Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is only produced by pregnant women, according to the American Pregnancy Association. The hormone hCG begins to be produced as soon as an egg becomes fertilized with sperm, so only pregnant women can produce hCG. The levels of hCG have a significance when it comes to pregnancy.
History
At the moment of conception, hCG begins to be produced. The cells that form the placenta are what actually produces hCG, according to the American Pregnancy Association, and provides nourishment to the fertilized egg. The federal Women's Health website refers to hCG as the "pregnancy hormone."
Significance
Since only pregnant women produce hCG, pregnancy tests are designed to detect the presence of hCG. If a pregnancy test detects hCG, that means the woman is pregnant and will give a positive test result. If a woman who is not pregnant takes a pregnancy test, no hCG levels are detected, and a negative test result is given. Testing methods can include blood or urine specimens to detect the presence of the hormone hCG.
Time Frame
While your body begins to produce hCG at the time of conception, blood testing usually can't pick up hCG levels until about 11 days after conception, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Urine tests typically will not detect hCG levels until around the 14th day after conception. Generally, hCG levels will double approximately every 72 hours. The first few days or weeks you are pregnant, the levels are so low that they are undetectable.
Features
Your doctor can measure hCG levels in two different ways. Qualitative testing will tell your doctor whether the hormone is present--revealing a "yes" or "no" result on an at-home pregnancy test. Quantitative testing will tell your doctor how much of the hormone is present and provide numbers. The level of hCG will progress each day you are pregnant. Typically, hCG levels will peak within the first eight to 11 weeks, according to the American Pregnancy Association. After 11 weeks, hCG levels normally decline and then level off for the duration of your pregnancy.
Considerations
When determining whether you are expecting, consider asking your doctor to perform a blood test. Blood testing is more accurate than urine testing, and you will see pregnancy results earlier than you will when you take a traditional urine test. If you're unsure of your last menstrual cycle, the level of hCG detected from your specimen can help your doctor better determine your estimated due date.
