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Pregnancy Test Faint Lines and Evaporation Lines
The Two Big Pregnancy Test Questions:
1) How Early Can I Test for Pregnancy?
2) What Does a Faint Line Mean on a Pregnancy Test?
How Early Can I Test for Pregnancy?
One question women frequently ask when trying to conceive is: How long do I have to wait before I can take a pregnancy test? Though hCG is produced at different rates in different women, there are general timelines for deciding when to test. However, when testing on the early side, do not rely on one test for conclusive results - especially a negative result: the hCG threshold for displaying a positive result on a home pregnancy test may not yet have been reached.
Early Detection Pregnancy Tests
When a woman becomes pregnant, the amount of hCG in her system should be around 25 mIU at 10 dpo (days past ovulation), 50 mIU at 12 dpo, 100 mIU at around two weeks dpo (these are averages that may deviate among different women). Test sensitivity equates with early-detection - and the lower the number, the sooner a test can detect pregnancy. At 20 MIU test sensitivity, you can begin testing at 7-10 days post ovulation, though the earlier you begin testing, the higher chance you have of getting a false negative. Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com carries early-detection pregnancy tests capable of detecting just 20 miu/ml hcg.
Here, implantation of the fertilized egg needs to take place before hCG is produced by the developing placenta, and that generally occurs at 6-10 dpo. If you decide to test early, make sure you perform a few follow-up tests every other day using first morning urine. Your hCG levels should rise exponentially, doubling every 2 days - which means that the follow up tests should eventually detect pregnancy if you are, in fact, pregnant.
For earliest detection of pregnancy, use first morning urine, as this urine sample contains the most concentrated amount of hCG. If using first morning urine is not feasible, avoiding urination for several hours before using a pregnancy test.
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A faint color band in the test area of a pregnancy test indicates, in most circumstances, a positive result for pregnancy.
However, a faint line appearing after the designated reaction time of the test may be an "evaporation line".
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What Does a Faint Line Mean on a Pregnancy Test?
On a pregnancy test, a faint test line - or color band - is usually indicative of a positive result, as long as it's read within the time frame - or reaction time of the test (usually at 5-10 minutes). If you perform the pregnancy test properly and read results within the recommended time frame, then a faint or weak color band in the test area is very likely a positive pregnancy test.
Evaporation Lines
Evaporation lines, however, can confound results if tests are not interpreted within the clinically recommended time frame. An evaporation line develops when the urine on the test area begins to dry, leaving a faint, usually colorless line. Evaporation lines appear to show up (or not show up) as a result of the composition of the particular urine specimen - and they may appear on any test regardless of brand.
Explanations for Faint Positives
- Testing Too Early: If you test too soon, hCG may not be at a sufficient level for test detection. See the section above on determining when to take a pregnancy test.
- Low Test Sensitivity: Different tests detect hCG at different levels, from 20MIU to 100MIU or more. 20 MIU tests will display a faint line when when hCG levels are at 20 MIU, while less sensitive tests will display a negative result. At 50 MIU levels, a 20 MIU test will show a stronger color band while a 50 MIU test will show a very faint band.
- Dilution of Urine Specimen: Urine specimens may be diluted due to frequent urination or consumption of liquids. First morning urine is recommended for pregnancy testing as it contains the most concentrated presence of hCG.
- Chemical pregnancy: Sometimes an early pregnancy is detected - followed by negative test results. A chemical pregnancy means implantation takes place (hCG is produced for a short time) followed by a miscarriage (generally, before any other pregnancy symptoms are detected).
- Evaporation Lines: Always read your test results within the test reaction time (usually 5 minutes) as evaporation lines can develop as the urine dries on the test area. Evaporation lines appear to show up (or not show up) as a result of the composition of the particular urine specimen - and they may appear on any test regardless of brand.
Remember, a pregnancy test does not function like "light switch" - and just turn on: different hCG levels will produce different gradients of color bands (from very light, faint lines early in pregnancy to dark, rich color lines later on as hCG develops).
Read More About Pregnancy Tests
Comments
Apparently a line is a line no matter how faint it is... unless its an evaporation line (which might appear after the "reading" time - and mislead you to think it's a positive result. Google "pregnancy tests evaporative line" if you want to find out more). I just got a faint line this morning and everyone's been telling me i'm pregnant.. i hope so!!
my daughter did 3 pregnany test had 2 faint line positives fllowed by a dark line negative can you tell me whats in store for her is she prego or no prego
Don't be scared girls. God has a plan for you and he has had this planned for your life since before you were born. Accept it and embrace what God has given you asking Him to lead the way! CHOOSE LIFE. "Happy And EXPECTANT mother of soon to be two".
Jodie
To the woman who has been trying for a year and had a very faint second line on her pregnancy test: I would bet money that's a positive test. I've been pregnant three times and on my second pregnancy (and my current pregnancy), the second line was so faint that I barely noticed it. I had to have my husband verify that there were indeed two lines. In the end, because I didn't trust it, I had him go out and get me a pregnancy test for dummies (i.e., the one that actually says "pregnant" or "not pregnant). It was positive and I have a healthy son from that pregnancy. (Still waiting for my third child to arrive) So if there's a second line (no matter how faint it is) and you read it in the correct amount of time, congratulations!
Best wishes for a healthy and wonderful pregnancy!
My husband and I have been trying for almost a year now to concieve with no luck. My periods tend to come at irregular times, but usually always within three to four days of when I'm due to get it. This month I am running unusually close to my actual due date for my period. This morning I took a pregnancy test because today is the day I'm actually supposed to start my period. It was a First Response Test. One line clearly showed up very dark. The second line showed up too, but it was quite a bit lighter. Any ideas before I go out and buy every pregnancy test in the drug store? We've been trying for quite a while now and I'm afraid to get my hopes up over nothing.
Whoever said choose life had better being paying monthly toward those children he/she recommends we "save". Or be an adoptive parent/foster parent. Or shut up! Choose what is best for you! I am profamily, prochild & prochoice!
I usually get my cycle every month on the 7th. The first day of my last cyle was sept. 7th it was regular. I had unprotected sex on sept 19-20, however i did not get my period oct.7 or 8th. I took a pregnancy test @ the dr. On the 7th and it said negative but they took really long to give back the results, could they have made a mistake? So, i went to the hospital and got a blood pregnancyy test. Still waiting 4 results
It has now been 16 days since my husband and I had intercourse. I know my body and took a pregnancy test. It came out negative. I do not know when I was ovulating, but we had intercourse on the last day of my period. I went for a blood test 2 days ago and received the results today. Negative. Did I take the test too soon? The lab didn't ask when I missed my period until today. I havent missed it yet, it will be 8 more days until I am due to have it...Thoughts??
I took a home pregnancy test 7 days before my perriod was supposed to start and it was positive. One line was fainter than the other but it was definately there. Then I took another test the day before my perriod should have started and there was only one line. Am I pregnant?
hi me and my boyfriend have had unprotected sex twice and i have been pregnant before so i know the symptoms of pregnancy but i hear the symptoms can be different each time.I have not had my cycle for a month and I took a clear blue easy test and it had a dark horizontal line so I assumed it was negative but when I held it up to the light i seen a faint verticle line on top of it.When I became pregnant last time i went to the doctor and found out that I had a bacterial infection and I was not pregnant but when I went back the next week to make sure that it cleared I found out that I was pregnant.I had another bacterial infection three weeks ago and I'm afraid that it means the same thing.Can you help me?
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