Qualitative Beta HCG: what it is for, how it is done (and results)

Qualitative beta hCG is a test that detects the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood. This hormone is only produced by a woman’s body during pregnancy, so when the qualitative beta hCG result is positive, it means that there is an almost certain possibility (99%) that the woman is pregnant.

Normally, qualitative beta hCG is used by the gynecologist to confirm the positive result of the pharmacy test, allowing the diagnosis of pregnancy to be confirmed. See more about the pharmacy pregnancy test, when to take it and results.

In addition to the qualitative beta hCG, there is also the quantitative beta hCG test, which measures the amount of the hormone in the blood and is used to identify the woman’s gestational age and determine if it is a twin pregnancy, for example.

What is it for

The qualitative beta hCG test is used to confirm or rule out the possibility of pregnancy, as it has an accuracy rate of 99%.

This exam is normally recommended by the gynecologist to confirm the result of the pharmacy pregnancy test.

How the exam is carried out

The qualitative beta hCG test is very simple to perform, all you need to do is take a blood sample, which will then be analyzed in the laboratory. There is no need for any type of fasting or preparation to take the exam.

Qualitative beta hCG results

There are 2 possible results for the qualitative beta hCG test:

• Positive: it means that the hormone has been identified in the blood and the woman is pregnant;
• Negative: It means that the hormone has not been identified in the blood and the woman is not pregnant.

Although a positive result is almost always an indication that a woman is pregnant, there are also some rare cases in which a woman is not actually pregnant. This mainly happens due to ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or some type of cancer in the reproductive system. Therefore, if a woman has a positive result, but does not suspect pregnancy, it is very important to consult a gynecologist.

In the case of a negative result, it is very rare for it to be a false negative. However, if the woman presents classic pregnancy symptoms or has engaged in risky behavior, it is recommended to repeat the examination after 1 week.

Difference between qualitative and quantitative beta hCG

Although they have similar names, qualitative and quantitative beta hCG tests are different and give different results. In the case of qualitative beta hCG, the result will be positive or negative, as it only indicates whether or not the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is present in the blood.

In the case of quantitative beta hCG, in addition to the presence of the hormone, the test also measures the quantity. In this case, the result is offered in the form of a number, which represents the amount of the hormone in the blood. From this amount, the gynecologist can identify the stage of pregnancy the woman is in and even understand whether the pregnancy could be twins. Understand better what quantitative beta hCG is, when to do it and how to understand the result.

What to do in case of a positive result

In the case of a positive result in the qualitative beta hCG test, it is important to make an appointment with an obstetrician to start prenatal care. Prenatal care is health monitoring recommended for all pregnant women and aims to assess the health of women and their babies during all stages of pregnancy, through regular consultations and exams. Find out more about prenatal care, when it should start and what tests are performed.