The Clinitest tablet method, a non-instrumental way to detect reducing substances like sugars in urine, was historically used for pregnancy testing by detecting the presence of glucose in urine, which can be elevated due to the presence of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). While manufactured by Siemens, this method is no longer recommended for pregnancy confirmation due to its lack of specificity for hCG and potential for false positives. Modern pregnancy tests utilize highly specific antibodies to directly detect hCG in urine, providing more accurate and reliable results.
The non-instrumented approach offered a readily available, low-cost option for initial screening before the advent of modern immunologic assays. This accessibility was particularly beneficial in resource-limited settings or for home use. However, the reliance on glucose detection rather than direct hCG measurement meant it was susceptible to interference from dietary sugars or certain medical conditions, leading to potential misinterpretations. The shift to more sophisticated, hCG-specific tests significantly improved diagnostic accuracy and reduced ambiguity.
