Superdrug own brand Pregancy Tests should be recalled from sale

[DuchessK]

I have been TTC for years, tried different things last month so when my period was late I bought a pregnancy test, I was in Superdrug and chose their own brand one only because it has pink lines, I read on here that the blue lines are easier to misread and that pink was better..

Anyhow I took the test, followed the instructions perfectly and got 2 pink lines, a positive result, to say that I was delighted was an understatement. I checked my dates and it meant that I would be 4 weeks.

However.... I had a niggling doubt, as we sometimes do so I went to Boots and bought more pregnancy tests, twin pack got a negative results, today I bought 2 more, this time an expensive brand and again negative.

When testing using these type of pregnancy tests the results are meant to be 99% accurate, so much so that the GP surgery won't normally doubt the result or retest but will refer for a 12 week scan (in normal circumstances obviously).

If I hadn't of retested I would have spent the next 8 weeks thinking that I was pregnant.

So I go to the Superdrug website, read the reviews and it seems that these tests give false positive results, Superdrug's response is to offer a refund and they are still on the shelves being sold to people like me!

AIBU to think that Superdrug should take this more seriously and recall the product while they investigate?

Yes it could be a chemical pregnancy but I tested straight away with another product, my hormones wouldn't disappear within a few minutes would they? Plus the other other reviews too?

[HallowedMimic]

Did you test with first morning urine?

To be honest, if you got a positive, I'd assume the other tests were just less sensitive or that you hadn't tested with FMU.

The test is only responding to the markers present in your urine, it can't react if they are not there - you'd get no response, or a test failure indication if it was a dodgy test.

[RedSkyAtNight]

99% accurate means that they are 1% inaccurate.

You wouldn't have spent the next 8 weeks thinking you were pregnant. Your period would have started and/or you would have wondered why you had no other symptoms.

[snotato]

That is awful and they should definitely recall the product.
I'm sorry they gave you false hope,but I'm glad you didn't go to the 12 week scan to find no baby.
it's so bad that they know how inaccurate their tests are,yet they still haven't discontinued them.

[TheGentleMoose]

99% accurate means that they are 1% inaccurate This. Any false positives would fall into that 1%.

I don't think there is a pregnancy test that is 100% accurate.

Sorry to hear TTC has been such a long journey for you OP, hope it happens for you soon.

[Girlwiththearabstrap]

I didn't think you could get a false positive. The test reacts to hormones in your urine so I don't see what could cause a reaction if they weren't there if that makes sense?

Maybe try a digital test first thing in the morning. I hope you get your positive.

[SaucyJack]

^^That's assuming the tests work correctly Mimic.

YANBU. It's probably a faulty batch or summat- but they should definitely withdraw them. False positives are monumentally awful for both those wanting positive and negative results.

[Polkadot1974]

If they've been found to be faulty then they should be recalled. I thought false positives were very rare. Hoping you get a positive soon

[Justmadeperfectflapjacks]

Did you use clear blue most recently? They need a level of 25 or more to get a positive result.. Cheap ones can be as sensitive as 10. You aren't out til af shows.

[MyKingdomForBrie]

redsky ffs what is wrong with you?! How on earth did OP deserve a shitty response for being really disappointed? Yes something would probably have intervened to make her test again but you must be able to understand what that positive would have meant to her?

Read reviews of Superdrug tests - they are not 99% accurate and false positives are absolutely not normal, the 1% is nearly always a false negative.

[TheGentleMoose]

Are you currently using an fertility supplements? These can lead to false positives. Along with leaving the test to long.

[pattimayonnaise]

Have you actually come on your period? I didn't read that you had, so how do you know you're definitely not pregnant if not?
Sorry if you have and haven't mentioned this

[RedSkyAtNight]

I thought I was reassuring OP that she wouldn't have been left thinking she was pregnant for 12 weeks ... not quite sure why my response was in the least bit shitty?! She says herself that she didn't really trust the test!

Her AIBU was not about being disappointed, but whether the pregnancy tests should be recalled ...

[harderandharder2breathe]

Nobody would review a pregnancy test unless it was wrong. So I wouldn't assume that because there are only negative reviews that it's a reflection of the general satisfaction.

I'm sorry it was a false positive but these things happen and it doesn't mean the whole brand should be recalled.

[StarHeartDiamond]

Mykingdom - I didn't think redsky was being shitty, just factual. op USC understandably upset however adding to the upset by imagining the next 8?weeks would have been spent "being pregnant" when not, makes it seem all the more upsetting/worse, what redsky said was true OP hasn't spent the last 8 weeks etc etc but would she be likely to if not pregnant.

[StarHeartDiamond]

*op is

[DuchessK]

No I am not on fertility supplements. No period yet, which isn't unusual and part of the fertility battle however GP blood test ruled out pregnancy.

I would just chalk this up to experience/fluke/one of the 1% inaccurate tests but when looking at the reviews online it seems that Superdrug definitely are being made aware of the issue yet they are still on the shelves...

If anyone else has experienced similar then could you write a review or make them aware?

[StarHeartDiamond]

*and she wouldn't be likely to . Argh!

[TheGentleMoose]

@DuchessK Is the GP going to do a repeat blood test 48 hours later to check whether levels are rising / falling?

[HallowedMimic]

mykingdom , Redsky's response wasn't the least bit shitty.

One might ask what is wrong with you - complete with the obligatory 'ffs'.

[Instasista]

I'm really miffed as to how you can get a false positive- how can it detect a hormone that isn't there? It must surely be faulty, not inaccurate?

Sorry to hear you had your hopes up OP. That really sucks

[user1493022461]

Redskys post was perfectly accurate and fine. How would OP have spent another 8 weeks thinking she was pregnant? Surely the swift arrival of a period (not to mention another one a month later) would have alerted her?

[PaulAnkaTheDog]

What a weird comment to RedSky MyKingdom, slightly bizarre reaction from you there.

Op I'm really sorry you got your hopes up and we're left disappointed. Like another poster said though, people are more likely to leave negative reviews than positive reviews on things like pregnancy tests, so those reviews really aren't a great reflection of their accuracy.

[TheGentleMoose]

@Instasista The most common way is that the test is left too long before looking for the lines. There are other ways (fertility treatment creating the hormone spike, or reasons why HCG is showing but you aren't pregnant (residual from previous miscarriage, or early miscarriage in same cycle).

[DuchessK]

I am not saying that they should be recalled forever but whilst they investigate it, their breezy responses on the website are really grating. Superdrug can keep the their £6.49.

I have never had a false positive before nor thought it was clinically possible as other posters have said.

Redsky you are fine, I understood you.