multiple positive HPTs but negative blood test (intro?)

arishia

I had hoped to be able to move over here officially, but I'm just not sure what's going on, so I need advice from you ladies.

I have had two losses in a row, one at 14 weeks, one at 7 weeks. I've been getting + HPTs for the past three days, but when I went in for a blood test yesterday, it came back negative. I will say that my HPTs have only just barely gotten darker and the two I took today were oh-so slightly lighter.

Is it possible to still be pregnant at this point? Or am I doomed to a chemical? I have a follow-up with my OB on Monday to run bloodwork again if my HPTs are still showing positive. But do I have any hope at all at point?

littlemaybaby

Define negative blood test.  They said, "your test is negative."  Or they said, "your HCG is under 5."

Some doctors do qualitative blood tests, and anything under 25 can be considered not pregnant.  (Although usually anything between 5-25 is inconclusive and not negative.)

Can you call your doctor back and find out if it was an HCG test and if so, what your exact level was? 

ETA:  And yes, there is hope.  Until the line goes away or someone tells you otherwise - there IS hope! 

arishia

littlemaybaby:

Define negative blood test.  They said, "your test is negative."  Or they said, "your HCG is under 5."

Some doctors do qualitative blood tests, and anything under 25 can be considered not pregnant.  (Although usually anything between 5-25 is inconclusive and not negative.)

Can you call your doctor back and find out if it was an HCG test and if so, what your exact level was? 

ETA:  And yes, there is hope.  Until the line goes away or someone tells you otherwise - there IS hope! 

It was an HCG test and it came back negative. She didn't say what the level was. I'll call back and see if I can find out more info. I need to calm down though or I'm going to be a whimpering mess on the phone.

arishia

daylights1:

Are you using the same batch of HPTs?  A blood test is much more sensitive than an HPT.  That being said, there is always a rare possibly the lab was wrong. 

FX for you.  

I've taken Wondfos from the same batch and two FRERs. All positive. One of each this morning and still positive. How could a blood test yesterday be negative but urine tests this morning are positive? I'm so confused and heartbroken.

benoitfan

What kind of HPTs are you using?  Are you always testing with FMU - if not this early that could explain the fading line.  I looked at your chart and it looks good.  It looks like you started getting your +ves at about the same time you did with your last pg.  Maybe you should go buy a digital and see what it says? 

littlemaybaby

arishia:

daylights1:

Are you using the same batch of HPTs?  A blood test is much more sensitive than an HPT.  That being said, there is always a rare possibly the lab was wrong. 

FX for you.  

I've taken Wondfos from the same batch and two FRERs. All positive. One of each this morning and still positive. How could a blood test yesterday be negative but urine tests this morning are positive? I'm so confused and heartbroken.

I agree, that makes no sense at all.  Hugs.  I hope you can get some answers soon! 

tiffmatt

littlemaybaby:

Define negative blood test.  They said, "your test is negative."  Or they said, "your HCG is under 5."

Some doctors do qualitative blood tests, and anything under 25 can be considered not pregnant.  (Although usually anything between 5-25 is inconclusive and not negative.)

Can you call your doctor back and find out if it was an HCG test and if so, what your exact level was? 

ETA:  And yes, there is hope.  Until the line goes away or someone tells you otherwise - there IS hope! 

My first blood tests with each pregnancy were always very low.  Guess that's what happens when you POAS everyday and go in to the Dr at the very first hint of a line.  I would ask the Dr or lab if there was any HCG detected.  I had a blood draw as low as 5 and got a positive HPT.

mork

littlemaybaby:

Define negative blood test.  They said, "your test is negative."  Or they said, "your HCG is under 5."

Some doctors do qualitative blood tests, and anything under 25 can be considered not pregnant.  (Although usually anything between 5-25 is inconclusive and not negative.)

Can you call your doctor back and find out if it was an HCG test and if so, what your exact level was? 

ETA:  And yes, there is hope.  Until the line goes away or someone tells you otherwise - there IS hope! 

I definitely think it's an issue along these lines.  It's very possible to get a +FRER at a very low level (I've had one show a couple hours before bloodwork giving me an HCG of 9, with the level rising after that), and I've heard the cheapies are just as sensitive.  If your doc/lab is only doing an HCG presence test, they may very well consider anything under 25 as "negative.". If that's the case, it may just be too early for them to deem it positive.  I would definitely find out the actual # (although many labs/docs don't record it when just doing a presence test), AND get your blood retested in a couple days, if you're still getting +HPTs.  Good luck!

arishia

benoitfan:

What kind of HPTs are you using?  Are you always testing with FMU - if not this early that could explain the fading line.  I looked at your chart and it looks good.  It looks like you started getting your +ves at about the same time you did with your last pg.  Maybe you should go buy a digital and see what it says? 

I'm using Wondfos and FRERs. I usually test with FMU and then again in the afternoon/evening. Still all positives. I haven't gotten an neg urine test since I started testing +. I'll take another Wondfo later today and see what it says.

arishia

mork:

littlemaybaby:

Define negative blood test.  They said, "your test is negative."  Or they said, "your HCG is under 5."

Some doctors do qualitative blood tests, and anything under 25 can be considered not pregnant.  (Although usually anything between 5-25 is inconclusive and not negative.)

Can you call your doctor back and find out if it was an HCG test and if so, what your exact level was? 

ETA:  And yes, there is hope.  Until the line goes away or someone tells you otherwise - there IS hope! 

I definitely think it's an issue along these lines.  It's very possible to get a +FRER at a very low level (I've had one show a couple hours before bloodwork giving me an HCG of 9, with the level rising after that), and I've heard the cheapies are just as sensitive.  If your doc/lab is only doing an HCG presence test, they may very well consider anything under 25 as "negative.". If that's the case, it may just be too early for them to deem it positive.  I would definitely find out the actual # (although many labs/docs don't record it when just doing a presence test), AND get your blood retested in a couple days, if you're still getting +HPTs.  Good luck!

Thanks for the positive thoughts. I just really need to be on the good end of the %s in life, you know? We finally figured out what might be causing my miscarriages (Favtor V and MTHFR) and have a game plan for how to help another pregnancy survive. My OB is closed for lunch, but maybe I can find out more info later today.

ckkgb2001

I agree with the PP.  Call back and get the definite numbers.  With this pregnancy I used Wondfos and they detected around either 10 or 11 DPO.  But they did not get progessively darker each day.  It would take about 48 hours before I noticed the line getting darker.  Then another 48 (or more) before it got darker again.  Yes....I was one of THOSE testers.  Eventually the line reached maximum darkness and I packed the tests away.

FX that you get some good news!

pamiva1

This sounds odd, and I would call your DR back. Even when I had a chemical pregnancy, the DR was still picking up the hcg after the test turned from positive to negative. I hope it works out for you.

arishia

Called the doc back and the nurse said the result was an HCG of 3. I guess it's looking like a CP at this point. I'll go back for more bloodwork on Monday if AF doesn't show up before then.

I guess I'm adding to my collection. Second tri loss, first tri loss, and now a CP. Awesome. Thanks for the support, ladies.

ckkgb2001

I am so sorry ((hugs))

panacea05

So sorry to see your update. I can't believe how much heartache some of us have to suffer. It's so unfair.

This is random, but I checked out your blog, and it's really great. 

Wishing you peace and healing--and another BFP as soon as you're ready for it.