Is the ‘Hook Effect’ Causing Your Home Pregnancy Test to Fail
What is the Hook Effect in a Pregnancy Test?
The hook effect is a phenomenon that causes pregnancy tests to present false negatives. It generally happen when BHCG is more than 5,00,000 mIU/mL. Making you think you are not pregnant when you actually are. It is a name for a lab test glitch that causes a false result. The hook effect can happen early in your pregnancy or, in rare cases, the third semester.
This happens due to hormonal factors. When you are pregnant, your body produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). It is made when the fertilized egg burrows into the walls of your uterus and gets impanted. This hormone increases in quantity as the embryo grows.
Pregnancy tests pick up the presence of hCG in your blood or urine if you are pregnant, resulting in a positive result. However if you have an excess amount of hCG then you can get the hook effect. This is because the large concentration of hCG in your body overpowers the pregnancy test making it show a false negative.
This happens due to hormonal factors. When you are pregnant, your body produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). It is made when the fertilized egg burrows into the walls of your uterus and gets impanted. This hormone increases in quantity as the embryo grows.
Pregnancy tests pick up the presence of hCG in your blood or urine if you are pregnant, resulting in a positive result. However if you have an excess amount of hCG then you can get the hook effect. This is because the large concentration of hCG in your body overpowers the pregnancy test making it show a false negative.
Why do Some Pregnant Women have Excess Human Chorionic GonadCG?
Women who are carrying more than one baby have an excess of the hCG hormone. This is because each foetus is making this hormone in your body. Fertility medications can also raise your levels of hCG which can give incorrect results in your pregnancy tests.
Another cause of high hCG is a molar pregnancy. A molar pregnancy happens when the cells of the placenta grow too much. Such a pregnancy can also cause fluid filled cysts to grow inside the womb.
Another cause of high hCG is a molar pregnancy. A molar pregnancy happens when the cells of the placenta grow too much. Such a pregnancy can also cause fluid filled cysts to grow inside the womb.
At EVA IVF & Women’s Centre
Pregnancy and fertility care is provided by expert fertility care professionals. If clinical history and urine pregnancy test does not match, consult the specialist to make proper deliveries.