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The hCG report shows serum qual present. What does this indicate?

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Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

What does hCG serum qual present mean?

Please suggest.

Answered by Dr. Rashi Verma

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and understand your concern.

There are two types of tests to check for pregnancy. Serum beta hCG qualitative test and beta hCG quantitative test. The qualitative test detects whether beta hCG is present or not. It can detect beta hCG more than 25 mIU/ml. The quantitative test detects how much beta hCG is present. It can detect beta hCG as low as 1 mIU/ml.

The result interpretation for the qualitative beta hCG test is as follows. If the result comes as positive (present), it means you are pregnant. If the result comes as negative, it means there is no pregnancy.

Beta hCG is also raised in certain other conditions, like ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, molar pregnancy, and certain tumors. However, these are associated with other complaints such as pain in the abdomen, irregular periods or bleeding, and so on.

Sometimes, false positive tests may occur when certain hormones are increased, such as after menopause or when taking hormone supplements. When the test is negative, but pregnancy is still suspected, the test should be repeated in one week.

When the test comes as positive, a person needs to go to an obstetrician and gynecologist who would evaluate the woman further. Ultrasound is also done to confirm the pregnancy.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answered byDr. Rashi Verma

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At March 11, 2016
Reviewed AtFebruary 9, 2026

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