How do pregnancy test strips work?
Pregnancy tests detect the presence of hCG hormone produced by cells formed in the placenta after the embryo implantation.
When to test?
The time in your menstrual cycle:
The amount of hCG increases rapidly during the first weeks of the pregnancy. Pregnancy test strip will detect the presence of hCG in your urine as early as the first day of a missed period. The test strip can accurately detect pregnancy when the level of hCG is between 25mIU/ml to 500,000mIU/ml.
Time of the day:
Morning is the best time to use pregnancy tests, as the first morning urine usually contains the highest concentration of hCG. However, the sample collected at any time of the day may be used.
How to use Pregnancy test strips
Collect a small amount of urine in a clean container. Dip the end of pregnancy test strip into the collected sample. Don’t immerse it past the max line. Keep it in the sample for about 10 seconds.
Put the pregnancy test strip flat on a clean dry surface and leave it for 3 to 5 minutes, and read the result right after. If you leave it for too long, the result may be inaccurate.
* Discard with your regular rubbish after testing.
Interpreting results
Positive: Two distinct red lines will appear, one in the test region (T) and another in the control region (C). If the test line is weak, it is recommended to repeat the test with the first morning urine 48-72 hours later. The positive test confirms that there are hCG levels present in your blood. You can assume that you are pregnant. We recommend contacting your GP to confirm your pregnancy with a blood test.
Negative: Only one red line appears in the control region (C). No visible second line in the test region (T). There is no hCG present in your blood. You either have tested too early or you may be not pregnant. There is also a chance of a false negative (see below).
Invalid: The result is invalid if no red line appears in the control region (C), even if a line appears in the test region (T). Please repeat the test using new pregnancy test strip. The usual reason for an invalid result is insufficient urine sample. If you get a few invalid tests in a row, please email us a picture of the test, so that we can assess and help you with this.
Further notes
False negative:
1. False-negative readings can occur when testing is done too early. In order to get the most accurate results, it is a good idea to wait for about a week after your period is due. This allows more time for hCG to build up in your urine leading to a more accurate result.
2. Drinking too much fluid before testing may cause a false-negative reading. For the most accurate results, take a test the first thing in the morning when your urine is the most concentrated.
False positive:
- Certain fertility medications which contain hCG (such as Pregnyl, Profasi, Novarel) can give a false-positive result. Alcohol, oral contraceptives, birth control pills, analgesics (painkillers), antibiotics or hormone therapies that do not contain hCG should not affect the test result.
- A number of medical conditions like ovarian cysts, choriocarcinoma or ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus) can cause elevated levels of hCG.
- Using the test strip within 8 weeks of giving birth or shortly after the miscarriage may also cause a false positive result.
Warnings
- Please read the instruction in full before testing.
- Do not use the pregnancy test after the expiry date.
- Do not open the sealed foil pouch until you are ready to start the test.
- Do not touch the membrane located within the Result Region.
- Final clinical diagnosis should not be based on the results of a urine test but should be confirmed by a GP after all clinical and lab findings have been evaluated.
- Do not reuse the test strip.
- Discard with your regular rubbish after testing.
- For in vitro diagnostic use only.
- All urine specimens and used strip should be considered potentially infectious and avoided contact with skin.