Finding out if you're pregnant can be an anxious time. You may be wondering how soon you can take a pregnancy test to get answers. This guide covers the basics of early pregnancy testing, including the different types of tests available and what the results mean.
Pregnancy testing explained
A pregnancy test detects the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine or blood. hCG is a hormone produced by the developing placenta during pregnancy that increases rapidly after implantation (when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus). Home pregnancy tests check for hCG levels in urine, while blood tests measure hCG levels in the bloodstream.
When can you take a pregnancy test?
Most home pregnancy tests can detect hCG about 10-14 days after conception (when sperm fertilizes an egg). However, the accuracy of very early pregnancy tests can vary. For the most reliable results, it's best to wait until at least the first day of your expected period to test. A urine test may only yield accurate results two weeks or more after conception or after the first day of a missed period. This is because sufficient hCG levels need to build up in your system before it can be detected in urine.
How using blood pregnancy tests helps navigate your pregnancy
What is special about hCG blood-based pregnancy testing?
Blood tests that measure the amount of circulating hCG, like Labcorp OnDemand’s Quantitative hCG Pregnancy Test, can detect a pregnancy earlier than home urine tests. A urine pregnancy test detects hCG present in the urine in any amount and gives a positive or negative result. On the other hand, a quantitative hCG blood test measures the amount of hCG in your blood which can provide a more meaningful result. The blood test can provide accurate results as early as 6-8 days after conception, which is a few days earlier than a urine test. Doctors often use blood testing to both confirm and monitor pregnancy. pregnancy.
During early pregnancy, hCG levels are expected to double every 2-3 days. If hCG levels are not rising as anticipated or rising faster than expected, it may indicate a developing complication and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
How does a urine pregnancy test work?
An at-home pregnancy test is taken in the privacy of your home with a small urine sample. After the sample is collected on the test, the results usually appear within a minute or so. Understanding a urine pregnancy test result is usually straightforward: a positive result means you’re likely pregnant, while a negative result indicates you’re probably not pregnant. However, false positives and false negatives do occasionally happen.
A false positive is when a test result indicates you’re pregnant, but you’re not. A false positive result could occur, for example, if you have a medical condition other than pregnancy that raises hCG levels. A false negative is when a test says you're not pregnant, but you actually are. A false negative result could occur if using an expired test or if the test is taken too early. For the most accurate results, take a test after the first day of your expected (or missed) period and follow the instructions carefully.
Know for sure if you’re pregnant
Wondering if you should take a pregnancy test? Labcorp OnDemand's Quantitative hCG Pregnancy Test can help provide answers.
Simply buy your test online, give a sample at a Labcorp location near you, and view your results in your Labcorp patient account. With this test, you can find out if you're pregnant as early as 6-8 days post-conception.
