Blood Drug Testing

What is the difference between the types blood tests?

I went to get my 2nd blood test done today, because i have not reached menses since 08-08-08 (and everything keeps coming back negative, but they say to come in every two weeks unless you reach menses) and i asked them how they determine the results. If they use the quantitative method or what method they use. They told me Qual. i am not sure what the abbreviation means or anything. So if you know could any one could tell me while i sit here waiting for the phone call. so when they use the qualitative method, then they are looking for anything above a 5? or they are just looking for any?

Public Comments

1. The qualitative determines whether or not any pregnancy hormone is present while the quantitative determines how much is present. They normally use the first to figure whether or not you're pregnant. ETA: Here's a website about HCG: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/duringpregnancy/hcglevels.html
2. 'Qual' is for qualitative which means a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer. Pregnant or not pregnant. Quantitative tests tell you the actual level of the pregnancy hormone in your blood. If it's above 5 then you're pregnant.
3. Qualitive is the simple urine test used to determine if HCG is present in your urine. It only detects if there is ANY hcg present. Not how much is actually there. If the QUAL comes back negative, it usually means there is less than 5m/IU. If positive it is greater than that, obviously.
4. qual= hcg total qualitative which can be blood or urine test, which it shows either positive or negative as the result. No #'s. Quan= Quantitative is blood & it gives #'s <5 is non pregnant or premenopausal > then 5 is usually pregnant & will go up per week. I know when i was pregnant they told me it's supposed to double each week.
5. The lab would be using an HCG Qual test which is definitive if you are pregnant or not pregnant and much more accurate than the over the counter drugstore kits. There is no way that you are pregnant if you haven't had your period since August 8 and the test keeps coming back negative. At this point they should be coming back positive if you were indeed pregnant. You should however keep going back as if you're not reaching menses then it could be something else.