BHCG (beta HCG) is the name of a pregnancy test which checks the levels of the hormone HCG in the blood. HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin which stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin.
The HCG hormone is unique to pregnancy. It is produced after the embryo is fixed to the wall of the uterus. It is through the high concentration of this hormone in the blood and urine that pregnancy can be detected.
The function of HCG is to order the ovary to produce estrogen and progesterone, so that, when they reach the pituitary, it ceases the production of other hormones that stimulate ovulation. In this way, the menstrual cycle is suspended.
The result of the beta HCG test indicates whether the woman is pregnant (value greater than 50 mUl/mL) and what stage of pregnancy. When the dose of HCG present in the blood is less than 49.9 mIU/mL, the test should be repeated after two or three days for a conclusive examination.
The BHCG test is reliable and can only be done in a clinical laboratory. The most common pregnancy test is done using urine and can be performed at home.