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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
i did two 1st responce tests saturday as i was 3 days late off my period and there was a faint line, i was so happy but i went 2 the doctors monday and did another it was negative, but i was confused as why would a test lie, i started my period or what i thought was a period i was 5 days late , but did another test wednsday clear blu it was stil faint line whats going on and my period is so light it different than normal am i pregnant or just seeing things!!!
How can you tell if the hcg line is a evaporated line or a really really light positive. The two that I took were really really light blue. You could barely see them unless u squinted. So here's my question, " Am I pregnant"?
I took a pregnancy test this morning. 5 minutes passed, there was a vertical line in the conrtol window and a very faint horizontal in the other box. I looked more closely, their appeared to be a very, very faint hint of a plus sign. could I be pregnant or just hoping?
I miscarried six months ago, and my husband and I started trying again. We had sex once or twice a day for most of the days when I could have ovulated (except for the last two, because I got the stomach flu!) My period usually comes every thirty days, but I seemed to have started bleeding on the 27th day--very unusual for me. My husband and I were disappointed, but figured we'd have to keep trying. My period's been light since I went off the pill, but I seemed to just stop bleeding at all almost as soon as I started bleeding and I haven't bled at all in the last two days. Today is the day that I should've gotten my period, so I just took a pregnancy test, and to my surprise, there was a very faint line next to the dark control line. It wasn't a colorless line, so I don't think it could be from evaporation. The last time I was pregnant, I had extreme breast sensitivity, but this time, I don't. I'm clumsier and a little more emotional than usual, but that could just be PMS. I just don't feel pregnant! But I really want to be! I guess I'll just have to take a test in the morning, but I'm wondering, I've had this pregnancy test for 9 months at least. My sister-in-law, who works at a hospital, gave me a few free tests. There isn't an expiration date on it that I can find. Could an expired test give a false positive result?
i had a miscarrige 5 weeks ago started spotting brown so thought was having my period like last time.done a test today and got a faint line as i did last time i was pregnant,not sure what to think though.can anyone help?
I have a 28 day cycle. I used an ovulation kit which showed that I ovulated very late in my cycle, approximately one week before the end of my cycle. I am now a week late. I have clear discharge which I think is leukorrhea, and haven't been going #2 like I used too. I used to go every morning and every night. I didn't go at all the last two days. I have taken tests (too many probably) and they are all negative so far. I think that because of my ovulation late in my cycle I can't test yet due to late implantation. I feel like I may be pregnant, but haven't had it confirmed on a test yet. My doctor won't give me a blood test until I'm two weeks late. Anyone have any ideas? Any very sensitive tests that you know about? Anyone else gone through this?
I hope everyone here gets what they want
I took two pregnancy tests (one last night and on this morning) they both have a faint line on them the one from this morning is a lot darker though. What does this mean? Can someone please email me at mrs.white81@yahoo.com?
my daughter has recently gone through ivf and had two fertalized eggs inserted back into her uteus. She has now taken an early pregancy test. There is one line and one faint line. She is still worried that she might not be pregnant, but I am sure she is!! Any positive comments would gratefully received.
This comment is for the female 4 comments from the top who posted a comment August 3rd who is very confused about the fertility kits & ovulation dates. You ovulate 14 dayz after the first day of your period. So your period started 7/7/10. You would of started to ovulate on the 21st of July. You don't have sex everyday b/c that lowers the sperm count. You want the sperm to be concentrated. So, you don't have sex on your period, you wait. The day before you ovulate you have sex. You don't have sex the first day of ovulation and you have it the second day, not on the third, and again on the forth day. So you skip a day in between so his sperm can build up. Sperm lives in you for 3-7 dayz. So you might not concieve till after you finish ovulating up to seven dayz. Don't waste your $$ on ovulation kits. When your ovulating, you'll know. Sometimes your stomache can hurt(kinda like cramps) but, most important.... Your discharge will be clear. If you put some of it between your first finger and your thumb, It will look like clear spit. Kinda gross but, that kind of discharge is what helps the sperm swim to where they need to go to get fertilized. So, I hope this helps you. I have 5 kids & 3 of them were planned( the other 2 were surprise twins lol)Oh and just to let you know, you will start ovulating Aug. 15th...
SO, be ready & if your having lots of sex, remember, You need it to be concentrated...
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