Faint Positive Pregnancy Test: Causes & FAQs

A pregnancy test functions simply- one line means no, and two means yes. But sometimes, you can find faint lines on the test, making it hard to figure out the exact result. Faint lines on a pregnancy test are not uncommon, and the reason can be as simple as doing the test too early. However, to further delve into the reasons behind the faint lines, it is always good to understand the principles on which a pregnancy test works.

Video: Do Faint Lines on the Pregnancy Test Indicate Pregnancy?

How Does a Faint Line on a Pregnancy Test Look Like?

A faint line on the pregnancy test is like a light streak that is either pink or blue, depending on the colour of the test results. These lines are barely visible and look like a chalk smudge.

What Causes Faint Lines on the Pregnancy Test

Most pregnancy tests available in the market are very accurate, and some of them can give an indication on the very first day of a missed period itself. The common pregnancy tests analyze the urine of the subject, looking for the presence of the hormone called hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). This hormone is released when a fertilised egg attaches to the signalling the beginning of a pregnancy. Other than the urine test, the blood test is also another common and reliable method to determine pregnancy.

Also, determine how “faint” is faint. Compare it to the first line, and if there is a drastic difference, you have a faint indicator line.

Before you jump to conclusions after seeing the faint lines, make sure you remember a few things about pregnancy tests. There are many reasons why a faint line can appear.

• Misreading the instructions: It is natural to miss an instruction or two, especially when using the test for the first time. Faint lines can result from not having used the test properly. In such instances, repeating the test is enough.
• Hastiness: Maybe you were in a hurry and did not wait for the prescribed period of time before you threw the test into the bin after seeing faint lines.
• Reading at incorrect time slots: If you are not reading the results within the time slots suggested, the test may show evaporation lines, which appear faintly. Evaporation lines are caused by urine, and if you are late in reading the tests, these lines may appear.
• Taking the test too early: The lines may appear faintly if you have taken the test too early. It is advised to wait for a few days and take the test again to confirm. Testing is ideally done ten days after ovulation or after it has been confirmed that you missed a period.
• Faulty kit: Sometimes, the test you are using may not have been stored properly or may have a manufacturing defect, so you may not get a clear reading. Check the expiry date of the test. If it is past that, its efficacy has decreased.

• You may have taken the test at the wrong time of the day:  It is advised that urine pregnancy tests should be taken in the morning when the urine is concentrated, and any presence of hCG will typically be high.
• Low hCG levels: A faint line could also mean that your body is creating less than the optimum amounts of the hCG hormones.
• Inaccurate calculations: Faint lines could be the result of using a test after miscalculating the period cycle.
• Lower efficient test kits: Some pregnancy tests are more accurate than others. There are tests that can detect an hCG amount as small as 20 mIU, while some tests will need to detect at least 100 mIU to show a result. Hence, you may get faint lines because of these different sensitivity levels to the hormone. Before buying a pregnancy test kit for the next round of tests, do some research on online forums and pick up the brands known for being sensitive. If the next lines are darker, your pregnancy is positive. If they are still faint, you may need to see your doctor.
• Early miscarriage: Faint lines could also appear after an early miscarriage when traces of the hormone are still in your system.
• Medication: Medication like Thorazine and a range of fertility drugs may result in faint lines. The faint lines on the test can appear for those undergoing fertility treatments. You should reach out to your doctor in such a case.

• Presence of a tumour: In very rare cases, some tumours result in the production of hCG, which will be detected in the test and result in faint lines.

Does a Faint Line on Pregnancy Test Indicate Pregnancy?

A faint line may indicate pregnancy, but it can also point to an early miscarriage as the test only picks up the hCG hormone traces. The only way for you to determine what is happening is to repeat the test every day. If the lines get darker, it means the onset of pregnancy is starting to resemble a typical development. If the lines stay faint, you need to consult a physician immediately.

Does a Light Line on Pregnancy Test Indicate a False Positive?

A faint line may also result from any medication or evaporation lines. If you are taking multiple tests over time and the faint lines only appear a few times, it was most likely a false positive. An extremely faint line is not an affirmation of pregnancy, but it should be investigated. The best way is to wait a few days and take the test again.

The faint line on the pregnancy test not getting darker could be an indicator that there is a hormonal imbalance. This is an indicator of a chemical pregnancy, which describes an early miscarriage.

What to Do If You Get a Faint Line Pregnancy Test

If you get a faint line on the pregnancy test, it’s advisable to wait for another week and retake the test. This is because the HCG levels may not be so high that they can be detected by the pregnancy test. Or you could visit your medical healthcare provider to take a blood test which can detect even low levels of HCG.

How Can You Avoid Getting Faint Lines on a Pregnancy Test?

You can avoid getting faint lines of the pregnancy test by following these tips.

1. Use a digital pregnancy test which is easier to read and simply spells out the results.
2. Take the pregnancy test first thing in the morning, as the HCG levels are concentrated then.
3. Follow the instructions in the user manual, as different tests have different sensitivities.
4. Avoid drinking too many liquids as it could dilute the HCG levels making it difficult for the pregnancy test to pick it up.

FAQ

1. How long after a faint positive should I test again?

After a faint positive, you can take the test again after 4-5 days or a week. Or you can take a blood test for more accurate results.

The most important part of dealing with situations where you are uncertain about the test result is to inform yourself from the right sources. Websites and articles help narrow down possibilities but cannot be substituted for professional feedback. Take your time with multiple tests, and of course, consult your gynaecologist. Nothing can replace professional feedback.

Also Read:

Evaporation Line On Pregnancy Test
False Positive Pregnancy Test
False Negative Pregnancy Test
Positive Pregnancy Test But No Symptoms- Is it Possible?