What does the "hCG" test commonly check for?

The "hCG" test is commonly used to check for pregnancy because it measures the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a person's blood or urine. hCG is a hormone produced by the placenta shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. Its presence in the bloodstream is one of the earliest indicators of pregnancy, typically detectable about a week after conception. The test is a vital tool in confirming pregnancy because elevated hCG levels correlate with gestation.

In contrast, other choices focus on different medical conditions. The test for diabetes usually involves measuring glucose levels rather than hCG. Anemia testing looks at the levels of hemoglobin or red blood cells, not hCG. Similarly, assessing electrolyte levels involves testing for minerals in the body, such as sodium or potassium, which do not relate to hCG at all. Understanding the specific role of hCG clarifies why this test is primarily associated with pregnancy detection.