Can twins cause false negative pregnancy test
You may feel confused if you have a negative pregnancy test and still feel pregnant. If you are feeling pregnant symptoms, your first instinct might be to ask if the test was flawed. False negatives can sometimes occur, but they are very rare. A negative pregnancy test is one of the four possible outcomes.
You Are Not Pregnant
Sometimes the easiest answer is also the most disappointing. It’s easy to assume that you are pregnant if you experience symptoms like breast tenderness or unexplained nausea. These symptoms could be due to other reasons. Some symptoms may be premenstrual, and others could be accidental.
It’s a good idea for anyone who suddenly experiences irregular periods or other symptoms like cramping and constipation to visit a doctor.
You are too young to be tested.
Modern home pregnancy tests are accurate, but their sensitivity may vary during the first stages of pregnancy. Pregnancy tests detect the human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is produced shortly after fertilized eggs are implanted in the uterus. It usually takes two to three weeks before levels can be detected.
If you test early, you might be pregnant. However, the test is not sensitive enough to detect hCG signs.
If you’re certain you are pregnant but have tested too soon, you can take a step back. The hCG levels tend to double every 2 days, so waiting longer will increase your chances of getting a positive result.
An Early Miscarriage
A very early miscarriage is when you feel pregnant but have a negative pregnancy test. Also known as a chemical pregnancy. If there is an issue with the fertilized egg, this can lead to a very early miscarriage. However, pregnancy symptoms can still develop until that point as hormones continue to be released into the body.
Although an early miscarriage is possible in 10% to 20% of all pregnancies, it’s not uncommon in more than 50% of cases. Most people can have a healthy pregnancy later on.
The Test Was Wrong
Although it is unlikely that a bum test will result in a false negative, it can happen. In almost all cases, however, there is some human error. There are many other reasons that a false negative result could be caused by taking the test too early.
- Drinking too much water before taking a urine test can dilute your urine
- The dipstick should be kept in the urine stream at the recommended time.
- Tests that have been exposed to extreme heat or direct sunlight should not be used
- Use an expired test
Lastly, false negative pregnancy tests can sometimes be caused by multiple pregnancies of higher or twin order. This is known as the high-dose hook effect. 4 Although rare, it is possible. If you have pregnancy symptoms or miss your period, consult your doctor.
A word from Verywell
If you aren’t sure about the results of your pregnancy testing, your doctor can confirm it. Home pregnancy tests are generally highly reliable in most cases. This may not be the news that you want to hear. However, if it states you aren’t pregnant, you aren’t.
Sometimes, however, false negative pregnancy tests can be used to prove that you are pregnant. You can be sure by talking to your doctor or testing again in a few more days. If you are not yet pregnant but wish to become pregnant, and you have tried for at least a year (or six, if you’re older than 35) without success, you should consult your doctor to discuss your fertility treatment options.
