Confused!! Qualitative and Quantitative Blood Tests.

[Julz34]

Does anyone know the REAL definition??

I called my Dr, and the nurse didn't even know. I call two labs and they give me two different answers!! How can this be??

I know that the Qualitative simply says yes or no, but how far along do you have to be is the question?? One lab says it will pick up when it's 4. And if it's 4 or above it will say positive. Another lab says they're not sure but anything under a 5 usually is a negative.

Then in the same sentence the one lab tells me that with the qualitative it's better to get if you're early pregnant which I am (9 dpo)....but what's the point in all of that IF the qualitative is going to tell me at a 4?? Even at 8 dpo, which I would've have been yesterday, don't you think that would show atleast a 4?

I've had kids but haven't been through this part. It's hard to understand. I mean they say the baby can implant between 7-12 days after fertilization. So what if it hasn't implanted yet?? And if it did on the 7th day and then what would the hcg be 24 hours later at 8 dpo? I know that varies. But GOSH this is aggravating!

I just need answers =( No one ever seems to be able to give a straight answer anymore.

I have all the signs of pregnancy, which my OB assures me can happen before your body puts of HCG, just due to the hormone change since you conceived.

Wow.... how confusing!!

[Julz34]

Thanks ladies.

I tried to get her to do a quantitative and she won't do it. She says I'm not pregnant and that's that! But I have four children, I think I know pregnancy symptoms by now =p. Yes, I know something else could be going on, it's a possibility, but still she should do the quantitative especially since I'm so sick=/ I'm getting ready to switch Dr's, I've had nothing but bad news from this new Dr.

This is just horrible to wait. And as far as testing 4 days before a missed period, mine have never shown early with other pregnancies, but maybe this one will! I have one awating for Thursday morning, which will make me 10-11 dpo, hopefully it will show. If not I will test on Saturday =)

[keri3]

hi julz the qualitative blood test just basically tells you if you are pregnant or not yes or no. under 5 usually shows up negative, above comes up positive. keep yourself from getting pricked, waste of time a home test can tell you a week before a period. if you are pregnant the home test usually comes up positive 4 days before a period. the quantative is the good one. it tells you how much hcg is in your blood. the hcg needs to double every 48 to be a viable pregnancy. i think the qualatative test is a waste of time. i'd only worry about the quantative test. thats the important one. i was three weeks pregnant and my first hcg was 111. i had to get blood work every 48 hrs. for two weeks. only because i had a miscarriage back in june. and was real worried with this new pregnancy. once you hit above 2000 i think i was told you can see something on transvaginal us. which they did for me, my numbers hit 2260 in the beginning of my fifth week. i hope this helps a lil. ask your doc to send you for quantatative tests. it also helps to see if the pregnancy is going to be viable and approx. how far you are. no matter how early you are. look up hcg charts i believe they start at three weeks. good luck to you  :)

[mandy29]

Yeah, the quanititative shows the exact number of HCG in your blood, and the qualitative just tells you whether it detected any HCG in your blood or not. I would reccomend getting the quant done if your doc will order it, because If you have less than 5 then it means not pregnant, and anything over 5 is considered that you're likely pregnant, but not for sure, and 25 and up is def pregnant. Good luck and I hope this helps!!!

[Julz34]

Sorry I meant what would be the point in a quantitative test if the qualitative shows as low as 4?? What's the point in getting that test to determine the amout of HCG if basically the qualitative would pick up something that low. Sorry I know I'm probably confusing right now, just getting depressed here =(