Even though patience is a virtue there are times when we just can't wait. Or we feel like we can't anyway. If you are in need of the earliest pregnancy test possible there are a few things you should understand. The home pregnancy test kits you can buy off the shelf measure one thing and that's the pregnancy hormone, hCG. The placenta produces this hormone and the longer you are pregnant, the more of the hormone there is, up to a point at least.

HCG Sensitivity

The significance of hCG sensitivity is that some home pregnancy tests detect lower levels of hCG than others and that is what the difference between the tests that can tell if you're pregnant after your period is one day late versus the tests that can tell after you're 7 days late.

The outside of the home pregnancy test box isn't going to tell you this juicy little secret so you'll have to do a little research to find out which ones are capable of detecting the smallest amount of hCG.

Examples

One of the earliest pregnancy tests on the market is the First Response Early Result, a test that lives up to its name by being able to detect 12.5 mIU of hCG. What this means to you is that you can take this test as early as the first missed day of your period. Since these levels double every 2 days, a test that can only detect 25 mIU of hCG would have to wait 2 more days to be taken.

Another of the earliest pregnancy tests on the market is Wal-Mart's Equate brand which comes in both the 25 mIU and the 100 mIU detectable amounts. The 25 mIU has a white cap and the 100 mIU has a purple cap so if you want the earliest pregnancy test you want to be especially careful which one you pick up.

Blood Test

The earliest pregnancy test overall of course, is a blood test and since you have to go to the doctor for that it will just depend on your situation. If going to the doctor for a blood test isn't feasible then the next best thing to do for the earliest pregnancy test is to purchase a kit that will detect the smallest amount of hCG.

It is important however that you see your doctor as soon as possible if you are pregnant or think you might be.

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