Is it accurate to have a blood hCG test five days after a missed period and get a negative result?

Patient's question:

No

Doctor's answer:

After a one-week delay in the menstrual cycle, an early pregnancy test can be used to detect it. Two red lines appearing on the test paper indicate a positive result, meaning pregnancy; alternatively, you can go to the hospital to have a blood test to measure human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for a definitive confirmation of pregnancy.