Pregnancy - Quantitative Blood Test

[WDWorBUST]

Does anyone know how early you can get reliable results from a quantitative blood test. I have a prescription I need to start taking (the sooner the better), but I need to know for sure I'm not pregnant before starting it. So....how many days past ovulation can you get a reliable result??

 

[lemondog]

I would say about 7-10 days post ovulation before you start seeing the low numbers. You have to give the embryo time to implant and start churning out the hcg. Anything over 5, I think, is considered positive. I know when I had a quant. beta at 15 days past ovulation my number was already 1,699. The nurse told me she was willing to bet there was more than one in there...she was right!

 

[WDWorBUST]

Well my lab slip is ready to be picked up and my doctor knows that I'm either 7 or 9 dpo tomorrow and told me to go ahead and go and he should know.....I just don't want to start taking it only to find out later that I am.

 

[christym]

You're probably ok. The quantitative tests are measuring the specific numbers and if they pick up an actual value they'll probably have you wait a few days just to make sure. 5 is considered a maybe at my RE's clinic where they would retest and that number can be picked up almost immediately after implantation. I would trust your doctor though.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Well this was my PCP and when I called I asked about it and they just said to come pick up the lab slip. I had to ask how soon it could register reliably because I didn't want to waste resources if it wouldn't be conclusive anyway. However, I think I had an implantation dip yesterday (of course you get those when you aren't pregnant too), but it does give me reason to believe that there might be enough to test reliabily if I am. I plan on going tomorrow and hopefully have results Monday. The medication I will be taking isn't a cause for extreme concern.....it just hasn't been proven unquestionably safe and since having a miscarriage in April I am overly paranoid and cautious.

 

[christym]

I completely understand. I hope you get some good results (however you're hoping for them to come out)!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Pretty much after you get a BFP (with a HPT which are sensitive from 20-100mcg of Hcg).

But you need to do it twice. The Beta number you get on one draw is insignificant. It is the doubling rate, so you will need a 2nd test 2-3 days later. And the numbers can actually start out pretty low as well. That too is insigificant as long as the amount is doubling in 2-3 days.

Implantation can take anywhere from 6dpo to 12dpo--so the only problem with doing it now is that the little bean may not have implanted, yet and you might cause undue worry.

I had a loss as well--so I completely understand. I was pregnant on the next cycle but was not at home for the summer. I was able to go to a walk in clinic and get it done. (Called and asked and no prescription was required.) I think I was probably 5 weeks though. I think I did it within a week of my BFP, but I do not recall.)

Best of luck!