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Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?
Content
When should I take a home pregnancy test?
Are there different types of home pregnancy tests?
How accurate are home pregnancy tests?
Could medications interfere with test results?
Could a positive result be wrong?
Could a negative result be wrong?
What happens next?
Could a negative result be wrong?
It's possible to get a negative result from a home pregnancy test when you're actually pregnant. This is known as a false-negative. You might get a false-negative if you:
- Take the test too early. The earlier after a missed period that you take a home pregnancy test, the harder it is for the test to detect HCG. For the most accurate results, repeat the test one week after a missed period. If you can't wait that long, ask your health care provider for a blood test.
- Check test results too soon. Give the test time to work. Consider setting a timer according to the package instructions.
- Use diluted urine. For the most accurate results, take the test first thing in the morning — when your urine is the most concentrated.