Pregnancy Urine Screen in Arizona

What this test measures

Human chorionic gonadotropin is produced after implantation and rises during early pregnancy. The hormone and its subunits are filtered into urine, where they can be detected with an immunoassay that uses antibodies specific to hCG. The laboratory reports whether hCG is present at or above the test's sensitivity threshold, giving a positive or negative result rather than an exact concentration.

The test requires only a urine sample, collected according to the laboratory's instructions. Detection depends on the timing of the sample relative to implantation and on the concentration of hCG, which increases as pregnancy progresses. Some assays recognize multiple forms of hCG, including intact hormone and the beta subunit, which affects their sensitivity.

People may order this test to confirm a suspected pregnancy, and healthcare providers often use it alongside a history and examination. When more precise information is needed, a quantitative blood test can measure the exact hCG level. A qualified healthcare provider should interpret the result and advise on any follow-up testing.