[WVUturtle514]

Can anyone explain to me the specifics of a quantitative HcG test as opposed to a STAT HcG test? I had a positive home test on Friday, so I went to the Dr. and she sent me for a quantitative HcG today. I called to get my results this afternoon and the nurse asked me if it was a STAT test. I told her no, that the Dr. ordered a quantitative test and then she told me that with a quantitative HcG they wouldn't have my results for 3-5 days. Then she said that what they are looking for is an increase or decrease in the HcG level over time. Why would they need to do this when all my Dr. wanted to do was confirm the pregnancy? I'm really confused and frustrated right now...

[Tracylvn]

I do not work on OB. But I did have to have this test done with my 1st pregncancy and the DR. said that it was to make sure my HcG levels were rising. I had my period each month thorugh 1st trimester.
Is there a posibility they ordered the wrong test?

[WVUturtle514]

To be honest with you, yes, I believe the PA ordered the wrong test. They called me today and said that in order for this test to be valid that I was going to have to go back and get my blood redrawn to show that my levels are going up. But they said if I didn't want to do that, then I could just come back in next week and take a urine test. I'm really frustrated because I've taken 3 home tests and all of them have been positive. But they won't confirm the pregnancy from the quantitative test because I haven't had a second level drawn (even though the number from the first test was 221). Why is it that they will confirm the pregnancy from a urine test (which will detect a minimum HcG of 25-50 in order to be positive), but they won't confirm this test? I just don't get it.....

[Tracylvn]

I would say because of the type of test that was ordered. It is meant to be a comparison test so they do not want to confirm with out the second draw. Can't the Dr. order a stat HcG test. Why d othey want you to wait another week for a urnine test?

[WVUturtle514]

My name is Tracie too by the way

Well I'm not sure why she didn't order a stat test the first time. Apparently she made a mistake....so now instead of having this pregnancy confirmed, I have to either have my blood drawn again (without an order, so I doubt the lab will even do it), or wait another week to take a urine test. And I have absolutely no idea why she wants me to wait a week. I asked if I could come in at the end of this week and she said she would probably wait in order to let my Hcg numbers increase. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me considering I've had 3 positive home tests. Grrrrrr.....is pregnancy this frustrating the whole time???

[Tracylvn]

Nice to meet you Tracie.
I know it is frustrating. Hang in there it will get better, pregnancy can be frustrating and stressfull but not the whole time. In the end it is worth it. IMO Dr. offices do not want to do a urine test to soon as to avoid a false positive. But that doesn't make sense because you got the result of 221 from the 1st blood draw your level is up, I know the lab would not confirm because in thier eyes the test is not complete without the 2nd draw.

[cardiacRN2006]

First off, Congrats!!!

221 is indeed a positive pregnancy test! But to be sure, they want to make sure the number is rising, and not dropping, and make sure it's rising at the proper increments (doubling every 48-72 hours).

http://www.obfocus.com/questions/qanda7.htm



Congrats again!!

[WVUturtle514]

Thanks for the website cardiac! So I understand what the use of the quantitative HcG is, but from what I understand, this is not something that is normally ordered unless the practitioner suspects a problem. Now I realize that she apparently ordered the wrong test.....she should have ordered a stat Hcg....but even so, why can't they just take the 221 and say "hey, we know you're pregnant" and confirm it?

[cardiacRN2006]

Good question! Maybe it's just that specific practice that makes a point of getting 2 tests.

[Sweetooth EMT-P, RN]

HCG (Qualitative) only tells you whether you are pregnant or not


HCG QUantatative shows the amount of HCG in your blood, this tells the physician how far along you may be and if it is probably a healthy preganncy.


Sweetooth