Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is aglycoprotein hormone secreted by the developing placenta shortly after egg fertilization.
Urine and serum samples of non-pregnant female usually contain less than 5 miu/ml.
hCG levels in weeks from LMP (gestational age)* :
- 3 weeks LMP: 5 - 50 mIU/ml
- 4 weeks LMP: 5 - 426 mIU/ml
- 5 weeks LMP: 18 - 7,340 mIU/ml
- 6 weeks LMP: 1,080 - 56,500 mIU/ml
- 7 - 8 weeks LMP: 7, 650 - 229,000 mIU/ml
- 9 - 12 weeks LMP: 25,700 - 288,000 mIU/ml
- 13 - 16 weeks LMP: 13,300 - 254,000 mIU/ml
- 17 - 24 weeks LMP: 4,060 - 165,400 mIU/ml
- 25 - 40 weeks LMP: 3,640 - 117,000 mIU/ml
Recent years, home pregnancy tests (HPT) are made to be more sensitive, thus being able to detect hCG in urine of a patient as early as 6 to 15 days after conception.
For those trying to conceive, we, of course would like to know early.
So, with these 'early pregnancy test' we can!
However, keep in mind that up to 30% of conception may end in miscarriage. If we test early, we may notice these miscarriages and it can be devastating to some. In the old days, miscarriages may go unnoticed or put down to a heavy, late period.
