Sensitivity Detection Levels for Human hCG Hormone
One-Step Pregnancy Tests • Brand Comparison Chart

For many women, early detection of pregnancy is desired. Clearly, the more sensitive a pregnancy test is to detecting hCG levels post fertilization, the earlier a preliminary diagnosis of pregnancy can be obtained. Virtually all one-step "at home" pregnancy tests employ the same technology in test construction and scientific principle; a lateral flow immunoassay in which hormone specific antibodies bind with a pretreated colloidal gold precipitate impregnated within the test panel to form a visible line on the test panel of the device.

All pregnancy test kits are not, however, produced with the same sensitivity level at which hCG hormone can be detected. The reasons for this are primarily production cost related having to do, in part, with the amount of colloidal gold incorporated into the test. Below is a table listing many brands of professional and over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy test kits and the sensitivity hCG detection level indicated either in package instructions or registration documents. See chart on hCG Hormone Increase during pregnancy.

Note: While believed accurate at the time of publishing, this information is subject to review and updating. Craig Medical Distribution offers this data as information only and makes no claim as to it's accuracy or reliability.