Pregnancy Test Sensitivity and Early-Detection Testing
HCG pregnancy tests determine pregnancy through the detection of the hormone hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) in a woman's urine. In technical terms, hCG is a glycoprotein hormone secreted by the developing placenta shortly after a fertilized egg has implanted in the uterine lining.
Clinically speaking, HCG is measured in thousandths of International Units, or mIU. Pregnancy tests with a sensitivity of 20 mIU/ml are more sensitive than tests with 50 to 100 mIU/ml. Test brands will display how sensitive their tests are using mIU as the standard unit of measure. Test sensitivity equates with early-detection - and the lower the number, the sooner a test can detect pregnancy. The most sensitive pregnancy tests can detect hCG levels at as low as 20 mIU - or at around 8 days following implantation of the egg.
Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com is one of the first Internet providers of FDA approved early home pregnancy tests. Tests are affordable, generic, come individually sealed with expiration dates extending two years.
How Soon Can I Test?
If a woman is pregnant, the amount of hCG in her system should be around 25 mIU at 10 dpo (days past ovulation), 50 mIU at 12 dpo, 100 mIU at around two weeks dpo. Blood tests can determine pregnancy as low as between 5 to 10 mIU/hCG, though with levels of 5 mIU, a conclusive determination cannot be made without risking a "false positive" (as low levels hCG can be present in the body without pregnancy).
Drugstore pregnancy tests generally detect pregnancy at 50 mIU - 100 mIU hCG, though you can find early-detection pregnancy tests on the Internet with sensitivity levels as low as 20 mIU. With all diagnostic products, take care to follow the instructions. Please consult the chart below for a comparison of pregnancy tests:
| Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com | 20 mIUs hCG |
| E.P.T. | 40 mIUs hCG |
| Clearblue Easy | 50 mIUs hCG |
| Store Brand: Rite-Aid | 50 mIUs hCG |
| First Response | 100 mIUs hCG |
| Answer | 100 mIUs hCG |
| Store Brand: Equate/WalMart | 100 mIUs hCG |
| QTest | 100 mIUs hCG |
| Store Brand: Walgreens | 100 mIUs hCG |
| Precise | 100 mIUs hCG |
For earliest detection of pregnancy, use first morning urine, as this sample contains the most concentrated amount of hCG. If using first morning urine is not possible, avoiding urination for several hours before using a pregnancy test. Frequent urination - or a diluted sample - can decrease the amount of hCG in your urine, interfering with early-detection.
What does a faint line on a pregnancy test mean?
On a pregnancy test, a faint test line - or color band - is usually indicative of a positive result, as long as it's read within the allotted time frame - or reaction time of the test (usually at 5-10 minutes). If you do the pregnancy test properly and read it within the recommended time, then a faint and weak line is very likely a positive pregnancy test. Explanations for a faint positive line include:
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Comments
I am on cycle day 28 and 12 days post ovulation and I took a test this am and it was positive. How soon should I call my doctors office to schedule an appointment?
I was supposed get my period on oct 22 am late 3days and am never late. Took a pregnacy test yesterday it was negative am so anxious could I still be pregnant.
I just read this article, and it was informative and very helpful to me. Thank you! However, I wanted to point out a possible error in some of the information given. I recently bought a 5-ct pack of Clearblue Easy Digital Pregnancy Tests. After doing some research on this website and ordering from Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com, I called the Clearblue Easy helpline and asked how sensitive their tests are (this article was the first I'd found that listed Clearblue Easy in the HPT comparison chart). I was told that my digital tests have a sensitivity of 25 mIU. Granted, your data may be for a different (non-digital?) test than what I bought, but I thought I would let you know what I discovered. I am curious to compare the store bought test results with the tests strips I ordered from Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com. Thanks again for your very informative website!
I started the nuva ring on friday night and had unprotected sex on sunday and monday night ( was on vacation) but now i am reading that it does not go into effect until 7 days after insertion. Can i be pregnant?? and it is already been a week since i inserted the ring so i know its too late for the morning after pill..what to do?
Can something show up in a women's blood sample that may point toward conception in as little as 48 hours after sex?
I havent had a FULL PERIOD in a little more than 2 months. I spotted about 1 month ago. Have taken numerous tests. Trying to get pregnant, but all the tests are coming back negative. My periods arent normal, but they dont go this long without showing up. I know a doctors advice would be helpful, but havent made it there yet. Long story! Please help me! If all this pain, heartburn, sensitivity. is not a pregnancy, then what is going on with my body?? I think I am, because is the exact thing I did with my son. Had abnormal periods, then felt like I had the flu, then spotted, then found out I was 2 1/2 months along! Please HELP!!!
This is to the comment from Anonymous on Sept 14th. You need to go to a Pharmacy and get Plan B® One-Step. It is available over the counter for anyone who is 17 and older. Plan B® One-Step is intended to prevent pregnancy after known or suspected contraceptive failure or unprotected intercourse.
Plan B® One-Step isn't effective if you're already pregnant, and it won't terminate an existing pregnancy. Plan B® One-Step can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex.
Basically it is just one pill and it will try to stop you from ovulating this month. I hope this helps.
i had a bad day and slept with the guy i had been seeing, it wasn't planned and i'm not on any form of birth control. he told me afterwards that he didn't use a condom and i just finished my period 4 days before. i'm very worried, could i be pregnant? i don't know if it is my nerves or not but my lower stomach muscles are tighter and they twitch a lot. i'm not due to have my period until around the 28th. i can't have a baby now!! i am just out of college, looking for jobs, and broke!
I am trying to get pregnant and I have had unprotected sex two daya before I was to ovulate. My period is due in a few days and my hpt I took this morning was negative, could I still be expecting??? Fingers crossed
i found july 8th's answer to july 1st's question to be quite funny....
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