What is an LSUP, and What Do I Do if It's Positive? – Aunty Jane

A Low Sensitivity Urine Pregnancy (LSUP) test is an important follow-up tool used to confirm that a medical abortion has been successful. It measures the level of pregnancy hormone (hCG) in your body, which decreases as the pregnancy resolves.
What is an LSUP?An LSUP is designed to detect levels of hCG above 1000. A store brought pregnancy test (called a HSUP) is designed to detect levels of hCG above 25.
You will typically use this test 20 days after taking mifepristone (Step 1) as part of your follow-up care.
If the hCG level is below the threshold, the abortion is considered complete & successful.
Pregnancy tissue makes pregnancy hormone not the pregnancy itself.
How to Perform the Test:Use the LSUP test provided in your care package.
Follow the instructions included, which are similar to standard pregnancy tests.
Record your result as positive or negative and share it with your healthcare provider at the time of your 21- Day Post Consultation.
What Does a Positive LSUP Mean?A positive LSUP does not necessarily indicate a failed abortion. Here are potential reasons:

Continuing Pregnancy (1%):
In rare cases, the abortion may not terminate the pregnancy.
Further evaluation and potentially another medical or surgical abortion are necessary.


Retained Pregnancy Tissue (4%):
Small amounts of tissue may remain, producing hCG (the hormone detected by pregnancy tests).
This is often resolved with additional medication or a minor surgical procedure.


Slow Decline of hCG:
Everyone’s body processes hCG differently, and it may take time for levels to drop completely.

What to Do If It’s Positive:
Discuss with Aunty Jane:
Report the result to Aunty Jane at the time of your 21- Day Post Consultation.


Follow-Up Assessment:
If positive Aunty Jane will recommend a follow up blood test. An ultrasound may be recommended if clinically necessary.


Treatment Options:
After further testing and depending on the reason (continuing pregnancy vs retained pregnancy tissue), conservative management, repeat misoprostol or a minor surgical procedure called a D&C (where a doctor gently removes any remaining tissue from the uterus) may be needed.

What Does a Negative LSUP Mean?A negative result indicates that your hCG levels (the hormone detected by pregnancy tests) have dropped below the detection threshold, confirming that the abortion is complete.
Tips for Accurate Testing:Only read to LSUP between 5-10 minutes as reading it outside this may result in a false positive (due to the evaporation line).
Avoid taking the LSUP test too early, as your hCG levels may still be high shortly after the abortion.
Follow the test instructions carefully and perform it on the day advised by your provider.
The LSUP test is a key part of ensuring your medical abortion is complete and your recovery is progressing as expected. If you have any questions or concerns about your test result, contact Aunty Jane.
The information provided on this website by Aunty Jane in any format or medium, are for general information purposes only and are not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. The information made available by Aunty Jane do not provide personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To the extent permitted by law, Aunty Jane disclaims all liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information provided. For specific medical concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Marie Stopes International Australia. "Follow-Up Care and LSUP Testing After a Medical Abortion." Accessed at https://www.msiaustralia.org.au/medical-abortion-follow-up.
Family Planning NSW. "Medical Abortion: Post-Abortion Care." Accessed at https://www.fpnsw.org.au/factsheets/individuals/abortion/medical-abortion-information.
National Abortion Federation (NAF). "Guidelines for LSUP Testing and Post-Abortion Assessment." Accessed at https://prochoice.org/resources/clinical-policy-guidelines/.
HealthDirect Australia. "Follow-Up Care After Medical Abortion: LSUP Testing." Accessed at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/abortion-aftercare.