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Serum HCG Vs. Urine HCG

Human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, is a hormone that is produced and released into the bloodstream during pregnancy. This hormone may be measured in both the serum of blood and urine.

  1. Serum HCG

    • A blood test sample can be used to do a qualitative HCG test and a quantitative HCG test. A blood test is also administered if certain ovarian tumors in women or testicular tumors in men are suspected.

    Qualitative Serum HCG

    • The qualitative HCG blood test checks only to see if there is HCG in the blood stream. Results will either be positive if the patient is pregnant, or negative if she is not.

    Quantitative Serum HCG

    • The quantitative HCG blood test measures the exact amount of HCG in the bloodstream. Levels increase rapidly during the early weeks of pregnancy and this test is frequently used to determine if the pregnancy is progressing properly.

    Urine HCG

    • A urine sample also may be used to test for the presence of HCG. Urine tests are only qualitative, resulting in a positive or negative, not specific HCG levels. At-home pregnancy tests are qualitative urine HCG tests.

    False or Abnormal Results

    • If pregnancy is suspected, but results of any of these tests are negative, the test should be repeated in one week, according to the National Institutes of Health. Lower than normal results may signify a threatened miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. High levels, when there is no pregnancy, may signify ovarian cancer.

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