Factors Affecting Pregnancy Test Accuracy

Most women who hope to get pregnant can not wait to check for pregnancy possibilities. Nowadays, they able to get informed whether they’re pregnant or not through a pregnancy test which available in many stores and pharmacies. These various brand of pregnancy test are claiming to give the most exact results to decide pregnancy status. But in fact, pregnancy test accuracy may vary. This article focuses on factors affecting pregnancy test accuracy.

Pregnancy test works by measuring the level of hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) hormone in the body. hCG hormone are present in urine and blood, so pregnancy detection can use these two fluids as indicator. The presence of hCG in a normal woman can’t be detected because of its lower quantity, but the body will produce large amount of hCG during conception. The production and secretion of hCG will double every two days during the first few weeks of pregnancy. That’s why you can repeat the test if you doubt with the previous pregnancy test accuracy to make sure of the result.

Although some people believe that this test is not probably exact due to the test kit error, there are actually many factors affecting. Below are some of the factors that may affect the pregnancy test accuracy:

• Different sensitivity levels. Pregnancy test may have different sensitivity, so it’s important to choose one with higher sensitivity. As your guidance, pregnancy test which can detect 20 mIU hCG/ml is more sensitive than 50-100 mIU/ml.
• Test Timing. Taking the test too early can give false result, the best thing to do is taking test several days after sexual intercourse. First urine in the morning is the best sample to be tested while at that moment, hCG concentration is in the highest amount.
• Correct Usage. Using pregnancy test differently from what told in the manufacturer’s instruction may also affect the pregnancy test result accuracy.