Can pregnancy test be false?

Reasons for false positive in a pregnancy test:

There's a lot of discussion around pregnancy tests - when to take them, what the results mean, and so on. But one thing that often isn't discussed is the possibility of a false negative. In other words, what are the chances that a pregnancy test might say you're not pregnant when you are?

Understanding how accurate pregnancy tests are is important before making any assumptions. Pregnancy tests work by detecting the hormone HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin) in your urine. This hormone is only produced once a pregnancy is established, so a positive result on a pregnancy test is conclusive.

A negative result, however, doesn't necessarily mean that you're not pregnant. It could just mean that the test wasn't taken early enough. The earlier you take the test, the more accurate it will be. In general, the accuracy of a pregnancy test ranges from 97-99%. So if you've taken the test more than three days after your missed period, your chances of a false negative increase.

Reasons for false positive on a pregnancy test

There are several reasons why a pregnancy test may come back as false positive. The most common reason for a false positive is inaccurate results due to incorrect test use. For example, if you do not follow the directions properly or if you do not wait long enough for the test to develop, you may get a false positive.

Another reason for inaccurate results is that the test may be defective. If the test is expired, stored in an area that is too warm or too cold, or mishandled in any way, it may produce incorrect results. Additionally, certain foods, medications, and medical conditions can cause a pregnancy test to return a false positive.

Insights

So, what have we learned? First, if you take any medications, it is important to disclose that to your doctor. Certain medications like antibiotics can give you a false negative on a pregnancy test. Secondly, if you've had a past miscarriage, that increases your chances of getting a false negative on a pregnancy test. Finally, if you see any evaporating lines on a pregnancy test, that could indicate an ectopic pregnancy. So, if you're experiencing any of those symptoms, you must see your doctor immediately.