Is it possible to have a negative hCG blood test and still be pregnant?
A false negative (test is negative, but you’re pregnant) can occur if the blood pregnancy test was performed too early. There may not be enough hCG in the blood to detect a pregnancy. 4 If you believe that you received a false negative from testing too soon, your doctor may repeat the test after 48 to 72 hours.
Can a pregnancy test give a false negative?
A false negative pregnancy test is when you are pregnant but the test comes up negative. The most common reason for a false negative is that you took the test too early. 1 Even if your period is late according to your typical cycle, you might have ovulated later in the month.
What can cause false negative pregnancy test?
What causes a false-negative pregnancy test?
- Incorrect use of the pregnancy test. If you don’t follow the directions on the package, the pregnancy test will not be set up properly to test your urine.
- Used the pregnancy test too early.
- Miscalculated menstrual cycle.
- Diluted hCG levels.
- Too much hCG in the urine.
How long can it take for HCG to show up in urine?
It appears shortly after the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. If you are pregnant, this hormone increases very rapidly. If you have a 28 day menstrual cycle, you can detect hCG in your urine 12-15 days after ovulation.
What can cause false negative serum hCG?
Certain allergy medications may also cause a false negative, while sleep aids and certain prescription medications for the treatment of convulsions may create false positive results. Some women may also develop antibodies against hCG.
How soon can blood test detect hCG levels?
The American Pregnancy Association explains that within 12 to 14 days of conception a urine test can detect hCG. A blood test can identify hCG in early pregnancy within 11 days of conception. Once the blood sample is obtained the health care facility can run one of two specific types of hCG tests.
How accurate are hCG blood tests?
Blood tests have a 99% accuracy rate, so they are almost always accurate. The main reason for this is that the quantitative test can detect even the smallest traces of the pregnancy hormone hCG.
How long does it normally take for hCG blood test results?
hCG can first be detected in a blood sample about 11 days after conception. Levels of hCG continue to double every 48 to 72 hours. They reach their peak around 8 to 11 weeks after conception.