All You Need to Know About The UPT

What is UPT?

If you are sexually active and want to confirm your pregnancy status, UPT can often be the first thing any person recommends. Well, what is UPT? The term UPT full form in medical text stands for the urine pregnancy test.

People often choose this method as they are reliable, inexpensive, and easy to use. A recent studies show that UPT provide nearly 99% accurate results, but of course, when used correctly. UPT (Urine Pregnancy Test) is a simple yet powerful diagnostic tool, which provides significant implications for women’s lives. They help by providing quick results to confirm pregnancy and start prenatal care, or make informed decisions, especially before taking specific medications.

This blog explains all you need to know about UPT in detail. So, let’s scroll down to learn more about it.

How does UPT work?

UPT works by providing positive or negative results as lines on a test strip. The two bold and clear lines on the strip indicate that the results are positive, meaning you are likely to be pregnant. The concept is vice versa when the strip shows only one bold line. A single line indicates the results are negative, meaning you are likely not to be pregnant.

hCG detection

The presence of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone in the woman’s body is a significant marker for pregnancy. UPT is designed in such a way to detect this hormone in the urine. The hormone starts to be secreted, and its levels rise once conception happens.

Chemical reaction

The UPT test strip is manufactured with a coating that has a network of antibodies to bind with the hCG hormone when its presence is highly specific. When the urine drops are applied to the strip, the liquid flows over it and reacts with the antibodies.

Visible result

The reaction of antibodies with the hCG hormone in the urine triggers the colour change. This can result in visible lines or a symbol indicating the pregnancy status.

How to Do the UPT Test?

Here’s how you can do the UPT test to get accurate results.

Read the instructions

Before doing the UPT test, read the instructions on the package carefully. This is because the instructions can vary widely between brands.

Urine Sample

You can do the test either by:

• dipping the test strip in the collected urine, or
• holding the strip in your urine stream, or
• placing a couple of urine drops in the strip.

Wait time

When done, place the test kit on a flat surface and wait for the specific time as instructed on the package. The results of the UPT test usually appear between 3 and 5 minutes.

Note: Read the results following the instructions. Reading it too early or too late can lead to an inaccurate outcome.

Interpreting the UPT Result

A UPT positive result is usually exhibited with two bold lines or just with a + symbol. On the other hand, a UPT negative result is shown with a single bold line or just with a – symbol.

What are the Types of UPT Test?

Urine pregnancy tests are often inexpensive and easy to use. They provide the most accurate results when used correctly.

There are several types of UPT tests. The main types may include:

Strip tests

• Strip tests work by dipping the test strip into the collected urine in a clean container.
• The result appears with a line.

Midstream tests

• Midstream tests work by holding the absorbent tip of the strip directly in your urine stream for at least 10 seconds.
• The result appears with a line or a symbol.

Cassette tests

• Cassette tests work by placing a few drops of urine in the dropper of the strip.
• They indicate the pregnancy status with lines.

Digital tests

• Digital UPT kit works by either holding the absorbent tip directly into your urine stream, or
• By dipping the strip into the collected urine.
• Holding the strip for at least 5 to 10 seconds to get accurate results is generally recommended.
• The result appears with a clear “pregnant” or “not pregnant” indication.

Early detection tests

• Early detection tests work by either holding the absorbent tip directly into your urine stream, or
• By dipping the strip into the collected urine.
• They are generally used to detect pregnancy even before missing a period.
• These tests are designed with a high sensitivity – meaning, they can identify lower levels of the hCG hormone.

When Do Physicians Suggest Taking the UPT Test?

Physicians may generally suggest a UPT test when a woman misses her period or experiences certain early pregnancy symptoms. However, the primary reasons for suggesting UPT may include:

Early pregnancy symptoms

As the UPT full form in pregnancy denotes a urine pregnancy test, it is mainly used for confirming the pregnancy. UPT is suggested particularly when a women experience symptoms like morning sickness, frequent urination, nausea, and breast tenderness along with a missed period.

Before certain treatments/procedures

UPT is suggested before doing some procedures like X-rays, certain surgeries, and medications as a safety measure. This is to avoid the harmful impacts on the developing embryo inside the uterus.

After Fertility Treatments

UPT is certainly suggested as an indicator to check the success of the fertility treatment. The test is generally taken under the doctor’s guidance about 10 to 14 days after the treatment.

Unusual bleeding

Sometimes a UPT is suggested to diagnose the cause of unusual vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain in the woman. An ectopic pregnancy or early miscarriage can be the potential cause of such occurrences. To determine this, your healthcare provider may suggest a UPT.

Irregular cycles

A urine pregnancy test may also be suggested for a woman with irregular periods. This is because pregnancy can still happen with irregular periods. This can help them to confirm it despite the inconsistent timing of her menstrual cycle.

Understanding the UPT Results

The following tabular column exhibits the detailed interpretation of UPT results.

The UPT positive means:

The UPT negative result means:

Important Considerations to Take Before Taking a UPT Test

Since the urine pregnancy test (UPT) is a simple diagnostic procedure, it requires only basic considerations to take. They may include:

• Check the kit: Before taking the test, ensuring that the package is not expired and undamaged is essential to get accurate results.
• Read instructions: Reading the instructions given on the package is important. This is because every brand has its own result interpretations along with slight procedural changes. Reading them before taking the test can largely help with accuracy and avoiding false results.
• Timing: Always consider taking the test after a day or two of your missed period. This is because the pregnancy hormone, hCG, is more likely to be at a detectable level at this time.
• Limit Fluid intake: Limiting the excessive intake of fluids right before the test can deliver inaccurate results. This is because excessive intake of fluid can dilute your urine, making it difficult to detect the hCG hormone in it.
• Collect supplies: Keep the essential supplies like gloves, a clean container, and the kit ready for the test.
• Wash Your Hands: Wash your hands and genitals thoroughly before the test to minimise contamination.
• Wait period: After exposing the strip to the urine, give it sufficient time, as instructed in the package, to get the accurate results. Reading it too early or too late can lead to inaccurate outcomes.

Summary

A UPT full form is a urine pregnancy test, which is a common and simple way to check the status of your pregnancy. The tool works by detecting the pregnancy hormone, hCG, in the body. People often choose UPT as it provides quick and 99% accurate results when used correctly.

If you are unsure of your UPT results, it is always best to consult a healthcare provider. They can help to confirm your pregnancy by doing blood tests or ultrasounds.

If you still have any concerns, having a consultation with experts at Aval Clinics is recommended. They can guide you.

Contact us today for expert advice and personalized care:

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