“Why did I get two different results for my pregnancy test?”
I took a home pregnancy test which turned out positive. However, when the test was repeated at the doctor’s clinic it was negative. Why did this happen? What can I do now to further test myself?
4 Answers
Home test for pregnancy is accurate. However, in some instances, they produce a false-positive results. Incorrect tesr usage, previous abortion, and miscarriages, and some medications. May lead to a false-positive for pregnancy test. The blood test measures the levels of the hormone in the blood and are therefore more accurate. Thank you.
Pregnancy tests usually measure the level of beta-HCG hormone in the blood. No test is perfect, all have a certain chance of yielding a false positive or false negative result. Usually, in the case of conflicting results, the next best step is to do the gold standard test. In this case, that would be a blood test for beta-HCG level.
Sometimes, home tests can be inaccurate. When you do a home test, it is always important to look at the control. If the control does not work, whatever result you get is not valid. I would trust the one at the doctor's office. Personnel there do them a lot more often. If you want extra assurance either way, request that your doctor do a serum pregnancy test. This would involve having blood drawn and having it tested. Good luck.
There is a possibility of false negative as well as false positive, results with home testing products and occasionally, on laboratory testing. Evaluation by your primary care or OBGYN doctor would be important in this type of a situation.
