Hook Effect (or, why are my lines getting lighter?)

[magnacarta]

Hi all,

OK, so we all know that once we get our BFP, we shouldn't keep peeing on those darn sticks.

But, if you're like me and will be 12 weeks before you can even see a midwife, you might just want to pee on one. Or two. Or a lot. You know, just to make sure

For weeks, my test line has been as dark or darker than the control line. I stopped testing. But yesterday I decided to give it a 'go' and the unthinkable happened-- my test line was quite light. Today, same thing. Obviously, I was terrified.

Luckily, I did some Googling, and found some articles on the Hook Effect. Essentially, when your HcG levels get really high, your test line actually gets lighter. Nonsense, I thought-- that makes no sense! But, the test of this is to dilute your urine with water and take another test.

The verdict? A nice dark line. So ladies, a couple of lessons from me to you. First, stop with this POAS nonsense and second, if you MUST POAS and you're 6+ weeks along and things are looking fainter than you were hoping, dilute your pee with water! Not sure if it works all the time, but it worked for me

 

[Ljayne]

Had exactly the same and did it exactly the same with the water same result. I think in hindsight i would just not keep doing the tests more worry than worth lol x

 

[forestfire]

I noticed today on my 10th test (shame) that the line was a different shade, not much lighter just different! Might be this and a sign to stop testing!

 

[silverbells]

Oh WOW!
I just about made myself sick this morning with doing another test 'just for fun'. I am 7 weeks today and it was virtually back to half as faint as the control line, having had ultra super duper dark lines in the previous poas-athon. I hadn't tested for a week to try and stop my obsession!
Someone told me to look up the hook effect and here I am!
That was with fmu and smu this morning. Then, about 3 hours later (having had nothing to drink) I did another, and I was back to full strength test line, darker than control line!
This is so strange but I totally think the hook effect is in play with me! xx

 

[silverbells]

I wish I could post pics to show you but I actually did this pee test and diluted it yesterday.
Normal pee, undiluted, faint line.
Diluted pee, mega strong positive HPT!!

I'm so happy I found out about the hook effect. AND I'm not testing anymore!!

 

[JoulesRulez]

So glad I read you guys' little experiment, I had a leftover stick, and peed on it. The line was faint, so I thought NOOOOOO

But apparently it really doesn't say anything