HPT experiment - does the test line get fainter as HCG reaches really high levels?

[lola]

I had read that as HCG levels rise to really high levels HPT lines can get fainter???? so in honour of the fact I have HPT and my levels were > 31,866 I thought I would test this threory and share results.

Top test is on concentrated urine, second test is on same urine but diluted, and YES ITS TRUE!!!! now the line is still pretty dark but when the same sample is diluted the line is much stronger, how odd!

Just thought I'd share!

 

[Lyns]

I'd always believed this was a myth....

https://www.peeonastick.com/hptfaq.html#41

 

[lola]

I think it must be a myth that they can be falsely negative I can't see that happening but I wonder why the line is lighter???? very very odd!

 

[TashaAndBump]

How odd! What did you dilute it with?

 

[lola]

water! only a little bit, not very scientific but hey!

 

[lola]

both tests are wet in the pic but the difference stays the same now they are dry, the concentrated sapmle test looks a bit odd, kind of stripey result, I really do have to get out more!

 

[hopedance]

wow that's awesome. i wish someone even further along would try too, to see what happens then! it's called the hook effect apparently, it can happen more so with twins according to one study i read.

 

[lola]

just found this about the tests I have been using https://www.homeandhealth.co.uk/PDF Test Instructions/FASTEST hCG Strip.pdf . It says you can get false negs with samples over 500,000 beta HCG but really its quite misleading for ladies who are using these to see if HCG is increasing. I must admit the main reason I thought I would try properly is as yesterday morning my test line wasn't as dark as it has been (beta HCG at 31,866) but when I tested in the evening with dilute urine it came out super strong and darker than the control. I guess it must be something to do with the way the test reacts to HCG but its worrying if you are checking that lines don't get lighter, thank goodness I have had my beta's done regularly!

 

[Pippin]

I have heard this is true too, too much hormone means the line gets lighter. My recent ic about 3 days ago came out stripy as well. I might just have a go at the water thing and see if it works for me too. I love the POAS addict that enjoys tests. Well done!!!

 

[lola]

oooh the phenomenon of the stripey test eh!!!!

 

[Pippin]

You'll like this.... I peed on an OPK tonight to see what happened and this is what I got...... yes the test line really is the one on the left!!!

 

[lola]

Nice one! loving the experimentation Pippin!

 

[MummyToAmberx]

i have to disagree.
i had pregnancy test dont at 18weeks 6 days
my line was extremely thick & dark red

 

[lola]

This only happened with IC (the early result 10 detection ones) ASDA remain the same thick dark line. Its just an experiment! but I think its useful to know if like me you have had previous miscarriage and are using these to monitor HCG levels, like I say if I hadn't of had my beta's done I would be beside myself with worry.

 

[lola]

also there is no hint of a false negative, just a change in the line thats all!

 

[Pippin]

I think it's great, it's the secret scientist in me I think. Nothing wrong with peeing on a few sticks to see what happens. Hurrah!!

 

[Icey]

I know that this thread is YONKS years old but i found it because i have been fretting about my line getting fainter since 7 weeks. I am now 7 weeks 5 days and had read about the higher HCG causing fainter lines so i took the same tests as the writer of this thread this morning ONE STEP EARLY DETECTION 10miu exact same test, and it was fainter than at around 5-6 weeks. I have been doing this for the last 2 days and worrying myself sick. We have had 2 scans and heartbeat seen but i have had miscarraige before so am anxious. Anyway, i thought i would experiment and watered down the urine sample 1:1, i added a fair bit of water to it. LO AND BEHOLD the test line is substantially darker than the contcentrated urine, basically it looks exactly the same as Lolas picture at the begining of this thread! I cant believe it either, its really odd. TO add to the oddness, i also have some of hte One step 25 miu tests to had tried one of those over the last few days too and they too are lighter BUT darker than the 10 Miu tests! BLOODY odd if you ask me and i think people should be aware of this and warned that this can happen! Before anyone says it is to do wit hthe die and the concentration of me urine etc. I controlled the conditions as much as i could, same time of day, same drinks or not before tests etc so i dont think it is anything to do with that, besides i used hte same sample for all tests. Hope this helps someone who has been fretting like me!

On a negative note, i have to say, i had a missed miscarriage last year and the tests didnt get any lighter even after i had lost the baby 1 week prior and firther i was still getting a positive line 5 weeks after ERPC at the hospital so ultimately the only thing that can tell us all is OK is a scan, but its useful knowing this about HPTS!

 

[Charliemarina]

WOW this thread is old isnt it
i defo think this is true, wen i was 8 weeks i took a preg test and wen i say the line was faint it was like a new bfp forming, i absolutely S**T myself thinking i was losing baby but i didnt, anyways i took another preg test about 2 weeks ago (13 weeks) and the line was very very strong again (both tests i used fmu with) i was confused, it turns out that at around 8 weeks u reach ur high peak of hcg (hence the line being lighter) then it drops down to a lower level again for rest of pregnancy, so i took it as the 8 weeks test i took i had the hook effect very weird if u ask me but i deo dont think its myth from my experiance

 

[lola]

haha how funny, well not funny as its serious for everyone worrying about such things, I'm so pleased it may go to prove that this really does happen at the peak of HCG (I must point out I am a scientist by training so love these things).

Anyways my VERY lively 14 month old goes to prove this reaction is normal xxxx

 

[lola]

once again I just want to emphasise, the post was merely to give reassurance if at a later date you test a lines aren't what you expect, but nothing at all replaces medical oppinion and a good solid beta hcg level xxxx