Know What Is The Pregnancy Hormone Examination

 

Pregnancy hormone screening is a screening procedure to detect the presence or amount of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced during pregnancy. This examination can be done using a sample of urine or blood .

Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) is produced by the cells that are formed in the placenta and serves to nourish the egg that has been fertilized by sperm and has been attached to the uterine wall. HCG hormone is generally detectable in the blood or urine at least 10-14 days after conception.

The pregnancy hormone screening consists of two types of examination:

• Qualitative examination, is an examination to detect whether or not the hormone hCG is in the blood or urine. This examination can be done at home using a pregnancy test kit or hospital if using a blood sample.
• Quantitative Examination, is an examination performed to measure the amount of hCG hormone in the blood. This examination requires testing of blood samples in the laboratory.

Indications of Pregnancy Hormone Examination

done to confirm the pregnancy. In addition, a blood hormone pregnancy test is also performed for the following:

• Determining the approximate age of the fetus.
• Diagnosing abnormal pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancy.
• Detects abnormalities that may occur in the fetus, such as Down Syndrome

Examination of pregnancy hormones through the blood is sometimes also done to ascertain whether a patient is pregnant, before he undergoes treatment that potentially harm the fetus , such as radiotherapy or surgery. If the patient proves to be pregnant, then the doctor will make an effort to protect the fetus from the effects of such treatment.

The blood hormone pregnancy check can also be used to examine and evaluate certain types of cancer by detecting hormone hCG. In addition to being generated during pregnancy, hormone hCG is a hormone that is also produced by several types of tumors. Some types of cancers that cause increased levels of hCG include:

• Cancer of the womb.
• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer

In addition to cancer, hCG hormones can also increase in non-cancerous conditions, such as cirrhosis and colitis.

Before Pregnancy Hormone Examination

For pregnancy hormone checks either alone or in the laboratory does not require special preparation. However, there are some things that need to be considered for the examination of pregnancy with pregnancy test kits are sold freely, among others:

• Read the use instructions contained on the packaging and other information that can be found in the package.
• Ensure that the pregnancy test equipment used does not extend beyond the expiration date.
• Avoid consuming large amounts of fluid before undergoing a pregnancy test, as it affects hCG levels in the urine and makes the test results inaccurate.

In addition, before the patient undergoes a pregnancy hormone test, either through urine or blood, the patient should notify the doctor when taking drugs, such as diuretics, antihistamines, anticonvulsants, Parkinson's disease drugs, and tranquilizers, as they may affect the results of the examination.

Pregnancy Examination Procedures

Pregnancy hormone screening should be 1-2 weeks ah late menstruation to get accurate test results. Steps of hormonal pregnancy checks through urine and pregnancy test kits are as follows:

• Do the test when first urinating after waking up. In the morning, the urine still looks thick and contains the highest hCG levels because it has not been mixed with other liquids.
• Point the indicator tool in the urine that flows for about 5 seconds until wet. Some other types of pregnancy tests may require the patient to collect the urine into a container, then slip the indicator tool into the container.
• Wait for about 5-10 minutes until the outcome

Examination of the pregnancy hormone through the blood is done using a simple blood-taking procedure with the following steps:

• The elastic band will be fastened to the patient's upper arm to stop the blood flow and make the blood flow in the arm more visible.
• The doctor will clean the blood vessels to be stabbed, with alcohol.
• The doctor will insert a needle into the blood vessel and the blood will be collected in a tube connected to the needle. The patient will feel a stinging sensation when the needle comes in.
• As long as the needle is in the blood vessels, the patient will feel slightly uncomfortable. After enough blood is taken, the elastic band will be removed from the patient's arm.
• The doctor will remove the needle and place the cotton or gauze on the injection area. Patients may feel pain and a slight throb at the injection site after the needle is removed.
• The patient is asked to keep the injection area within a few minutes to prevent bleeding.
• The doctor will close the injection area with a bandage or plaster

Results and After Pregnancy Hormone Examination

The results of a qualitative pregnancy hormone examination consist of 2 types, namely:

• Positive results. A positive result indicates that the hCG hormone is detected rising in the urine.
• Negative results. Negative results indicate that the hCG hormone is not detected in the urine. However, these results are not a definitive outcome that patients are not pregnant. This condition is caused by several other factors, such as:
  • Pregnancy test kits are out of date or not used as instructed.
  • Pregnancy tests are done too early, so hCG levels are low or insufficient to show Positive results.
  • Urine has been mixed with other liquids.
  • Take certain medications before or while undergoing tests.

Qualitative pregnancy hormone testing (free pregnancy test) is generally not 100% accurate. Whatever the outcome, you should still consult your doctor to confirm the pregnancy. Your doctor may check your pregnancy hormone by blood or additional checks to ensure pregnancy, if necessary.

The results of a blood hormone pregnancy test are generally adjusted to the patient's hCG hormone level. The following table shows the normal hCG levels during pregnancy. The Week of the Last Menstrual Period Normal hCG level (mIU/ mL) 4 0-750 5 200-7000 6 200-32000 7 3000-160000 8-12 32000-210000 13-16 9000-210000 16-29 1400-53000 29-41 940-60000

Normal hCG levels for nonpregnant women are less than 10 mIU/ mL. If hCG levels are beyond normal limits, they may indicate a particular condition, such as:

• If the hCG level in the blood is lower than the normal limit, this may indicate:
  • An ectopic pregnancy.
  • Suspected miscarriage or abnormal ovum.
  • Incorrect pregnancy time.
• If hCG levels in the blood higher than normal limits, it can show:
  • Wine pregnant, a condition when the egg does not develop into an embryo after going through the process of conception.
  • Multiple pregnancies, such as twins ( twins ) or triplets
  • Incorrect pregnancy time

The Risks of Pregnancy Hormone Examination

Examination of pregnancy hormones through the urine is generally safe and has no side effects. Likewise with the examination of pregnancy hormones through the blood, is generally safe and sometimes only cause mild side effects, such as minor bruises at the injection area. However, in some rare cases, the examination of pregnancy hormone through the blood can cause the following risks:

• Mild headache
• Fainting
• Hematoma
• Infection at injection site
• Blood vessels
• Severe haemorrhage

Immediately contact your nearest physician or hospital if you have an effect side of the above or side effects worsened.