Testing out trigger?

Question

I’ve read this a few times but could someone explain this to me? Are ladies taking a trigger shot prior to transfer? Or is this the retrieval trigger shot being referred too? I had my transfer on Friday (Nov 6), and go for my blood test on the 17th. I will likely get a call with results while I’m at work, so wanted to test a day or two before so I can prepare myself. But, wanted to figure this “testing out the trigger” out. 
Thanks! Good luck to all on this journey!

Answer

It depends on the protocol but fresh transfers do (usually) have HCG triggers as they are right after retreival. Some FET protocols also call for a trigger shot. Plot twist: there's also an HCG wash women can add on in which a trigger is injected into the uterus to promote implantation. 
HCG, like all other meds, have whats called a terminal half life. What that means is that there is an initial depletion rate, and then the rest drops by 50% per the drugs half life. Most HCG triggers have a 23-29 hour half life. So if you get 10k of HCG and the half life is 24 hours then the shot (not including the initial depletion drop off) then the HCG level present 10 days after trigger is ~10 (over the 5 and in the grey area of pregnant and may show up on pregnancy tests). The caveat is that half life is never accurate and depends on how your body metabolizes it. 
So, to test the trigger out, just take a test a few days post transfer to confirm a negative. That way if you do test positive you know its 100% pregnancy and not the trigger shot. If you test positive, keep testing to ensure its gets darker. If it gets lighter, don't get discouraged. It could mean that you still had some lingering trigger shot and that your body isn't producing a high enough level yet.

Testing out trigger?

Let’s Glow

Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy

25+ million

4.8 stars

20+

Getting Pregnant

Pregnancy

1st Year (Baby & You)

Baby Products