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Female urinary tract


Male urinary tract

HCG in urine

Definition

This type of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) test measures the specific level of HCG in the urine. HCG is a hormone produced during pregnancy.

Alternative Names

Beta-HCG - urine; Human chorionic gonadotropin - urine

Why the Test is Performed

Urine HCG tests are a common method of determining if a woman is pregnant. The best time to test for pregnancy at home is after you miss your period.

How the Test is Performed

As you urinate, collect a urine sample in a special (sterile) cup. Home pregnancy tests require the test strip to be dipped into the urine sample or passed through the urine stream while urinating. Carefully follow package directions.

Usually a first-morning sample (the first time you urinate in the morning) is preferred, because it is the most concentrated.

How to Prepare for the Test

No special preparation is needed.

How the Test Will Feel

The test involves normal urination into a cup or onto a stick.

Risks

There are essentially no risks (except for "false positive" or "false negative" results).

Considerations

Drugs that can decrease HCG measurements include diuretics and promethazine.

Drugs that can increase HCG measurements include anticonvulsants, anti-parkinsonian drugs, phenothiazine, and promethazine.

Normal Results

The test is negative if you are not pregnant.
The test is positive if you are pregnant.

A pregnancy test, including a properly performed home pregnancy test, is considered to be about 98% accurate. Positive results are more likely to be accurate than negative results. When the test is negative but pregnancy is still suspected, the test should be repeated in 1 week.

Review Date: 11/17/2006
Reviewed By: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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