Very Faint Line on a Pregnancy Test (Pregnant or not pregnant?)

Taking a home pregnancy test is easy, right? Two pink lines, pregnant; one pink line, not pregnant. How much easier could it get? But here you are at the end of your cycle anxiously waiting to test. You take the test and there is a faint line. Now what does that mean? Are your eyes playing tricks on you or are you pregnant?

Is a faint line on a pregnancy test positive?

In most cases, if the manufacturers instructions were followed properly, a faint line is a positive pregnancy test. Generally, any line that shows up is a result of HCG being detected in your urine. If you are unsure if you see a line or for further confirmation, it is a good idea to take a second test in a day or two.

Reasons you might see a faint line on a home pregnancy test

Testing to early. Testing too early is one of the most common reasons for not getting accurate results from a home pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests determine pregnancy by detecting the levels of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) in your urine. During the first few weeks of pregnancy, HCG levels in a woman's body double every two to three days. A few days can make a big difference in how much HCG is detected in your urine. Testing should be done no earlier than ten days after ovulation or ideally after having missed your period.

Miscalculating expected period. Another common problem with testing is miscalculating when your period is due. BBT charting and writing down your cycle dates can help with any confusion.

Diluted urine. It was once recommended to only use first morning urine for pregnancy testing. Most tests on the market today can be used any time of day. However, if you are testing early, testing with first morning urine may be a good idea. The reason is that early morning urine is more concentrated than urine throughout the day.

Pregnancy test sensitivity. Some home pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others. Some tests can detect pregnancy with HCG levels as low as 20 mIU and other tests require HCG levels of 100 mIU to detect pregnancy. A 20 mIU home pregnancy test may show a stronger line than a 100 mIU test.

Expired test or improperly stored pregnancy test. Make sure to check the expiration date on your pregnancy test as well as the storage instructions. An expired test or improperly stored pregnancy test may not work accurately.

Evaporation line. An evaporation line is caused by urine evaporating from a pregnancy test. The line results in the area where a positive result would normally be seen. Evaporation lines generally do not have any color to them. They look more like a shadow.

Reading tests results after manufacturer's recommended time. A faint positive test result may occur if you read the pregnancy test after the manufacturer's recommended time. Some pregnancy tests will continue to react to urine and produce a false positve result if read after recommended time period.

Chemical pregnancy. A chemical pregnancy is a pregnancy that produces HCG but does not develop into normal pregnancy. It is a term used to describe a very early miscarriage.

Certain medications. Certain medications such as thorazine and fertility medications that contain HCG may result in a false positive or a faint line on a home pregnancy test.

If you have a faint line on a pregnancy test, and you are not sure of the results, retest or consult your doctor for more information. If you have a missed period consult your doctor.

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4 comments

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By racergurl1188 on 03/17/10 at 11:10 am

i'm having the same problem she is, the first day of my last period was january 30th and now its march 17th, i havent had any spotting or anything. ive   ...

By Fertility Coach - Amy on 01/29/10 at 8:36 am

I agree, it sounds like other factors besides pregnancy are responsible for your late period and unusual test results. It would be best to see your doct  ...

By mdandmom2be on 01/28/10 at 1:35 pm

It's possible and the best way to know for sure would be to get a blood test taken. However, it sounds like your cycle may be off due to other reasons   ...

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