How sensitive is
TestPack hCG Urine?
TestPack hCG Urine is sensitive to 25 mIU/ml hCG in
urine.
How accurate is the test?
TestPack hCG Urine has been shown to be > 99%
accurate in clinical trials.
Can urine samples
be stored in the fridge/ freezer?
Yes, they can
be stored for up to 48 hours between 2 - 8°C or up to 3 months
if frozen at -20°C. However, samples must always be brought to room
temperature prior to use.
Can the test be
used directly from the fridge?
No. Although the kit
can be stored at 2 - 30°C, it must be allowed to equilibrate at 18
- 30°C for a minimum of 30 minutes before use.
Do urine samples need
to be collected in containers containing
preservatives?
No. You do not need to add
preservatives to the urine sample. If you want to use a
preservative TestPack hCG Urine has only been
validated for use with samples containing 0.1% sodium azide.
How soon can
TestPack hCG Urine be used?
TestPack hCG Urine can detect hCG in urine at
concentrations ≥ 25 mIU/ml. On the first day of the expected
period the level of hCG in the urine of a pregnant woman is
expected to range between 50 – 250 mIU/ml.
When is the best time of
day to test?
It is possible to use
TestPack hCG Urine with a urine sample
collected at any time of day, however a first morning urine sample
will usually contain the highest level of hCG.
How do I
know when the result is ready to read?
The result
must be read as soon as the red colour is visible in the End of
Assay Window, after which time the test should be discarded.
The Patient Bar is very faint,
what does this mean?
Samples containing 5 -
25mIU/ml hCG may produce weak positive results. In such cases a
repeat test is recommended 48 to 72 hours later. However, provided
the Minus Bar (-) is present a weak positive should be recorded as
a valid positive result.
Sometimes the
Patient Bar can be fainter or darker than the Minus Bar. How should
this result be interpreted?
The presence of the
Patient Bar in the Result Window indicates a positive result,
regardless of its intensity compared to the Minus Bar, providing
the result is read as soon as the red colour became visible in the
End of Assay window.
What is
the purpose of the Positive On Board Control?
The
Positive On Board Control demonstrates the functionality of the
antibodies that detect hCG. It will always be produced in a valid
test whether or not hCG is present in the sample.
No Minus
Bar has appeared in the Result Window, what does this
mean?
The test has not run correctly. This may occur
if the pouch has been opened for too long prior to the test being
carried out. It could also be a consequence of adding insufficient
or excess sample to the test.
Will fertility
drugs affect the test result?
Fertility drugs
containing hCG can give misleading results. We recommend that a
pregnancy test is not carried out until at least 14 days have
passed since the administration of these drugs. Testing too soon
may give a false positive result.
Do hormonal
contraceptives affect the test?
No. However if a
woman has recently discontinued the use of hormonal
contraceptives her periods may not be regular. In such cases we
recommend testing 19 days after the last unprotected sexual
intercourse.
Can TestPack hCG Urine
be used to detect ectopic pregnancy?
TestPack hCG Urine can be a useful aid in the
diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, although it cannot distinguish
ectopic pregnancies from normal pregnancies, and since ectopic
pregnancies may produce lower levels of hCG than normal
pregnancies, a positive result may not be seen as early.
If an ectopic pregnancy is suspected, it should always be followed
up with a suitable confirmatory method.