How sensitive is
SureStep®
hCG?
SureStep® hCG is
sensitive to 25 mIU/ml hCG .
How accurate is the
test?
Surestep® hCG has
been shown to be > 99% accurate in clinical trials.
Can samples be
stored in the refrigerator / freezer?
Yes, they can
be stored for up to 48 hours between 2°C and 8°C or for longer term
storage samples can be stored frozen at -20°C. However, samples
must always be brought to room temperature prior to use.
How should
SureStep® hCG be
stored?
SureStep® hCG
should be stored between 2°C and 30°C. The tests can be stored in
the refrigerator, but should be allowed to reach room temperature
before use.
How soon can
SureStep® hCG be
used?
SureStep® hCG can
detect hCG in urine at concentrations = 25 mIU/ml. On the
first day of the missed period the level of hCG in the urine of a
pregnant woman is expected to exceed 100 mIU/ml. In a normal
pregnancy hCG can be detected in both urine and serum as early as 7
-10 days after conception. When testing before the period is
due positive results can be relied upon however, some of these
patients will go on to experience a loss of their early pregnancy
and in these cases further testing will result in negative results.
Negative results obtained when testing before the day of the
expected period may be because the patient is not pregnant or the
level of hormone may not yet be high enough to be detected.
When is the best time of
day to test?
It is possible to use
SureStep® hCG with a urine sample
collected at any time of day, however an early morning urine sample
will usually contain the highest level of hCG.
How critical is the timing and are
the results
stable?
SureStep® hCG
should be read 3 minutes after beginning the test, the device
should not be read after 10 minutes.
The Test
Line was fainter than the Control Line, what does this
mean?
The presence of any pink line in the Region T
on the test device indicates a positive result, regardless of its
intensity compared to the Control Line. If the Test Line is faint,
a repeat test is recommended with a fresh, early morning urine
sample 48 to 72 hours later.
The
Control Line has not appeared in the window, what does this
mean?
The test has not run. 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
excessive sample to the test.
Will
fertility drugs containing hCG 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 since the administration of
these drugs.
Does
the contraceptive pill or implant affect the
test?
No, but if a woman has recently discontinued
the use of the contraceptive pill or implant her period may not be
regular. In such cases we recommend testing 19 days after the last
unprotected sexual intercourse.