregnant women show <5 mIU/mL, while pregnant women's levels double every 48-72 hours in early pregnancy, starting from 5-72 mIU/mL at 3 weeks.
Can medications affect my results? High-dose biotin supplements (>5mg/day) should be discontinued 48 hours before testing to prevent interference with results.
Do I need to fast before this test? No preparation is required - you can eat and drink normally before your blood draw.
How soon will I get my results? Results are typically available within 24-48 hours of laboratory receipt, with urgent processing available when needed.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The quantitative hCG blood test measures exact concentration levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced by the developing placenta after implantation (Mount Sinai 2024). This precise measurement enables healthcare providers to confirm pregnancy, determine gestational age, assess pregnancy viability, and diagnose complications like ectopic pregnancies with superior accuracy compared to qualitative tests (Mayo Clinic Labs 2024).
The test utilizes advanced electrochemiluminescent immunoassay technology to detect hCG levels as low as 5 mIU/mL, enabling pregnancy detection earlier than traditional methods (Cleveland Clinic 2025). Beyond pregnancy confirmation, this test plays a crucial role in monitoring gestational trophoblastic disease, evaluating testicular tumors in men, and tracking pregnancy progression in high-risk situations.
Who would benefit from this test?
Women actively trying to conceive benefit from the earliest possible pregnancy confirmation this test provides (Mayo Clinic Labs 2024). Individuals undergoing fertility treatments require precise hCG monitoring to track treatment success and pregnancy viability. Those with irregular menstrual cycles often struggle with timing home pregnancy tests effectively, making blood testing more reliable.
Healthcare consumers seeking direct-access testing appreciate the convenience of obtaining professional-grade results without physician referrals while maintaining complete confidentiality (Testing.com 2024). Women experiencing unclear home test results, those requiring pre-surgical pregnancy screening, and individuals needing definitive confirmation for medical or personal planning purposes all benefit significantly from quantitative hCG testing.
When should I order hCG (Pregnancy) Blood Test, Quantitative?
Order this test 7-10 days after suspected conception for earliest possible detection, when hCG becomes detectable in blood before urine (Mount Sinai 2024). If you've missed your expected period, testing can be done immediately for definitive results. Women experiencing symptoms of ectopic pregnancy—including abnormal vaginal bleeding, lower abdominal pain, or pelvic cramping—should order this test promptly.
Consider testing when home pregnancy test results are unclear, conflicting, or when you need precise numerical values for monitoring purposes. Those undergoing fertility treatments may require serial testing to track hCG progression. Additionally, order this test before surgical procedures or medical treatments where pregnancy status affects safety protocols (Mayo Clinic 2027).
How do I interpret the results?
hCG < 5 mIU/mL (women), < 2 mIU/mL (men)
- What it means: Not pregnant / Normal
- Typical action: No further action needed
hCG 5–25 mIU/mL
- What it means: Indeterminate / Very early pregnancy
- Typical action: Repeat testing in 48–72 hours
hCG 25–100 mIU/mL
- What it means: Early pregnancy (3–4 weeks)
- Typical action: Schedule prenatal care
hCG 100–5,000 mIU/mL
- What it means: Normal pregnancy progression
- Typical action: Routine prenatal monitoring
hCG > 5,000 mIU/mL
- What it means: Established pregnancy
- Typical action: Consider ultrasound scheduling
In healthy pregnancies, hCG levels typically double every 48-72 hours during the first trimester, reaching peak levels around 8-10 weeks (UCSF Health 2023).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting or special dietary restrictions are required before this blood test—eat and drink normally (Mount Sinai 2024). If you're taking high-dose biotin supplements exceeding 5mg daily, discontinue use 48 hours before testing to prevent potential interference (Alberta Health Services 2024).
Avoid testing immediately after receiving hormonal treatments containing hCG, as this may affect results accuracy. Schedule your appointment at least 7-10 days after suspected conception for optimal detection capability. No other medications or lifestyle modifications are necessary before blood collection.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial pregnancy confirmation: Once, 7–10 days after conception
- Indeterminate results: Repeat in 48–72 hours
- Ectopic pregnancy monitoring: Every 48 hours until resolved
- Fertility treatment cycles: As directed by fertility specialist
- High-risk pregnancy monitoring: Weekly during the first trimester
Why early detection matters
Early pregnancy detection enables prompt initiation of prenatal care, improving maternal and fetal health outcomes (CDC Vital Statistics 2025). With 3.6 million births annually in the United States, timely pregnancy confirmation allows women to begin essential lifestyle modifications—including prenatal vitamin supplementation, alcohol cessation, and medication adjustments—during critical early developmental periods.
Quantitative hCG testing proves especially crucial for detecting ectopic pregnancies, which affect 1-2% of all pregnancies and require immediate medical intervention (Medscape Emergency Medicine 2024). Early detection prevents potentially life-threatening complications while preserving reproductive health. For women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies, precise hCG monitoring determines treatment success and guides clinical decision-making during vulnerable early pregnancy stages.
Related tests you may consider
Pregnancy Progression Blood Test Panel – Measures hCG and progesterone levels to help monitor early pregnancy development. hCG is produced by the placenta and typically rises in the first 10 weeks, while progesterone supports the pregnancy and increases during the first trimester.
Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Test - Second-trimester blood screening (15-20 weeks) measuring AFP levels to detect neural tube defects and genetic conditions, often combined with hCG in comprehensive prenatal screening panels (MedlinePlus 2024).
Progesterone Test - Complementary hormone assessment evaluating early pregnancy viability with 74.6% sensitivity and 98.4% specificity for predicting pregnancy outcomes when used alongside quantitative hCG monitoring (SAHMRI Research 2020).
