What is hCG?
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that is produced by the placenta of a pregnant woman. It is detectable in the blood and urine within 10 days of fertilization and hence forms the basis of all pregnancy tests. Because human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by the placenta, the presence of HCG in a woman's blood indicates that she is most probably pregnant. A pregnancy blood test or a pregnancy serum test measures the exact amount of the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), in the bloodstream.
After the fertilized egg implants, or attaches, to the inside of the uterus or other structure inside the mother, the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) rise rapidly. The levels continue to increase throughout the first trimester of pregnancy and reach a peak 60 to 80 days after the fertilized egg implants. If you suspect any symptoms of pregnancy like delayed menstrual period, breast tenderness, pelvic pain, and irregular spotting or vomiting, you must get a pregnancy blood test done to confirm or rule out pregnancy.
keep it refrigerated[/QUOTE]