Can early pregnancy test strips be inaccurate?

Nov 11, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
In general, pregnancy test strips may sometimes be inaccurate. If you are concerned about pregnancy, it is recommended to go to a正规 hospital for proper medical examination. Pregnancy test strips work by detecting the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine, a hormone that gradually increases after conception. However, if the test is performed too early—shortly after conception—hCG levels may not yet be high enough to detect.

In general, pregnancy test strips may sometimes be inaccurate. If you are concerned about pregnancy, it is recommended to visit a正规 hospital for appropriate medical evaluation. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Pregnancy test strips work by detecting the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine, a hormone that gradually increases after conception. However, if the test is performed too early—when hCG levels have not yet risen to a detectable level—the result may be a false negative. Additionally, the accuracy of the test can be affected by the quality of the test strip and how it is used. Expired, damp, or improperly stored test strips may lose sensitivity, thereby affecting the results. Furthermore, incorrect procedures during testing—such as improper urine collection or inaccurate reading time—can also lead to erroneous results. Certain medical conditions or medications may interfere with hCG detection; for example, pituitary disorders, ovarian cysts, or taking medications containing hCG components could all lead to inaccurate readings on a pregnancy test.

When using a pregnancy test strip, ensure the timing is appropriate, the test strip is of reliable quality, the procedure is correctly followed, and consider any potential interfering factors to improve the accuracy of the test.