When can hCG be detected in serum after conception?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced by the placenta shortly after implantation. Following conception and fertilization of the egg, the fertilized egg travels down the fallopian tube and into the uterus, where it embeds itself into the uterine lining. This implantation typically occurs about 6 to 10 days after conception.

hCG can be detected in the serum around the time that implantation takes place. It usually becomes detectable in the blood approximately 6 to 11 days after conception. This is the time frame when the body starts producing elevated levels of hCG, which is crucial for maintaining the early stages of pregnancy.

Therefore, the option indicating 6-11 days accurately reflects the period post-conception when hCG levels can first be measured in serum, making it the correct answer. Understanding this timeline is essential for practitioners to interpret early pregnancy tests and manage patient care during the early stages of pregnancy.