An inconclusive pregnancy test can be caused by faulty tests, bad timing, fertility drugs, or human error. Both urine and blood tests measure hCG levels, which may be below the normal range during pregnancy. Waiting a few days before retesting is usually the best option. Fertility treatments and previous miscarriages can also cause inconclusive results. Ultrasounds may detect pregnancy early, but waiting is usually advised.
An inconclusive pregnancy test can occur for a variety of reasons, including a faulty test, bad timing, the use of fertility drugs, or human error. Both home pregnancy tests and doctor-ordered blood tests can be inconclusive. If you have an inconclusive pregnancy test, your options are to take another test right away, wait a few days before retesting, or talk to your doctor about other ways to determine if you’re pregnant.
Both urine and blood pregnancy tests measure the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the body. This hormone is measured in milliinternational units per milliliter, or mIU/mL, and levels should double about every two to three days during the first eight weeks. For example, during the first two weeks after conception, hCG levels average between 25-200 mIU/ml, and during the second two weeks that level rises to between 100 and 5,000 mIU/ml. Levels are at their highest around the eighth week of pregnancy, and then continue to decline during the second and third trimesters.
An inconclusive result may occur if your hCG levels are below the normal range they should be during pregnancy. Urine tests are less sensitive than blood tests, so if you take one the first day you miss your period, your hCG levels may still not be detectable. Home pregnancy tests can also be faulty if they are out of date or used incorrectly, so tests with a new kit may give different results. Blood tests can also be inconclusive during the early stages of pregnancy, especially if you miscalculated your ovulation date. Waiting a few more days before retesting gives the hormone a chance to build up within your body, which may allow for a more accurate test.
Taking hCG injections as part of a fertility treatment plan can also create an inconclusive result if you don’t wait for the hCG to have a chance to clear your body. This can take up to two weeks and testing before then could create a false positive. Your doctor or fertility specialist will help you determine the best time to take a pregnancy test if you are receiving fertility treatments.
Miscarriage early during the previous cycle can also cause an inconclusive test because hCG remains in the body for up to six weeks after a miscarriage. Some women miscarry before they even know they’re pregnant, so if you had an early miscarriage, mistaken it for your period, and got tested too early, the test may still register hCG from the previous pregnancy. In this case, you will need to wait a little longer before testing again.
If you have an inconclusive pregnancy test, but feel strongly that you are pregnant, you can talk to your doctor about getting an ultrasound early. Most ultrasounds, however, cannot detect pregnancy until about five weeks into the gestation period. As difficult as it may be, waiting a few more days before retesting is usually the best option when the first pregnancy rest is inconclusive.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
