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What Can Cause A False Positive On A Home Pregnancy Test?

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Posted on Mon, 10 Aug 2015
Question: What can cause a false positive on a home pregnancy test I have been bleeding slightly for the past six days however 7 - 8 days ago I tested positive three different times three different tests
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nishikant Shrotri (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Ukltrasonography will make the picture more clear

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,

Why do you think the test is FALSE positive? Probably because you are bleeding for past 6 days.

Your tests were positive 7-8 days ago; i.e. before you started bleeding.

The most likely cause is that you are in the process of abortion. Even though during abortion the embryo is non-viable, the hCG hormones that are already produced while it was viable are still circulating in the body which gives pregnancy test positive. It takes about 8-10 days for the pregnancy test to become negative after abortion.

The other possibility is that instead of baby in your womb, the embryo has developed in vesicular bunch called as molar pregnancy. In this condition also the pregnancy test is positive and still the bleeding starts.

Very rarely, even in normally growing pregnancy, some amount of bleeding occurs.

Are you passing whitish tissues in the bleeding?
Do you have/had pain in lower abdomen during this bleeding?
What is the colour of bleeding? Fresh red or brownish?
Are there grape like vesicles in the bleeding?

Please get ultrasonography done which will depict the exact cause.

I would appreciate if you upload your ultrasonography images and reports and also the answers to my questions. This will enable me to make differential diagnosis narrow and ultimately arrive at correct diagnosis.

I hope this will clarify some dilemma in your mind and will encourage to take further proper steps.

For any more information, I am always available for you dear.

Awaiting your reply.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Nishikant Shrotri (10 hours later)
positive tests were last weekend, pregnancy test today showed negative.
No whitish tissues, very mild cramping, blood is like a bright pink was brownish on the 12th on the 13th turned very bright pink
Nope nothing to resemble grapelike vessels
breasts are still tender and have been really dizzy the last few days, drinking like a gallon of water a day. no ultrasound yet. i did first response said i was 3 or 4 weeks pregnant last weekend
very sad...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nishikant Shrotri (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Abortion confirmed

Detailed Answer:
Hallow Dear,

The pregnancy tests were positive last week. Then you had bleeding - brown also. Now the tests are negative. This all confirms the diagnosis of abortion. The question is whether you have complete abortion or missed abortion.

You not noticed any whitish tissue in your bleeding, the bleeding was brown and the pregnancy test is negative. It is highly suggestive that the non-viable baby inside the womb still may not have been expelled out. This is known as missed abortion.

You will have to confirm by ultrasonography whether the remnants of the baby are still inside. Such condition is dangerous having complications like infection, bleeding disorders (DIC) and kidney failure. If it is missed abortion, please get your uterus evacuated from the Obstetrician.

May be before evacuation of the uterus, you will be submitted for investigating the bleeding and clotting profile. Please get it done.

Please do not stop at this stage of your diagnosis. Report to the Obstetrician. Get examined from the Obstetrician and ultrasonography to confirm whether you have missed abortion or you have aborted completely.

I am sure, I have provided you sufficient and clear information regarding your status of pregnancy and hope that you will take the due action.

If you are satisfied with the information, you may post review and rate me 5 stars.

For any more information, I am always available for you.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Answered by
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Dr. Nishikant Shrotri

OBGYN

Practicing since :1968

Answered : 2916 Questions

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What Can Cause A False Positive On A Home Pregnancy Test?

Brief Answer: Ukltrasonography will make the picture more clear Detailed Answer: Hi dear, Why do you think the test is FALSE positive? Probably because you are bleeding for past 6 days. Your tests were positive 7-8 days ago; i.e. before you started bleeding. The most likely cause is that you are in the process of abortion. Even though during abortion the embryo is non-viable, the hCG hormones that are already produced while it was viable are still circulating in the body which gives pregnancy test positive. It takes about 8-10 days for the pregnancy test to become negative after abortion. The other possibility is that instead of baby in your womb, the embryo has developed in vesicular bunch called as molar pregnancy. In this condition also the pregnancy test is positive and still the bleeding starts. Very rarely, even in normally growing pregnancy, some amount of bleeding occurs. Are you passing whitish tissues in the bleeding? Do you have/had pain in lower abdomen during this bleeding? What is the colour of bleeding? Fresh red or brownish? Are there grape like vesicles in the bleeding? Please get ultrasonography done which will depict the exact cause. I would appreciate if you upload your ultrasonography images and reports and also the answers to my questions. This will enable me to make differential diagnosis narrow and ultimately arrive at correct diagnosis. I hope this will clarify some dilemma in your mind and will encourage to take further proper steps. For any more information, I am always available for you dear. Awaiting your reply.