How early can this test detect pregnancy?

A blood hCG test can detect pregnancy as early as 6-8 days after ovulation/conception - about a week before your missed period. Urine tests typically require hCG levels above 20-25 mIU/mL, while blood tests can detect levels as low as 5 mIU/mL.

Why would I need a blood test instead of a urine test?

Blood tests detect lower hCG levels (earlier detection), provide exact numbers for monitoring, and are more reliable. They are preferred after fertility treatments, when monitoring for ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage risk, or when urine test results are unclear.

What if my hCG is not doubling?

In normal early pregnancy, hCG typically doubles every 48-72 hours. Slower rise may indicate ectopic pregnancy or impending miscarriage, but some normal pregnancies have slower hCG rise. Your doctor will interpret results alongside ultrasound findings.

Can medications affect the results?

hCG trigger shots (used in fertility treatment) can cause false positives for 10-14 days after injection. Other fertility medications do not typically affect results. Home pregnancy tests and blood tests measure the same hormone.

When will hCG show up on an ultrasound?

A gestational sac is typically visible on transvaginal ultrasound when hCG reaches 1,000-2,000 mIU/mL (around 5-6 weeks). A fetal heartbeat is usually seen when hCG exceeds 5,000-10,000 mIU/mL (6-7 weeks).

Back to Tests

🌸 Fertility

hCG Quantitative Blood Test - Pregnancy Hormone Test

hCG

Measures the exact level of hCG (pregnancy hormone) in your blood. More accurate than urine tests and can detect pregnancy earlier - as soon as 6-8 days after conception.

The quantitative hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) blood test measures the precise amount of pregnancy hormone in your blood, unlike qualitative tests that only show positive or negative.

This test can detect pregnancy earlier than urine tests and is particularly valuable for:

Confirming very early pregnancy
Monitoring pregnancy viability (hCG should double every 48-72 hours in early pregnancy)
Detecting potential problems like ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage
Monitoring after miscarriage or treatment for molar pregnancy

hCG is produced by the placenta after implantation and rises rapidly in early pregnancy, peaking around 8-11 weeks.

Price

$15

All-in

$33

incl. $18 lab & physician fee

Results

1 business days

Fasting

Not Required

What's Measured

hCG

What This Test Measures

This test measures beta-hCG (β-hCG) in mIU/mL:

Not pregnant: Less than 5 mIU/mL
3 weeks pregnant: 5-50 mIU/mL
4 weeks: 5-426 mIU/mL
5 weeks: 18-7,340 mIU/mL
6 weeks: 1,080-56,500 mIU/mL
7-8 weeks: 7,650-229,000 mIU/mL
9-12 weeks: 25,700-288,000 mIU/mL (peak levels)

After 12 weeks, hCG levels gradually decline and plateau for the remainder of pregnancy.

Who Should Consider This Test

Women who want to confirm pregnancy earlier than urine tests allow. Also for those with fertility treatments (IVF/IUI) who need precise monitoring, women with symptoms of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage, those being monitored after pregnancy loss, or anyone whose home pregnancy test is unclear or inconsistent.

Health Insights

Conditions Screened

Pregnancy confirmationEctopic pregnancyMiscarriage (threatened or complete)Molar pregnancyPregnancy viability

Related Symptoms

Missed periodEarly pregnancy symptomsPregnancy confirmation neededMonitoring after fertility treatmentConcerns about pregnancy viability

When to Get Tested

No fasting required. Test anytime. For earliest detection, test 6-8 days after suspected conception (around the time of expected period). For monitoring, your doctor may request serial tests 48-72 hours apart to assess hCG doubling time.

No fasting needed. How to prepare for your blood test →

Understanding Your Results

Single test interpretation:

Below 5 mIU/mL: Not pregnant (or too early)
5-25 mIU/mL: Possibly pregnant - retest in 48-72 hours
Above 25 mIU/mL: Pregnant

Serial testing (48-72 hours apart):

hCG doubling: Normal early pregnancy progression
hCG rising but not doubling: Possible ectopic or nonviable pregnancy
hCG declining: Possible miscarriage

Note: Wide ranges are normal. A single value is less meaningful than the trend over time.

What to Expect

After placing your order, we send it straight to Quest Diagnostics — there is no consent form to sign and no partner email to wait for. Your requisition is usually ready to download from your dashboard within about an hour, and you can book your blood draw at any Quest Diagnostics location.

The blood draw typically takes just a few minutes. Results are usually available within 1 business days and will appear in your secure JustLabs dashboard.

Our results include reference ranges and easy-to-understand indicators showing whether your values are within normal limits.

How much does the hCG test cost?

The hCG test costs $15 at JustLabs — $33 all-in, since the $18 lab & physician order fee is charged once per order, however many tests you add. The price is fixed before your blood draw; no insurance or doctor visit needed.