Beta HCG test is a blood test that measures human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone that is released following a woman's conception. The test is conducted to confirm pregnancy, check the progress of the pregnancy, and detect pregnancy complications such as ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. It is possible to have it as early as 6-8 days after ovulation and is also more sensitive than a urine test. It also proves handy where treatment for fertility such as Beta HCG for IVF is applied in determining how successful the implant has been.

What is the Beta HCG Test?

Beta hCG is a laboratory blood test for the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood, a placental hormone that has been secreted since after implantation of the egg into the uterus. Beta hCG in early pregnancy is the beta subunit of the hormone, pregnancy-specific, and utilized as the substrate for early pregnancy testing.

Because of its sensitivity, when a woman is pregnant, it can be detected as early as 6 to 8 days after ovulation, and is thus more advanced than the urine pregnancy test. It is also frequently utilized in fertility clinics and maternity units for pregnancy tests, tracking of its progression, as well as for assessment of such pregnancy complications as Beta HCG in ectopic pregnancy or threat of miscarriage.

Why is the Beta HCG Test Done?

There are some key uses of the Beta HCG test:

  • Identification of Early Pregnancy: It is used to identify pregnancy before the missed period, in women going through fertility treatment or who are getting pregnant.
  • Monitoring Pregnancy Progress: It monitors the HCG level so that the pregnancy is progressing.
  • Detection of Ectopic Pregnancy: Misbehaving levels of HCG are found in an ectopic pregnancy, when the embryo is growing outside the uterus.
  • Miscarriage Risk Test: Low beta HCG levels suggest miscarriage.
  • Fertility Treatment: The test verifies implantation of the embryo and tracks IVF pregnancy development.
  • Cancer Diagnosis: High levels of hCG are present in some cancers such as choriocarcinoma or germ cell tumor.

Preparation for Beta HCG Test

No preparation required for Beta HCG test
  • No Fasting: You may eat and drink as you normally do before the test.
  • Reveal Drugs: Inform your doctor if you are currently taking any drug, such as fertility drugs, which will influence the outcome.
  • Recent Complications of Pregnancy: Inform your doctor if you have recently experienced a miscarriage or pregnancy complications so they at least know something about what to do with the outcome.
  • Clothing: Get clothes on so that it will be easy enough to raise your arm so that they can take blood from it.

Beta HCG Test Procedure

Beta HCG test is one of the fast blood tests. Here is what they do during the test:

  • Site Preparation: The skin on your arm is prepared by health care professionals.
  • Blood Draw: A needle is inserted into a vein to get a blood sample. It's not a lengthy process, though.
  • Analysis of Sample: The blood is tested for the level of HCG.
The test can not be used, and the outcome typically takes 24 to 48 hours.


What To Do After the Test?

Following Beta HCG test result:

  • No Time Off: Just go about doing things normally straight away.
  • Minor Side Effects: Most will experience mild bruising or discomfort where the blood draw is, and this will have cleared in a day or two.
  • Follow-up: The doctor will schedule follow-up tests and follow-up office visits, as necessary. Pregnant, follow-up testing will be done to check the levels of HCG.

The Interpretation of Beta HCG Test Results

Beta hCG is reported as an integer value in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL). Beta HCG normal range levels is as follows:

  • 3 weeks: 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

Interpreting Results

  • Low Levels: Low HCG indicates non-progressive pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, or miscarriage.
  • High Levels: High beta HCG levels will identify multiple pregnancy or molar pregnancy.
  • Doubling Time: Beta HCG doubling time every 48–72 hours is normal in normal pregnancy in early pregnancy. Plateau or deceleration is not optimal.
Your doctor will try to place these values in context in your history and symptoms.

Conditions Detected with Beta HCG Test

Beta HCG test is of highly helpful aid in diagnosing the majority of conditions:

  • Ectopic Pregnancy: Rising HCG can be a symptom of ectopic pregnancy when the embryo develops outside the uterus.
  • Miscarriage: Falling Beta HCG pregnancy can be a symptom of miscarriage.
  • Molar Pregnancy: Malignant growth of tissue in the uterus instead of developing baby can cause rising HCG.
  • Choriocarcinoma: Cancer of the uterus which overproduces HCG.
  • Germ Cell Tumors: Both the male and female have a likelihood of HCG production for these tumors.
  • Chemical Pregnancy: Beta HCG for miscarriage plays a vital role in detecting it at an early stage. Miscarriage at early stage, typically as a pattern of decreasing or low HCG.

Beta HCG vs HCG: What's the Difference?

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a pregnancy hormone. It has two subunits: alpha and beta. Beta HCG is literally the beta subunit, which exists in pregnancy only and not in any other hormones. Hence, Beta HCG tests are very sensitive and specific for detecting pregnancy over total HCG tests. Simply put, Beta HCG is the specific portion tracked in early and accurate pregnancy blood tests.

Beta HCG Test Cost in Pakistan

The Beta HCG test price in Pakistan is between PKR 1,200 and PKR 2,500, varying with a multitude of factors such as the city, lab reputation, and quality of services provided. Diagnostic centers in big cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad are more and some of the centers provide competitive pricing with quick result turnaround. More expensive labs may also include additional fees for faster reports or more advanced methods of testing. The majority of labs also offer promotional discounts, home sampling, or fertility testing packages that involve Beta HCG, making the process convenient and inexpensive for patients.

Book lab tests from the best-certified labs in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, and get a discount of up to 35%. For assistance, call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the right lab test for your health needs.