Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
HCG pregnancy strip test
Introduction
Overview
Overview
HCG is human chorionic gonadotropin hormone secreted by corpus luteum and placenta to maintain the fetal viability. It is secreted in the urine of pregnant women. Detection of this hormone in urine or serum constitutes an easy and first method of diagnosis of pregnancy. It can be detected as early as seventh week. Pregnancy detection kits comprising of a card or strip impregnated with anti-HCG globulin is available easily in market. The test includes immersing the proper end of strip up to one centimeter in the urine in case of strip or putting three drops of urine at the properly indicated site on a card. Result is readable within two to three minutes.
References
References
Shaws Textbook of Gynaecology Dutta, DC:Textbook of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]