Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin, or hCG, a glycoprotein hormone, is produced in small amounts by the pituitary glands of both males and females of any age.
During pregnancy, however, much larger amounts are produced by the developing embryo shortly after conception and later in the pregnancy by the syncytiotrophoblast, a part of the placenta.
In a pregnant woman, hCG levels should be about 25 mIU, or milli International Units, a standard measurement used maily in medical applications, by 10 days past ovulation, or dpo.
The hCG levels rise exponentially as the pregnancy progresses and by 12 dpo, levels will have reached 50 mIU. After 14 dpo, levels will be at 100 mIU, and so on.
Most home pregnancy tests are able to detect pregnancies at hCG levels between 50 mIU and 100 mIU, although early detection tests with sensitivity levels going as low as 20 mIU are available.
As is the case with any other type of diagnostic product, it is important to carefully follow the given instructions for the product used.
For the earliest possible detection, it is best to use the first morning urine, as hCG levels will be at the highest concentration in this sample.
If this is not possible, urination should be avoided for as long as possible before taking the test, as frequent urination can lead to decreased hCG levels and falsify the result.
If only a faint line is visible compared to the control line, it is possible that the test is positive although hCG levels are still relatively low.
Retaking the test after a couple of days will give a clearer result, as hCG levels double every two days during pregnancy.
Doctors generally recommend taking a test no sooner than the first day of a missed period, placing it around two weeks after conception.
During pregnancy, however, much larger amounts are produced by the developing embryo shortly after conception and later in the pregnancy by the syncytiotrophoblast, a part of the placenta.
In a pregnant woman, hCG levels should be about 25 mIU, or milli International Units, a standard measurement used maily in medical applications, by 10 days past ovulation, or dpo.
The hCG levels rise exponentially as the pregnancy progresses and by 12 dpo, levels will have reached 50 mIU. After 14 dpo, levels will be at 100 mIU, and so on.
Most home pregnancy tests are able to detect pregnancies at hCG levels between 50 mIU and 100 mIU, although early detection tests with sensitivity levels going as low as 20 mIU are available.
As is the case with any other type of diagnostic product, it is important to carefully follow the given instructions for the product used.
For the earliest possible detection, it is best to use the first morning urine, as hCG levels will be at the highest concentration in this sample.
If this is not possible, urination should be avoided for as long as possible before taking the test, as frequent urination can lead to decreased hCG levels and falsify the result.
If only a faint line is visible compared to the control line, it is possible that the test is positive although hCG levels are still relatively low.
Retaking the test after a couple of days will give a clearer result, as hCG levels double every two days during pregnancy.
Doctors generally recommend taking a test no sooner than the first day of a missed period, placing it around two weeks after conception.