Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): What Affects The Test
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What Affects the Test
Things that may affect the results of your test include:
- Doing a urine test for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) very early in pregnancy (during the first week after implantation) or on a urine sample taken in the middle of the day. The test may not always show an early pregnancy.
- HCG results may remain high (positive) for up to four weeks after a miscarriage (spontaneous abortion) or therapeutic abortion.
- Getting an injection of hCG to treat infertility. This may cause test results to appear high for several days after the injection.
- Having blood in the urine sample or soap in the collecting container, which may change the hCG level.
- Using diuretics and promethazine (such as Prorex, Phenergan, or Anergan). These medicines can cause false low hCG levels in urine test results.
- Using heparin, a medicine to prevent blood from clotting (anticoagulant)
- Using some medicines. These include hypnotics (such as Ambien), antipsychotics, and antinausea medicines (such as prochlorperazine and promethazine ). Be sure to tell your doctor what medicines you take.
| Last updated: | May 14, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Sandy Jocoy, RN |
| Reviewed By: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine, Siobhan M. Dolan, MD, MPH - Reproductive Genetics |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Tracy Landauer |
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