Can Twins Cause False Negative Pregnancy Test?

Receiving a negative result when you are trying to conceive can be frustrating. However, just because you received a negative pregnancy test result, it doesn’t mean that you are not pregnant. There are plenty of reasons why you may receive a false negative result, and if you are here, then you are most likely wondering: can twins cause a false negative pregnancy test result? This article will answer that question and more.

If you have a late period, negative pregnancy test & white discharge, we have the article for you!: Late Period, Negative Pregnancy Test & White Discharge – 7 Reasons Why.

In this article:

• How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
• Can Twins Cause a False Negative Pregnancy Test Result?
• Early Pregnancy Symptoms
• What Else Causes A False Negative Pregnancy Test?
• What Should I Do If I Believe I Received A False Negative Pregnancy Test Result?

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?

We all know how to use a pregnancy test: you pee on the end, wait a short period of time, and then the results window shows you whether or not you are pregnant. But how does it work?

When you become pregnant, your body goes through a lot of hormonal changes. One of these hormones that changes is called human chorionic gonadotropin- or hCG. It is the hCG hormone that- when high enough- is responsible for giving you a positive pregnancy test.

hCG begins to be produced once implantation occurs- the process where the fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining. You are able to accurately receive a positive pregnancy test result around 7 to 12 days after successful implantation.

On a pregnancy test, a positive result can be indicated by two lines, a cross, or even the word “pregnant” on a digital pregnancy test.

A negative pregnancy test can be indicated by just one line, or the words “not pregnant” on a digital pregnancy test. If you received a negative pregnancy test result, it does not necessarily mean that you are not pregnant; it may have been a false negative pregnancy test result.

 

Can Twins Cause a False Negative Pregnancy Test Result?

The short answer is yes: a twin pregnancy is able to cause a false negative pregnancy test result.

When you have twins or even triplets, your body will produce hCG in larger quantities. Whilst you might think that these high hCG levels will increase your chances of receiving a positive pregnancy test result- it can actually have the opposite effect!

Too much hCG can actually cause a false negative pregnancy test result, as it “confuses” the home pregnancy tests. This is called the high-dose hook effect.

Simply put, the antibodies on the pregnancy test strip become overwhelmed with the amount of hCG present, and show a false negative pregnancy test result.

Other causes of high hCG levels include a molar pregnancy, miscalculation of dates or a placental tumour.

 

Early Pregnancy Symptoms

If you believe you might be pregnant with twins, then you can ask your doctor to perform a blood test to check your hCG levels. Looking out for symptoms of pregnancy may also give you some insight into whether or not you might be pregnant, if home pregnant tests fail.

Below are the pregnancy symptoms you may experience during early pregnancy:

• Mild cramping (implantation cramping)
• Tender breasts
• Implantation bleeding
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Implantation Dip

You can read about signs of having twins at 5 weeks on our website.

What Else Causes A False Negative Pregnancy Test?

Whilst carrying multiple pregnancies can cause a false negative pregnancy test result, there are also several over potential causes too!

If you have had a faint positive pregnancy test and then negative the next day, there are plenty of reasons for that too.

The Pregnancy Test Was Taken Too Early.

We know that the two-week wait can feel like a tortuous eternity, so it is natural to want to test early. However, taking a pregnancy test too early can give you a false negative result, as there will be less hCG in your urine. If you test earlier than the first day of your missed period and receive a negative pregnancy test result, you should test again later to be sure that the results were accurate.

You Did Not Follow the Pregnancy Test Instructions Correctly.

Following the home pregnancy test instructions correctly is important; every manufacturer provides their own set of instructions for using their pregnancy tests. For example, one pregnancy test may specify that you need to dip the pregnancy test in urine for 3 seconds, whilst another might encourage you to hold it under your urine stream for 5 seconds.

It is important that you follow these instructions so the tests can detect pregnancy accurately.

The Pregnancy Test was Faulty.

Home pregnancy tests are usually highly reliable and accurate. However, if you use a pregnancy test that has expired, or been stored under incorrect conditions (they should be stored between 2 and 30 degrees celcius), then they may return an incorrect result.

If you are trying to decide what type of pregnancy test to use, why not check out our article: Are Digital Pregnancy Tests More Accurate?

Ovulation was Delayed

It may be that you are actually pregnant, but ovulation was late this month, delaying implantation (and the production of hCG, which is responsible for giving you a positive pregnancy test result). You should test again on the first day of your missed period (or later) to ensure your results are accurate.

 

What Should I Do If I Believe I Received A False Negative Pregnancy Test Result?

If you have doubts that your pregnancy test result was inaccurate and that you may have received a false positive or a false negative, you can take these steps to ensure that positive results are received from now on:

• Test again at a later date.
• Make sure to read the pregnancy test instructions carefully.
• Take another pregnancy test.

If your period is late, you have a negative pregnancy test and white discharge, why not check out our article, Late Period, Negative Pregnancy Test & White Discharge – 7 Reasons Why? or Negative Pregnancy Test Turned Positive After Several Hours?