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From Apply Now, former About.com Guide

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

ENCYCLOPEDIA INDEX

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HCG - qualitative - urine

Overview Risks Results

Alternative Names:

Beta-HCG - qualitative - urine

What the risks are:

There are essentially no risks (except for "false positive" or "false negative" results).

Special considerations:

False positive tests may occur when certain hormones are increased, such as after menopause when taking hormone supplements.

Incorrect (false positive or false negative) results may occur with:

blood in the urine
protein in the urine
use of tranquilizer medications (e.g., Compazine, Thorazine)
use of penicillin or methadone
urinary tract infections
hepatitis

A pregnancy test, including home pregnancy test when properly performed, is considered to be about 98% accurate. "Positive" results are more likely to be accurate than "negative" results. When the test is negative but pregnancy is still suspected, the test should be repeated in 1 week.

Female urinary tract

Male urinary tract

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