False Positive Pregnancy Test Results.

Can a pregnancy test be false positive?. The answer is a resounding Yes, though the chances to see a false positive pregnancy test are very slim. Though pregnancy blood tests claim 99% accuracy and home pregnancy tests 97% accurate, you could get a false positive pregnancy test result with both types of tests which can be due to certain factors. In these cases, the result of the pregnancy test is positive though you are not pregnant. 

Reasons and Causes for False Positive Pregnancy Test Result.

  • This happens when the test has detected presence of hCG in blood which could have been produced by certain medications you may be taking such as hCg containing fertility drugs or injections to induce ovulation(except clomid), promethazine (antihistamine), hypnotics like Ambien, etc.
  • It can also be due to improper doing of the test or wrong interpretation of the results. The results of the test should be read at the interval specified by the manufacturer which is usually five minutes or slightly more. Any delay in reading the test result can give a false positive result.
  • Certain medical conditions which  increase hCG levels in the blood can cause a false positive pregnancy test. Such  conditions are choriocarcinoma (a rare cancer of the uterus), certain types of breast and ovarian cancers and some diseases of the liver. Testicular cancer can give a false positive result in men.
  • Expired or defective pregnancy kits can also give false positive test results. This is probably the most common cause of a false positive pregnancy test.
  • You can have a positive pregnancy test result which can later turn negative at a subsequent testing. This could be due to an early miscarriage or abortion. This is called chemical pregnancy. You could test positive for a few days or even weeks after you have had a miscarriage.

Drugs That Increase hCG Levels in Blood and Give False Positive Results.

  • Fertility drugs which contain hCG.
  • Hypnotics like Ambien.
  • Promethazine – an antihistamine used in treating cold and allergies. It can also give a false negative pregnancy test.
  • Medicines used in treatment of epilepsy.
  • Medications used in treating Parkinson’s disease.
  • Phenothiazines like chlorpromazine used to treat nausea and vomiting among other uses.
  • Certain prescription drugs contain hCG such as  A.P.L., Novarel, Pregnyl, Profasi, Ovarel which are drugs given to increase fertility in women and men.
It is therefore advisable to always confirm a home pregnancy test result by talking to your doctor and following it up with a pregnancy blood test. You could also read false negative pregnancy test and missed period. 

 

Optimized Call to action logo False Positive Pregnancy Test Results.

Your action step.

If you feel this article could be useful, do share it on social media and pass a comment below.

Medic On Web

Related posts:

  1. Home Pregnancy Test – Indications, Procedure and Results.
  2. Pregnancy Blood Test – A More Accurate Test For Pregnancy.
  3. First Response Pregnancy Test – The Best Pregnancy Test.
  4. Negative Pregnancy Test and Missed Period.
  5. How Early Can You Test For Pregnancy.
  6. Pregnancy – A Milestone in a Woman’s Life.
  7. Test For Herpes.
  8. Are Pregnancy Tests Really Accurate.