$ store test users

mummalove

I've googled and read many OLD posts about faint BFPs but I was curious if anyone here used $$ store tests and if you were able to get a dark line?

I know there is nothing I can do but wait, and that HPTs do not tell you HOW pg you are, but I sure would feel better if I could get a dark line.

thanks for listening and sharing your experiences. 

Raeily

The test I used was a dollar store test that my Mom bought jokingly to give us at our wedding. It was all I had and I did get a dark line. Don't worry about the darkness. 

amykins1283

I got a dark line around 5 weeks.  The line got progressively darker over time (I peed on one every day from 12 DPO until I was considered 5 weeks along) so I knew that things were progressing.

Rynleigh

A line is a line is a line. 

Store brands usually use the same bulk strips that your doctor is going to use to do a urine confirmation test (and the same strips you can order from Amazon under brand names like Wondfo or Babi-One). They might give you a darker line a couple of weeks into pregnancy than they did at the start, but each brand only prints a specific level of antibody sensitivity onto their strips, so they have a base level of how much antibody reaction there has to be for a line to show up, and they have a maximum antibody count, which means there is a limit to how dark any one test line can get. 

pamiva1

I got a dark line on dollar store test, but it was not until closer to 18-20 dpo. They were all pretty faint until then. Congrats!

mummalove

pamiva1:

I got a dark line on dollar store test, but it was not until closer to 18-20 dpo. They were all pretty faint until then. Congrats!

 

Thanks! That makes me feel better. This is the first time I've ever tested more than once and of course now I'm driving myself crazy worried! 

luckydust

the good news is a line is a line~darker just means higher hcg levels. any line is a good line!

Shayliz

luckydust:

the good news is a line is a line~darker just means higher hcg levels. any line is a good line!

Darker lines do not necessarily mean higher HCG levels, just like lighter lines do not always mean lower levels. It all depends on the concentration, the amount of dye, the test processing, etc.

My dollar store tests never got dark, even when my FRER test line was darker than the control.

RunningGal900

I'm 21 DPO and my lines still aren't super dark. I'm not worried.

shipsshoessealingwax

Definately agree w/ PPs on the whole "a line is a line" bit, however if you used the kind of $ store test I did (with a dropper, not a pee stick) it can also be lighter b/c there simply isn't as much urine contacting the test surface. Just a thought :-)