There is significance to the levels of hCG sensitivity, because some home pregnancy tests can detect lower levels of hCG than others. This is the difference between the tests that can indicate pregnancy as soon as one day after a missed period, as opposed to those that can tell after you’re 7 days late.
In most cases, the sensitivity level won’t be outlined on the home pregnancy test packaging, so you’ll need to do a little research to find out which ones are capable of detecting the smallest amount of hCG.
Home hCG Detection Kits
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One of the first pregnancy tests on the market was the First Response Early Result. This test lives up to its name by being able to detect 12.5 mIU of hCG.
This means that you can take this test as early as the first missed day of your period. Since hCG levels double every 2 days, a test that can only detect 25 mIU of hCG would have to wait 2 more days to be taken.Another of the earliest pregnancy tests was Wal-Mart’s Equate brand. This is available in both the 25 mIU and the 100 mIU detectable amounts. The 25 mIU has a white cap and the 100 mIU has a purple cap, so to get the earliest pregnancy results you’ll want to be careful which one you pick up.
hCG Blood Tests
Of course, a blood test is the earliest pregnancy test that you can take. You will have to go to the doctor for this test, so your situation will determine how quickly you can have the test done. If visiting the doctor for a blood test isn’t feasible, the next best thing to do for the earliest pregnancy results is to purchase a kit that will detect the smallest amount of hCG.
If you do have a positive result, or you think that you may be pregnant, see your doctor right away.
Tagged with: pregnancy kit • pregnancy test
Filed under: Pregnancy