Getting Pregnant Forum - Blood & Urine (HPT) Pregnancy Tests: what's the difference?

Pregnancy Forum > Getting Pregnant Forum > Blood & Urine (HPT) Pregnancy Tests: what's the difference?

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Q: Blood & Urine (HPT) Pregnancy Tests: what's the difference?

asked by: DoctorQuestion on December 9th, 2006

What is the difference between the blood pregnancy tests and the urine pregnancy tests that you get at the doctor? Is one more sensitive than the other?

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on December 13th, 2006

Getting Pregnant Answer A1950

The first difference between blood and urine test is that blood-based pregnancy tests are more sensitive than urine-based pregnancy tests. The second difference is that urine-based pregnancy tests are qualitative, which means that they only detect the presence of the human chorion gonadotropin hormone (HCG), or don't. Blood-based pregnancy tests are quantitative, which means they can MEASURE the level of HCG if it is detected. By measuring the level of HCG present in the blood, a doctor can evaluate a pregnancy’s development.

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