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Is A Pregnancy Test Strip Result Valid After Few Hours?

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Posted on Tue, 5 Aug 2014
Question: hello,
I took a pregnancy test that was negative a few hours ago. I just saw it in the trash and there is a very faint positive line. I have taken many urine tests, blood test, and seen three doctors who all have assured me I'm not pregnant. I have had two ultrasounds (7 weeks) and had a pap smear at 9 weeks that was 2 days ago. I have not missed a period though they haven't been normal. It was a first signal walmart brand test that cost 88 cents and the box says to not read the results after 10 minutes. I was wondering can it be wrong? Is there a reason it would turn positive hours later? I'm not rational at this point and I would appreciate anyone that could help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
RESULT NOT TO BE READ AFTER 10 MINUTES.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
YEs, the results of a pregnancy test strip are not reliable when read beyond a certain time frame.
This concerns the chemical properties of the strip, which change when exposed to air beyond 5 - 10 minutes.
ANY result visible after 10 minutes is not reliable, it is just an evaporation line.
You have had periods, you have had two scans, which have not shown a pregnancy, so it is IMPOSSIBLE to be pregnant.
Do not rely on what you saw in the trash, that is just not applicable.
Am attaching a link here, read through the FAQs, and it addresses your specific doubt.
http://www.craigmedical.com/pregnancy_faq.htm
Relax, and please do not stress out.
Take care, and please feel free to discuss further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Aarti Abraham

OBGYN

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 6004 Questions

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Is A Pregnancy Test Strip Result Valid After Few Hours?

Brief Answer: RESULT NOT TO BE READ AFTER 10 MINUTES. Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for writing to us with your health concern. YEs, the results of a pregnancy test strip are not reliable when read beyond a certain time frame. This concerns the chemical properties of the strip, which change when exposed to air beyond 5 - 10 minutes. ANY result visible after 10 minutes is not reliable, it is just an evaporation line. You have had periods, you have had two scans, which have not shown a pregnancy, so it is IMPOSSIBLE to be pregnant. Do not rely on what you saw in the trash, that is just not applicable. Am attaching a link here, read through the FAQs, and it addresses your specific doubt. http://www.craigmedical.com/pregnancy_faq.htm Relax, and please do not stress out. Take care, and please feel free to discuss further.