Why get tested? To confirm and monitor pregnancy or to help diagnose and monitor trophoblastic disease or germ cell tumors
When to get tested? As early as 10 days after a missed menstrual period (some methods can detect hCG even earlier, at one week after conception) or if a doctor thinks that your symptoms suggest ectopic pregnancy, trophoblastic disease, or germ cell tumors
Sample required? A urine sample collected first thing in the morning or a blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm
This article was last reviewed on February 9, 2008.
This page was last modified on April 8, 2009.
The review date indicates when the article was last reviewed from beginning to end to ensure that it reflects the most current science. A review may not require any modifications to the article, so the two dates may not always agree.
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