What Is Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (Beta hCG) and How to Use the Beta hCG Rapid Test Kit?
Appearing as soon as 10 days after conception, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is one of the primary indicators of a possible pregnancy. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is widely recognized as an excellent marker of pregnancy, given that it emerges in urine soon after conception and increases rapidly throughout the period of early gestational growth. Allowing the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine, rapid chromatographic immunoassay technology has become one of the most common, convenient, and affordable methods of pregnancy testing in the world. Read along to learn more about beta human chorionic gonadotropin (beta hCG), its production, function, and detection with the Beta hCG Rapid Test Kit.
What is Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (Beta hCG)?
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a reproductive hormone that enables the maternal recognition of pregnancy. It is initially produced by syncytiotrophoblast. Syncytiotrophoblast, or trophoblast cells in general, are a type of cells that surround and provide nutrients to a growing embryo. These cells ultimately develop into a large part of the placenta following implantation. Various endogenous forms of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) have different physiological functions, including regular hCG, hyperglycosylated hCG, and the free beta-subunit of hCG. The main function of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is to facilitate the maintenance of the corpus luteum for the maternal recognition of pregnancy at the early onset of pregnancy. Through its interaction with the LHCG receptor of the ovaries, the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) enables the corpus luteum to secrete progesterone throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. The secretion of progesterone leads to the development of a thick lining of blood vessels and capillaries, which supports the growth of the uterus and help sustain the growing fetus. In addition to this function, human chorionic gonadotropin also contributes to cellular differentiation, cellular proliferation, and the initiation of apoptosis.
When to Use the Beta hCG Rapid Test Kit?
The Beta hCG Rapid Test Kit is primarily intended to assist in early pregnancy detection. Thus, if you are experiencing signs that may be associated with pregnancy, such as missed periods, frequent urination, fatigue, breast tenderness, light cramping, nausea, spotting, and brown discharge, taking the Beta hCG Rapid Test Kit is recommended. In the case of pregnancy, the concentrations of beta human chorionic gonadotropin (beta hCG) exceed 100 mIU/mL by the first missed menstrual period and peak in the 100,000-200,000 mIU/mL range approximately 10 to 12 weeks into pregnancy.
Although human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is found in blood and urine during pregnancy, measuring its level can also aid in the diagnosis of certain cancers and paraneoplastic syndromes. While it is not yet known whether elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are a contributing factor or an effect of carcinogenesis, some cancerous tumors have been found to secrete this hormone, and higher levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) have been observed in some patients with testicular, ovarian, liver, stomach, and lung cancers.
What is the Beta hCG Rapid Test Kit?
The Beta hCG Rapid Test Kit is a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine to assist in early pregnancy detection. Coming in a lateral flow test format, the kit incorporates multiple sets of hCG-specific antibodies to detect elevated levels of hCG in the collected urine sample. When the strip is dipped into the collected urine sample, the specimen migrates via capillary flow along the membrane, reacts with hCG-specific antibodies, and forms a colored line in the assigned regions at the end of the strip. Procedural controls have also been incorporated to ensure proper testing procedures and functional reagents.
How to Use the Beta hCG Rapid Test Kit?
The test procedure requires the collection of a fresh urine specimen into a clean glass or plastic container. Although no special pre-treatment is needed, the test kit and the collected specimen should be at room temperature before initiating the test procedure. Once the test kit and the sample reach room temperature, the test strip is removed from its sealed pouch. Next, the strip is dipped into the collected urine sample as soon as possible after its removal from its package and kept there for a few seconds within the sample. Then, it is removed from the sample and laid on a clean, dry, and non-absorbent surface. At this point, you can wait for the colored lines to appear on the assigned area of the assay.
Although the reaction time may vary slightly depending on the concentration of beta human chorionic gonadotropin (Beta hCG) in the tested sample, the result should be ready to be interpreted in a few seconds to a few minutes. If both the test line (T) and the control line (C) appear on the assay within the specified reaction time, the test result is positive. If only the control line (C) is present, the test result is negative. The absence of the control line (C), however, indicates that the test result is invalid. Since the control line (C) represents the internal controls built into the assay, its absence may indicate an improper testing procedure or deterioration of reagents. In this case, the procedure should be repeated with a new test kit.
