Hospital Pregnancy Tests: Accuracy & Potential False Positives

Yes, hospital pregnancy tests can be wrong, although they are generally very accurate.

False-positive results:

- Medications: Some medications that are used to treat fertility issues can interfere with pregnancy testing and lead to false positive results. These include human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) medications and clomiphene citrate.

- Medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as pituitary gland disorders, can cause high levels of hCG in the blood or urine, which can lead to a false positive pregnancy test result.

False-negative results:

- Too early: If you take a pregnancy test too early in your pregnancy, the level of hCG in your blood or urine may not be high enough to be detected by the test.

- Improper test administration: If you do not follow the instructions for the test correctly, it may give an incorrect result.

It is important to confirm a positive pregnancy test result with your healthcare provider. They can perform additional tests, such as a blood test, to confirm the pregnancy and determine your estimated due date.