False Pregnancy Test Results- Your Questions Answered

What is the best time to test for pregnancy? And are pregnancy tests always accurate? Here are the answers to some of your questions. We can avoid false pregnancy test results, if we understand how pregnancy tests work. Pregnancy tests are sensitive to the hormone human chrorionic gonadotropin in your body. This hormone is a special hormone that is secreted only during pregnancy.

When is the Right Time to Take a Pregnancy Test

The hormone HCG is secreted only when the fertilized embryo attaches itself to the uterus wall. It takes some time for HCG to become detectable. About a week after your missed period is supposed to be the right time to take these tests.

When You may Get a False Negative Result

You will be able to use these pregnancy tests successfully, if you follow the instructions on the test kit properly. However sometimes, you may get a false negative, if you test for pregnancy too early or if you do not soak the test strip properly in the urine sample.

When You May Get a False Positive Result

Sometimes, you may also get a false pregnancy positive result. This may happen if you wait too long to read the strip results, due to which the strip will dry up and change color, and you will see a false positive result. You may also see a false positive, if you are on fertility treatment and taking HCG injections. There are also some very rare cancers that cause a false positive test result.

It is advisable to see a doctor, if you are already two weeks over due and your urine based test shows up false positive. The doctor will do a blood test. This test can detect far lower levels of HCG than a urine test and so there are fewer chances of the doctor’s test results showing false pregnancy.