HCG Combo The LiveSureTM HCG Rapid Test is designed to detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in human urine or serum specimens.  HCG is a glycoprotein hormone secreted by the developing placenta shortly after fertilization.  HCG levels increase throughout the first trimester of pregnancy and then fall off.  HCG can be detected in urine as early as the first day of a missed menstrual cycle.  Thus, it is a reliable marker for the early detection of pregnancy.  The LiveSureTM HCG Rapid Test is a non-competitive, two-site sandwich immunoassay designed to detect the presence of HCG at a concentration of 20 mIU/ml or greater within five minutes.