Regardless of the kind of pregnancy test you take, all look for the presence of the same hormone: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
In the early stages of pregnancy, the fertilized egg will implant in your uterus, triggering the placenta to form. The placenta releases the hormone hCG into your blood and urine, and once the hormone rises to detectable levels, you can receive a positive pregnancy test.
Are you wondering whether or not you’re pregnant? Schedule a free-of-charge appointment at Pathways Clinic in Washougal, WA, to find out for sure.
Blood v. Urine Testing: What’s the Difference?
When considering both types of blood testing, they have a couple of key differences.
1. Test Accessibility
Urine tests are far more accessible than blood pregnancy tests. You can purchase a urine test over-the-counter in any drugstore and many grocery stores, but you can’t purchase a blood test as easily. These typically need to be performed at a doctor’s office or lab.
Blood tests also tend to be more expensive because they usually require a doctor’s visit followed by blood work, which often has lab fees. Insurance coverage can alter the cost for each woman.
2. Timing of Results
The timing of results also differs. While you may be able to get an earlier result with blood testing (about 11 days after conception), it will likely take hours to days to receive test results back after examination.
Meanwhile, a urine pregnancy test can give you results in minutes, depending on which one you use. However, waiting until after a missed period is best for the most reliable results.
3. Quantitative v. Qualitative Results
Both urine and blood pregnancy tests will tell you whether or not you’re pregnant (qualitative data), but urine tests will not tell you your exact levels of hCG (quantitative date) like a blood test can.
Sometimes, doctors will write a script for pregnancy blood testing so they can see the specific levels of hCG if there are concerns about potential miscarriage. They may want to compare blood test results over a 48-hour period to see if the hCG levels are increasing or falling.
You also may request a pregnancy blood test from your doctor if your period hasn’t arrived yet, you received negative or mixed urine pregnancy test results, or you believe you may be pregnant. A blood pregnancy test can be more accurate than a urine pregnancy test and provide definitive answers.
Schedule a Pregnancy Testing Appointment
Because urine pregnancy tests are 99% effective when taken correctly, most women can find the answers they’re looking for with an at-home or lab-quality pregnancy test.
Schedule a pregnancy testing appointment at Pathways Clinic, free of charge. You will receive answers during your appointment and information on any next steps.
Why wonder when you can find out for sure? Contact us today.