Pregnancy HCG Blood Test
A private quantitative hCG blood test that confirms pregnancy earlier and more precisely than a urine test, measuring the exact level of pregnancy hormone in your blood. £79 at one of 250+ Goodbody clinics or £99 with a nurse home visit, recommended from 10 days after a missed period. Results emailed in 3 to 5 working days with a GP report explaining what your hCG level means for your pregnancy.... Read more
A private quantitative hCG blood test that confirms pregnancy earlier and more precisely than a urine test, measuring the exact level of pregnancy hormone in your blood. £79 at one of 250+ Goodbody clinics or £99 with a nurse home visit, recommended from 10 days after a missed period. Results emailed in 3 to 5 working days with a GP report explaining what your hCG level means for your pregnancy.
Key facts
- Price: £79 at a Goodbody clinic; £99 with a nurse home visit
- Measures: quantitative serum beta-hCG, the exact level of pregnancy hormone rather than just positive or negative
- When to test: from 10 days after your missed period, when hCG is high enough for a dependable result and a meaningful number
- Fasting: not needed
- Results: emailed within 3 to 5 working days with a GP report
- Useful for: early confirmation, a number to compare against a second test 48 hours later, and written confirmation of pregnancy where needed
Your questions answered
How early can a blood test detect pregnancy?
Around 7 to 10 days after conception, which is several days before a missed period and earlier than most home urine tests. The blood test measures the actual amount of hCG, so it can pick up the low levels present in the first days after implantation. For a dependable result and a number that means something, we recommend taking this test from 10 days after your missed period; a negative result earlier than that may simply be too early, and a repeat will settle it.
Can a blood test detect pregnancy at 7 days?
Sometimes. Implantation happens 6 to 12 days after ovulation and hCG only enters the blood after that, so at 7 days past ovulation some pregnancies will show a detectable level and others will not yet. A positive result at 7 days is meaningful; a negative one is not conclusive. We recommend this test from 10 days after a missed period, when the answer is dependable and the hCG level is useful.
Is a blood test more accurate than a urine pregnancy test?
Yes, in two ways. It detects lower levels of hCG, so it works earlier, and it gives an exact number rather than a line. Urine tests are reliable from the day of a missed period if used correctly, but can be affected by dilute urine, reading them too early or too late, and user error. A quantitative blood test, analysed in an accredited laboratory, is the reference standard and is what clinics use to confirm and monitor early pregnancy.
What does my hCG level mean?
In a healthy early pregnancy hCG roughly doubles every 48 to 72 hours, from a few units per litre at implantation to thousands by the time a period is a week late, before peaking around weeks 8 to 11. A single level confirms pregnancy but cannot date it precisely, because the normal range at any week is very wide. Your GP report explains where your number sits and, where useful, suggests a repeat test 48 hours later so the rate of rise can be seen.
Can a routine blood test detect pregnancy?
Not usually. Standard blood tests for cholesterol, blood count or thyroid do not include hCG, so pregnancy will not show up unless it is specifically requested. Some routine results, such as a slightly raised white cell count or lower iron, can change in pregnancy but are not a test for it. If you want to know, hCG has to be measured directly.
Where can I get a pregnancy blood test?
GPs do not routinely offer blood tests to confirm pregnancy; the NHS relies on a urine test and reserves blood hCG for specific concerns. Privately, you can book a quantitative hCG blood test at one of 250+ Goodbody clinics across the UK, or have a nurse take the sample at home. No referral is needed. Find your nearest clinic.
How long does a pregnancy blood test take?
The sample takes a few minutes at your appointment. Your result and GP report are emailed within 3 to 5 working days of the sample reaching the laboratory. If you need a result faster for a medical reason, such as bleeding or pain in early pregnancy, contact your GP or NHS 111 rather than waiting for a private result.
Can a pregnancy blood test be wrong?
Rarely. A false negative happens when the test is done too early, before hCG has risen enough, and is resolved by retesting a few days later. False positives are very uncommon and can follow a recent pregnancy loss, fertility treatment containing hCG, or occasionally certain medical conditions. A low or slowly rising hCG on repeat testing can indicate a pregnancy that is not progressing normally, and your GP report will explain when to seek care.
Do I need to fast or prepare for the test?
No. Eat and drink as normal. There is no best time of day, and the contraceptive pill or other medication does not affect hCG. Bring the date of your last period and, if you know it, the likely date of conception, so the report can put your result in context.
Can this test tell me how many weeks pregnant I am, or if it is twins?
Not reliably. hCG rises quickly in early pregnancy and the normal range at any given week overlaps hugely between individuals, so the level cannot date a pregnancy or confirm twins, although very high levels are more common with multiples. Dating is done by ultrasound. What the number can do is confirm pregnancy early and, with a second test 48 hours later, show that it is rising as expected.
How much does a private pregnancy blood test cost?
£79 at one of 250+ Goodbody clinics across the UK, or £99 with a nurse home visit, including laboratory analysis and a GP report. Many people book two tests 48 hours apart to see the rate of rise; if you plan to, book both appointments together.
Can I also find out the baby's sex?
Not from this test, but our Early Baby Gender Blood Test looks for Y-chromosome DNA in your blood from 6 weeks of pregnancy and is 99.9 percent accurate. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, it can be booked separately at the same clinics.
What happens next
Your results and GP report are emailed to you within 3 to 5 working days of your sample reaching the laboratory. The report explains each marker in plain language, flags anything outside the reference range and says what to do next, including when to take the result to your own GP. All samples are analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory.
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What biomarkers do we test?
How our tests work
Book online...
Book online, receive your kit and take to your local Goodbody clinic.
Send it back…
Send your sample in the post to be analysed at an accredited laboratory.
Get results.
Get your comprehensive detailed results report from the laboratory, with guidance from our support team.
Available testing locations for Pregnancy HCG Blood Test
Aberdeen Clinic GCI Advanced Aesthetics
Abergavenny Clinic Amatsu Centre
Airdrie Clinic Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy
Aldershot Clinic Wellington Pharmacy
Alton Clinic Four Marks Pharmacy
Andover Clinic Dr Malaika Clinics
Anniesland Clinic Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy
Arlesey Clinic Waterloo Farm Wellness
Armadale Clinic Dears Pharmacy
Ascot Clinic Ascot Pharmacy
AshbyDeLaZouch Clinic Aeternum Aesthetics
Ashford Clinic Breakspear Pharmacy
Aveley Clinic Doctor B Aesthetics
Aylesbury Clinic Aura Body Clinic
Aylesbury Clinic Pearlfect Care Pharmacy
Aylsham Clinic North Norfolk Ear & Skin Care
Ballingry Clinic
Barnet Clinic Co Wellbeing
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More Information
How our blood tests work
Have your blood taken in-clinic by one of our skilled phlebotomists and check multiple biomarkers in one go. Many of our tests can also be done in the comfort of your own home with one of our easy-to-use test kits.
Testing
Take a test, either in the comfort of your own home, with a nurse visit, or at one of our clinics nationwide.
Analysis
Your sample is analysed in the clinic, laboratory or using your home test equipment.
Results
Get your comprehensive detailed results report from the laboratory.
Not sure if this test
is right for you?
Enquire via the form and a member of our team will get back to you, they are more than happy to help answer your questions and talk through the best option for you.
Contact us if you aren't sure, we'd be happy to help!
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Experts you can trust
Meet our Goodbody Experts
Our team of professionals has decades of experience so you can be sure you’re getting the best tests and support to understand and improve your health.
Get in touch with Our Team
Dr Lebeth Jacob
BSc (Hons) MBChB
Registered GP & Lead Medical Advisor
Dr Alexandre Akoulitchev
MA, PhD, FRSM
Clinical Support Advisor
Dr Cheng Boon
MBCHB, MRCP, FRCR
Consultant Oncologist
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