Home pregnancy testing or pharmacy tests for pregnancy has no value for the definition of whether or not you are pregnant, these types of tests can even give a correct result, but we doctors do not consider them as 100% reliable. Only tests done in laboratories are reliable and taken into consideration for medical decision making.
There are many questions on the site about a confusion that is made when reading the results of the Beta-HCG test, especially regarding reference values, I have a good tip for that, forget everything that is written and just look at the result : "Positive or negative".
Beta-HCG Values Interpretation Table:
(these values are arbitrary and were created by me, the actual values differ somewhat depending on the laboratory and individual patient factors)
Values between 0 and 25: negative result, but pregnant women in the first or second week of pregnancy may present values still lower than 25, so it is recommended to wait for another 10 to 15 days and if the menstrual delay persists, repeat the examination.
Values between 25 and 100: they are considered positive or indeterminate (depends on the laboratory), most of the times are considered positive. In doubt, you should wait for another 10 to 15 days and if the menstrual delay persists you should repeat the exam;
Values above 100: positive result.
1 - When should I take the exam?
Whenever menstruation is delayed for more than 15 days and if there is a possibility of pregnancy (unprotected sexual intercourse, if not used contraceptive method or used improperly).
2 - Can the Beta-HCG test go wrong?
Yes, but the errors are very few (rare), in a general way we must always believe in the result, if negative means that is not pregnant and if you give positive means you are pregnant, but the doctor knows how to interpret the result based on your symptoms and if necessary, conduct a more thorough investigation, in doubt go to a gynecologist.
3 - Can I take pregnancy before menstruation is late?
Yes. The Beta-HCG blood test is already positive 1 week after the pregnancy has occurred even before the delayed menses.
4 - The result of Beta-HCG was positive, I'm pregnant?
Probably yes. Although there are other situations that can give positive Beta-HCG in addition to pregnancy.
4.1 - The test was negative, I'm not pregnant?
Probably not. The examination done after 1 week after the relationship that resulted in a possible pregnancy already usually gives positive, even before the menstruation delay. Exams done in a few days after the relationship are not reliable (always do more than one week).
4.1.1 Has the test been negative and the menses have not yet come, when should I repeat the Beta-HCG?
Should not repeat, if negative is negative, if menses did not go down and your examination is negative should go to the doctor.
5 - How many weeks pregnant do I have for the value of Beta-HCG?
Beta-HCG does not serve to know the gestational age. The doctor can calculate by menstruation or ultrasound.
6 - The result of Beta-HCG was negative, so I'm not pregnant? Or can I be pregnant?
Probably not. Although the test may be negative and the woman is pregnant, this is not common, but it can happen. However a negative test is a good indication that it is not pregnancy and the cause of the symptoms you are feeling, or menstrual delay, it should be for another reason.
7 - I took the exam, gave negative, but did not the menses come yet?
There are many causes for menstrual delay in addition to pregnancy, you need to go to a gynecologist and maybe do more exams.
8 - Does contraception alter the results of the Beta-HCG test?
Do not.
9 - Does the Next Day Pill change the outcome of the pregnancy test?
Do not.
10 - Does Mioma alter the results of the Beta-HCG test?
Do not.
