Re: Pregnancy test

Posted By hfhs.md.rcs on July 07, 1998 at 20:30:31:

In Reply to: Pregnancy test posted by Robbie on July 06, 1998 at 19:56:37:






Hi
I probably have a stupid question but here goes.  I recently had a
miscarriage about a month ago.  I took a pregnancy test  there was a faint
test line.  Is that the hcg hormone left over from my miscarriage?
Dear Robbie:
The hCG from a miscarriage can take 6 weeks to clear from the body. Thus, it is possible, one month following miscarriage, that a home pregnancy test would give a continuing positive reaction.
A blood pregnancy test can be quantified (an actual number rather than a simple positive or negative) and the trend in the level of hormone can help us know that this is the end of the miscarrige as opposed to the beginning of a new pregnancy, conceived from the first ovulation after miscarriage and before the first menstrual period after miscarriage.
I ask patients to use a barrier contraceptive from after miscarriage until they have the first normal menstrual period, in part to avoid this confusing possibility.
Keywords: miscarriage, hCG
This material is provided for information purposes and is not a formal medical consultation. If your have specific questions, please contact your primary physician.