Testing dark, then light then dark again.

jobanana3130 · October 2019

Hello girls! I feel like I am going a bit loopy! I had positive pregnancy tests, even digital then I tested a few days later and they were faint now a few days after I've tested again and they are dark again. Has anyone ever had this and had a healthy full term pregnancy?

daffodil_shoe · October 2019

They are most likely changing darkness based on how concentrated your urine is at the time of testing.

jrouge12 · October 2019

@jobanana3130 With DD I tested once and only once but I did have a similar experience with this pregnancy (currently 11-weeks).

I tested (after days of as dark as the control line tests) with first morning urine at 17dpo. The test line was lighter than the control. It freaked me out.
I decided to test again when I got home from work with light (I'd been drinking a lot of water) urine. This time the test line was as dark as the control. A few days later it was darker.

There are a few reasons the lighter line can happen. Depending how far along you are it could be the hook effect. Meaning the test can't handle the level of HCG in your system so its lighter. I think that's what happened with me and that's why more diluted urine gave the darker line. It was a FRER.

It could also be that your tests have different amounts of dye in them. It can vary from batch to batch and brand. Giving the different results.

How far along are you?

Also know that those tests are only designed to test if HCG is there. Not the amount. My advice would be to stop testing. You'll drive yourself crazy. It was after my lighter line that I convinced myself to stop.

jobanana3130 · October 2019

So I am about 6 weeks pregnant. I went to my doctors office last week and theirs was light as well. But then I tested last night and the line was darker than the control. Getting bloodwork done this week. Hopefully it’s a viable pregnancy!!

jrouge12 · October 2019

I think it was test irregularities or the hook effect. FX your blood work is good.

ejoseph16 · October 2019

I had a MC in April that I did not see coming, and I only tested once that pregnancy. This time around, I tested every day for about 2 weeks. It made me crazy, so I stopped. Mine varied based on time of day, testing strip variables, etc. stop testing! You’ll make yourself crazy! Btw, I’m 16w2d with a very healthy pregnancy. Don’t worry until your body tells you to.

harpseal135 · October 2019

I really do not get all this multiple testing! You test once, you get a positive, congrats. I can see maybe testing again to believe what you saw with a digital pregnant/bot pregnant stick. Why is everyone so obsessed with pee sticks? A positive is a positive despite the darkness of s Kobe (as a PP stated reasons why it could be).

I know I got a positive. Called the doctor office to tell them the next day. They had me come in for a nurse visit. They did not even do a pregnancy test there. I asked why not, they told me we believe you when you say you have a positive, you will be scheduled for bloodwork after the appointment.

kiki75 · October 2019

@harpseal135 For me it is a combination of previous loss and infertility.

jrouge12 · October 2019

@harpseal135 Haha! I wish my OB just took my word for it. I could have even shown them the pics of my positives. Instead my insurance only covered half of the test. Which the doctor's office charged $20 for (not a lot but they literally cover every other thing with my pregnancy). I mean, if I'm lying you'll figure it out quickly.

crazypuglady · October 2019

@jobanana3130 HPTs are qualitative tests only. Designed to detect the presence of HCG in your system. You can not use the line darkness as a quantitative measurement- you would have to have a beta HCG drawn. Even that alone can't diagnose issues with the pregnancy- you need a second or series of betas to determine if the hormone is increasing in your system enough to support the notion of a viable/progressing pregnancy. So unfortunately you have to wait for the bloodwork to have your answer. Good luck!

harpseal135 · October 2019

kiki75 said:

@harpseal135 For me it is a combination of previous loss and infertility.

I'm very sorry for your previous loss. Continuous testing though isn't going to change out comes. I was never supposed to have kids, stage 4 endometriosis where my ovaries were actually glued together, multiple endometriosis on my ovaries, 5 surgeries prior to the miracle pregnancy. After trying, one positive was enough, with the blood work at the Dr. office. Each to their own, I just dont see the need, just adds added stress - as you are expressing here on your post.

kiki75 · October 2019

harpseal135 said:

kiki75 said:

@harpseal135 For me it is a combination of previous loss and infertility.

I'm very sorry for your previous loss. Continuous testing though isn't going to change out comes. I was never supposed to have kids, stage 4 endometriosis where my ovaries were actually glued together, multiple endometriosis on my ovaries, 5 surgeries prior to the miracle pregnancy. After trying, one positive was enough, with the blood work at the Dr. office. Each to their own, I just dont see the need, just adds added stress - as you are expressing here on your post.

I'm sorry that you went through that.

The OP is experiencing added stress.

*TW* With my chemical pregnancy, continued testing actually helped me to brace for the loss instead of being surprised for it.

While I do think it's best to step away from the tests before the hook effect might happen and to be aware that different tests/batches/hydration levels may all affect the darkness of the line, I'd never fault anyone for taking multiple tests.

wishiwaspreggo · October 2019

I'm with @kiki75 - When I went through IVF I tested 2X a day for like, 10 days or until the test line was darker than the control. It just made me feel better and gave me reassurance that all was well. For some, testing brings comfort and answers (whether negative or positive). I, personally, don't understand women who undergo IVF and wait for beta but I fully support their choice if it makes them feel better.

jobanana3130 · October 2019

Thank you everyone for your responses. I think for me I have had two previous miscarriages so it helps me kind of be reassured/ brace myself if there is going to be a loss. I go in two days to get bloodwork again. We shall see! Hopefully all is good & it is a healthy, viable pregnancy!

Malidocious · October 2019

Good luck @jobanana3130!

cherrythefaerie · November 2022

@harpseal135 and you don’t have to get it ! It’s not your body lol. But since you don’t understand I can tell you! I’m the perfect example , I just tested and got a positive at 9dpo and then a stronger at 10dpo and then even stronger line at 11dpo as well as a positive digital ! I continued to test only to find out my lines were fading . My digitals started saying “not pregnant” and my frer were fading and fading every few hours until there was nothing at all. All of this happened so fast . I made a doctor appointment for my pregnancy but now it’s for my miscarriage . I’m going to tell them what happened and hopefully get a scan to make sure everything is okay but i for sure miscarried . Some people text multiple times to make sure something like this doesn’t happen. Others just want to . It’s really not anyones business .

harpseal135 · November 2022

@cherrythefaerie you do realize that this post is fron 2019!!!!! If the PP had a child it is 3 years old now, right?

Zombie Post!!!

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