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Understanding HCG for A Healthy Pregnancy

Joanna Tang

HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin), the pregnancy hormone, is important to protect and nourish the growing embryo. A female’s body starts to make hCG once a fertilized egg implants into the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) and the hCG levels tend to increase rapidly early on in your pregnancy. HCG can be detected in the urine and blood 10 to 14 days after conception. The blood test can detect smaller amounts of hCG and therefore is more precise.



How do HCG and other Hormones aid pregnancy?


At the period of 4 weeks of pregnancy, the embryo (called egg before) implants further into the uterus which makes more hCG. This makes the body produce other hormones such as progesterone and estrogen. These hormones all together build up a person’s uterus lining and signal the ovaries to stop releasing eggs which is the reason why you stop having the period.


Image source: researchgate.net



How to interpret a pregnancy test result?


Generally speaking, an hCG level of less than 5 mIU/ml (milli-international units per milliliter) is a negative hCG result while above or equal to 25 mIU/mL is considered as a positive result. It is not necessary to check the hCG level regularly if the pregnancy is confirmed unless you are showing signs of a potential problem, for example, bleeding, having experienced a miscarriage before or experiencing severe cramping. For more information, please visit www.americanpregnancy.org.



LifeClues Ultra-sensitive Pregnancy Test is a rapid and convenient immunochromatographic in vitro assay for the detection of hCG hormone in urine to help in the early diagnosis of pregnancy. The detection limit for the ultra-sensitive test is 10 mIU/ml. The device is designed for home use or over-the-counter use. For more information, please visit www.lifeclues.ca.



References


1 Lori Smith. 2017. Pregnacy tests: All you need to know. Medical News Today. www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295001#when_can_I_take_it.

2 American Preganancy Association. N.D. What is HCG. https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/hcg-levels/#:~:text=An%20hCG%20level%20of%20less,rise%20to%20confirm%20a%20pregnancy

3 Pampers. 2021. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Levels Explained. www.pampers.com/en-us/pregnancy/prenatal-health-and-wellness/article/hcg-levels


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