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Early-Detection Home Pregnancy Tests

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HPTs - All Your Questions Answered

 

The universe of pregnancy testing has definitely been transformed over the past few years. Home pregnancy tests (HPTs) are not only more affordable than they used to be, they are much more sensitive - and that means you can test earlier. This special article is not only dedicated to "updatng" you on recent changes in HPT technology, but to answering every question you might have about the home pregnancy test - from how they work to how early you can begin testing, from accuracy rates to various testing tips to ensure you are getting optimum results. We'll also offer our thoughts on which pregnancy test brands we recommend for women who are trying-to-conceive...


How does a Pregnancy Test Work?

In a nutshell, a home pregnancy test detects a special "pregnancy hormone" called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. This hormone is released by the placenta (the tissue surrounding the developing baby) the moment you become pregnant, when the fertilized egg first "implants" in the uterine lining of the womb. Once the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, the production of hCG increases rapidly and doubles in a woman's body about every 24 hours. hCG will soon show up in a woman's circulatory system and ultimately in her urine. A home pregnancy test will tell you when the "pregnancy hormone" in your urine reaches a certain concentration - and when this sensitivity threshold is crossed, you'll see your first positive result. Congratulations!


For the purposes of this article, one fact is important to remember: The date of "implantation" (when a pregnancy begins) is not the same as the date of conception. Conception - the union of egg and sperm - typically takes place within 24 hours of ovulation. Implantation, on the other hand, may take up to six days or more after conception. The fertilized egg needs time to develop before it can actually implant in the womb. Therefore, the hCG hormone will not become present in urine until after the egg implants in the uterus - typically around a week after ovulation. This fact will be important later when we discuss how early you can take a pregnancy test.


Pregnancy Test Sensitivity: Do I Need to Wait for a Missed Period?


Test sensitivity is defined as the specified hCG level at which a given pregnancy test will respond with a "positive" result. The lower the "sensitivity number", the higher the sensitivity of the test. In other words, a lower sensitivity number requires less hCG to "trigger" a positive result, so if you are seeking increased sensitivity and earlier results, select the test with the lower test sensitivity number. In the old days, just a few years back, most pregnancy tests had a sensitivity level of well over 100mIU/hCG (mIU = International Units, a measurement standard). Today, newer home diagnostic kits offer a sensitivity level of 20mIU/hCG - which means that you can begin testing accurately much sooner!


Clinical pregnancy tests available on the Internet are actually more sensitive (20mIU) - and much more affordable - than traditional drugstore brands. Better yet, these higher sensitivity tests are both FDA-approved and over 99 ccurate in clinical settings. And what's nice about ordering online is privacy and discretion. The only person who need know that you are ordering tests is you!

The more sensitive tests on the market today are able to detect the hCG hormone in urine at the 20mIU/hCG level. And this means you do not need to wait for a missed period - a great relief for many a woman whose patience has grown thin after months of trying-to-conceive. 20mIU is, in our opinion, a very smart sensitivity threshold. This is the amount of hCG typically present in a pregnant woman's urine at between 7 to 10 days past ovulation. If you are bbt charting with a basal thermometer, then you will know when you have ovulated and therefore when to start pregnancy testing. Take a look below at a "sensitivity chart" to compare various test brands.

Early Pregnancy Tests.com = 20 mIU/hCG
e.p.t. Home Pregnancy Test = 40 mIU/hCG
e.p.t. Certainty Digital Test = 40 mIU/hCG
Clearblue Digital = 50 mIU/hCG
Dollar Store Brand Pregnancy Test = 50 mIU/hCG
Target Brand = 50mIU/hCG
WalMart Brand = 50 mIU/hCG
Walgreens = 100 mIU/hCG

When is the Earliest I Can Test?

If you are like most women, you want to learn as soon as possible if you are pregnant, particularly if you are actively TTC (trying-to-conceive a baby). That's why higher-sensitivity tests are now quite popular in the TTC world. So when can I start testing for pregnancy? If you are using a 20 mIU/hCG sensitivity pregnancy test, you can begin testing at between seven and ten days past ovulation - shortly after the fertilized egg "implants" in the uterus. This is well before your missed period, and a clear advantage over the classic drugstore brands which may still ask you to wait until you miss that period.

Now, if you do elect to test on the early side, please note that there are a few variables that may delay a first positive result - and this goes for any test brand. First, the date of implantation (discussed above) may vary among women. No two pregnancies are exactly the same! For some women, the fertilized egg will implant just a handful of days after ovulation and for other women, it may take a week or so. Second, a differing rate of hCG production may also be a factor. In short, if you do test on the early side, it is always suggested to confirm any result with follow up tests - not a problem with today's affordable clinical test strips. Also, see our "tips" section below to make sure you are getting the most accurate results - sooner.


Affordability!

Today's tests are also much more affordable than the products of the past - particularly the generic "One-Step" clinical varieties of testing products. Also, new clinical test strips offer the same accuracy and reliability of a classical midstream test, but they come in a simple, dip-strip format (these are the same kind of tests found in your doctor's office or clinic). The only difference between the pregnancy test strip and the classical self-contained midstream test is that you need to collect the urine sample in a cup rather than pee directly on the test itself. With a test strip, you simply dip the tip of the kit in a urine sample. The actual test material and mode of interpretation is identical to the hand-held midstream formats, with identical 99Ùlus accuracy as well. One note: If you do elect to use the test strip, simply ensure your collection cup is clean, dry, and free of any residual soap or washing detergent.

Using a Pregnancy Test and Testing Tips

Gone are the days of the chemistry sets that passed for pregnancy tests just a decade or two ago! Using a pregnancy test today is easy as can be - though you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. With the all-in-one midstream test, you simply hold the kit directly in your urine steam. With the compact strips, you collect urine in a cup and simply dip the tip of the test into the liquid. With both tests, the urine migrates through a testing material (called a reagent). With every test, you should see a "Control" line that indicates the kit is functioning properly. If the hCG content in the urine exceeds the given sensitivity threshold, then you will see a "Test" line/symbol that indicates a positive result. Depending on the concentration of hCG, the test line may be faint or bold. The more hCG present, the bolder the test line or positive symbol!

To optimize test results, there are a few well-known testing tips identified by all the major manufacturers. If you follow these very simple suggestions, you can ensure that you are getting the earliest accurate results possible - and avoid any opportunity for "false" results. Typically, a false result is caused by failing to follow instructions or testing too early.

First, each test has a given reaction time. After using the test, you need to interpret the result within the time frame specified in the instructions. The reaction time is typically between 5 and 10 minutes. Once the reaction time has passed, you should not attempt to ascertain a result.

Second, using first morning urine is the smart way to test for pregnancy. That's because your body has been accumulating urine all night while you sleep and this urine should contain the strongest concentration of the hCG hormone.

Third, hold your urine! If for some reason you can't use first morning urine (or if you pee frequently at night), then you can test at any time during the day, but you should "hold" your urine for at least a few hours before testing. In addition, try not too drink too much water or liquids directly prior to testing. This can "dilute" the sample and postpone the arrival an early positive result.

Last but not least, one of the most common questions about home pregnancy testing is: Can over prescription or over-the-counter drugs interfere with a pregnancy test result? Essentially, only a few hCG-containing fertility drugs can interfere with a pregnancy test. Drugs containing hCG may cause a false positive result. The most common fertility drug, clomid, does not fall in this category and will not cause a false result. There are no other over-the-counter drugs that can cause issues with home pregnancy tests, nor will herbal medications or any foods.

For women who are actively trying-to-conceive, we do recommend the high-sensitivity pregnancy tests, which will allow you to test earlier. For women who are a bit late or have missed a period, sensitivity levels are not quite as significant an issue. However, if you are seeking both a 20 mIU/hCG and discretion, ordering FDA-approved tests kits from Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com is the way to go. We wish you the best in your TTC efforts!

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