Hi emma
Congrats on your pregnancy!
I had blood tests last week (admittedly i did not know exactly what for save for iron studies as i have an iron loading disorder and wanted to know how high my iron levels were to ascertain which vitamin supplement I can take). Subsequent to my having the test after reading the posts on this forum I assumed it would include a test for HCG levels.
I went back to dr last night to receive results, she had not tested for HCG levels. I queried why and she too said she would like to wait a few weeks to test the levels, i go back for another round just before i see my ob for first appointment on 13 December.
I (again) asked whether the home tests I took and the urine test she took (3, tests in all, all positive) were reliable enough and she indicated that they were!
Don't know that my response really answers your question.
Good luck.
Cheerio
Belinda.