Lab test · Pregnancy
Beta hCG Blood Test (Quantitative)
Pregnancy confirmation & level
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Pregnancy confirmation & level
Beta hCG measures the exact amount of human chorionic gonadotrophin, the pregnancy hormone made by the placenta after a fertilised egg settles in the womb. Because it gives a number rather than just yes or no, it can pick up pregnancy earlier than most urine tests. Doctors also compare results over several days to see whether an early pregnancy is progressing as expected.
Why a doctor may order it
- To confirm pregnancy, especially very early or when a urine test is unclear
- To follow an early pregnancy when there is pain or bleeding
- When an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside the womb) is suspected
- To check that the level falls back after a miscarriage
- To follow up after treatment for a molar pregnancy
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
No fasting or special preparation is needed, and unlike a urine test the sample can be taken at any time of day. Tell your doctor if you have had fertility treatment with hCG injections, as this can affect the result. If your doctor wants to compare two results, book the repeat test on the day they advise.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- The collector draws a little blood from a vein in your arm while you sit comfortably at home. It takes only a few minutes and is safe in pregnancy.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
Your report gives your hCG level as a number, with the laboratory's guide to what is expected. In a healthy early pregnancy the level usually rises quickly, so a single number means less than the change between two tests. A level that rises slowly or falls can point to a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, and a very high level can be seen with twins or a molar pregnancy. Your doctor will interpret the results together with your symptoms and an ultrasound scan.
What's included
One test: Beta hCG Blood Test (Quantitative), from one blood sample.
Related tests
Questions people ask
Is a blood pregnancy test more accurate than a urine test?
A blood test can detect smaller amounts of hCG and gives an exact level. Urine tests are reliable once a period has been missed, but the blood test is useful very early or when the result needs to be followed.
How early can beta hCG detect pregnancy?
A blood test can often detect pregnancy a few days before a missed period, earlier than most home urine tests.
Why has my doctor asked for a repeat beta hCG?
The change in level over a few days says more than one reading. Comparing two results helps your doctor see whether an early pregnancy is developing as expected.
Can beta hCG be positive without a pregnancy?
Rarely. A recent pregnancy loss, hCG injections used in fertility treatment and some uncommon tumours can raise hCG. Your doctor will explain an unexpected result.
How much does a Beta hCG test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳700, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Beta hCG test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Beta hCG report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.