A quantitative β-hCG blood test measures the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin in your blood. It can help confirm the presence of the pregnancy hormone and support early-pregnancy assessment.
Human chorionic gonadotropin, commonly known as hCG or β-hCG, is a hormone produced following the implantation of an embryo.
The hormone can usually be detected in the blood during the early stages of pregnancy. Its concentration normally increases during early pregnancy before changing as the pregnancy progresses.
A quantitative β-hCG blood test measures the amount of hCG present in your blood and provides a numerical laboratory result.
The test may help:
• Confirm the presence of the pregnancy hormone
• Investigate a suspected early pregnancy
• Provide a baseline hCG measurement
• Support medically supervised early-pregnancy monitoring
• Support follow-up after fertility treatment when requested by your fertility clinic
• Support follow-up after pregnancy loss, termination or treatment when requested by a healthcare professional
A single β-hCG result cannot confirm where a pregnancy is located, whether it is progressing normally or whether it is viable. Additional blood tests, clinical assessment and an ultrasound scan may be required.
This test measures the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin in a venous blood sample.
The laboratory usually reports the result as a numerical concentration using international units per litre, commonly written as IU/L.
Unlike a qualitative pregnancy test that provides only a positive or negative result, a quantitative β-hCG test provides a numerical measurement.
This measurement may be useful when:
• A more detailed result is required
• A urine pregnancy-test result is uncertain or does not match your symptoms
• A healthcare professional requires a baseline hCG level
• Repeat measurements are being arranged under medical supervision
• A fertility clinic has requested a blood pregnancy test
During early-pregnancy assessment, healthcare professionals may sometimes request two β-hCG tests approximately 48 hours apart.
The change between the results may provide more useful information than a single measurement. However, β-hCG results must be interpreted alongside symptoms, medical history and ultrasound findings where appropriate.
A single result cannot confirm pregnancy location or viability.
The following services and investigations are not included in this individual β-hCG blood test:
• A urine pregnancy test
• A repeat or second β-hCG measurement
• Progesterone testing
• An ultrasound scan
• Pregnancy dating
• Confirmation of pregnancy location
• Confirmation of fetal viability
• Assessment or exclusion of ectopic pregnancy
• Miscarriage assessment
• Fertility hormone testing
• First-trimester antenatal screening
• Down’s syndrome screening
• A clinical consultation or physical examination
• Medical diagnosis or treatment
If you require repeat β-hCG measurements, progesterone testing or another investigation, these must be ordered separately.
If you have pain, bleeding or other concerning symptoms, do not use this test as a substitute for urgent medical assessment.
You may consider this test if you:
• Have missed a period and want a blood pregnancy test
• Have received an unclear or unexpected home pregnancy-test result
• Want a quantitative measurement rather than only a positive or negative result
• Have been advised to obtain a β-hCG test by a healthcare professional
• Need a baseline hCG measurement
• Are undergoing fertility treatment and your fertility clinic has advised you when to test
• Require medically supervised monitoring during early pregnancy
• Require follow-up after pregnancy loss, termination or treatment under professional guidance
Testing too early may produce a negative or very low result even if pregnancy has occurred.
Pregnancy tests are generally most reliable from the first day of a missed period. If you do not know when your period is due, consider testing at least 21 days after the last episode of unprotected sex.
If you are undergoing fertility treatment, follow the testing date provided by your fertility clinic. Testing earlier than instructed may produce a misleading result.
Test name: Quantitative Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Also known as: Quantitative hCG, β-hCG, beta-hCG or blood pregnancy test
Test category: Hormones and Pregnancy
Laboratory test code: QHCG
Sample required: Venous blood sample
Laboratory sample type: Serum
Collection tube: Gold-top serum tube
Fasting required: No
Special preparation: No special preparation is normally required
Appointment duration: Approximately 15 minutes
Minimum age: Adults aged 18 and over
Estimated turnaround time: Usually within 1 working day after the sample reaches the laboratory
Laboratory testing: Testing is performed by an accredited partner laboratory
Available collection methods:
• Clinic Blood Collection
• Home Visit Blood Collection
Turnaround times are estimates and are not guaranteed. Results may take longer if the laboratory needs to repeat the analysis, perform additional checks or request a replacement sample.
Fasting is not required for this test. You may eat and drink normally before your appointment.
Before your appointment:
• Drink water and remain normally hydrated unless a healthcare professional has restricted your fluid intake.
• Continue taking prescribed medication unless the clinician responsible for your care has instructed you otherwise.
• Do not stop or change prescribed medication based on information from this website.
• Provide the date of the first day of your last menstrual period, if known.
• Tell us when your next period was or is expected.
• Tell us about any recent positive, negative or unclear pregnancy-test results.
• Tell us if you are undergoing fertility treatment.
• Tell us if you have recently received medication or an injection containing hCG, as this may affect the result.
• Tell us if you have recently given birth, experienced a pregnancy loss or had a termination, because hCG may remain detectable for a period afterwards.
• Tell the phlebotomist if you have previously fainted or felt unwell during a blood test.
If you are undergoing IVF or another fertility treatment, follow the testing date and instructions provided by your fertility clinic.
Add the Quantitative β-hCG Pregnancy Blood Test to your shopping cart.
Add either Clinic Blood Collection or Home Visit Blood Collection to your cart.
Please select one collection method only. Do not add both options.
Select “Book Your Appointment” and choose an available date and time for your blood sample collection.
Please use the same name, telephone number and email address used when placing your order.
Your identity and order will be checked before your blood sample is collected.
Your sample will be transported to our accredited partner laboratory for analysis.
Your laboratory report will be delivered securely when the testing process is complete.
Your laboratory report will provide a numerical β-hCG concentration together with the laboratory’s interpretation or reference information, where applicable.
The result must be interpreted using:
• The date of your last menstrual period
• The date of possible conception
• The timing of the test
• Your symptoms
• Previous pregnancy-test results
• Fertility treatment or medication
• Previous β-hCG results
• Ultrasound findings, where available
• Recent pregnancy, delivery, pregnancy loss or termination
A low or negative result may mean that pregnancy has not occurred.
However, it may also mean that the test was performed too early for hCG to be detected reliably.
If your period remains absent or pregnancy is still suspected, you may need to repeat the test after at least 48 hours or contact your GP or another qualified healthcare professional.
An increased β-hCG result is commonly associated with pregnancy. However, a single result cannot confirm:
• The exact stage of pregnancy
• Where the pregnancy is located
• Whether the pregnancy is progressing normally
• Whether the pregnancy is viable
• Whether an ectopic pregnancy is present or absent
hCG may also remain detectable for a period after delivery, pregnancy loss or termination. Fertility medication containing hCG may also affect the result.
Healthcare professionals may request two β-hCG measurements approximately 48 hours apart to assess how the level changes.
Repeat testing and interpretation should be arranged with a GP, fertility clinic, early-pregnancy unit or another qualified healthcare professional where clinically required.
This test cannot confirm the location or viability of a pregnancy and cannot exclude an ectopic pregnancy.
An ectopic pregnancy can be serious and requires urgent medical assessment.
Contact NHS 111, your GP or an early-pregnancy service urgently if you may be pregnant and experience:
• Pain low down on one side of your abdomen
• Vaginal bleeding or a brown watery discharge
• Pain at the tip of your shoulder
• Pain or discomfort when urinating or opening your bowels
• Persistent or worsening abdominal or pelvic pain
Call 999 or attend Accident & Emergency immediately if you experience:
• Sudden, severe abdominal pain
• Severe dizziness
• Fainting or collapse
• Marked paleness
• Severe weakness or signs of significant bleeding
Seek medical advice even if you have not yet received a positive pregnancy-test result.
Alpha Med Lab does not provide emergency pregnancy assessment, ultrasound scanning, diagnosis or treatment.
Do not delay urgent medical care while waiting for this test or its result.
If you are uncertain whether the Full Blood Count test is suitable for you, please contact Alpha Med Lab before placing your order.
Telephone: 07448 342115
Email: info@alphamedlab.co.uk
Add the Full Blood Count test to your cart, select one blood collection method and then book your appointment.
IMPORTANT: Blood collection is charged separately.
