Negative tests but continued "unusual" symptoms?!

[Unsure31]

Just wondering if anyone could advise if they waited a long time to get a positive pregnancy test (urine or blood) and if so how long?! How many weeks pregnant can the tests still show up as negative and has it happened to you or anyone you know?!

I've been having a variety of symptoms for more than 6 weeks now (on and off): stomach cramps, back ache, extreme tiredness, tired legs, headaches, newly arrived spots, metallic taste, change in bowel movements, occasional mild nausea and now have on and off boob tenderness. Friends who have been pregnant have confirmed similar symptoms before missed periods.

I've done several home urine tests - all negative. I've been to the doc and had blood test - still negative. Had a short, light, late period a couple of weeks ago.

By my estimation conception date would be on or around 22nd September. We are not trying to conceive and I've never been pregnant before hence my confusion!

[JoJoSM2]

At the very latest a test would be positive 14 days after fertilisation provided you take it properly- fmu, pee in a container and put the test in +time it.

If you hear stories of tests not coming up till week 5 or 6, it’s either rubbish tests from years ago or women not taking them properly.

It’s possible to get psychosomatic ‘symptoms’ if you’re desperate to be pregnant and talk yourself into it. Alternatively, there could be sth else going on medically giving you unusual symptoms.

[Unsure31]

Thanks. As I said I'm not trying to get pregnant so it's not case of talking myself in to it! Just when symptoms disappear and I think it's all just coincidental something else pops up. The emotional ups and downs are inexplicable and the general feeling of "weirdness" is difficult to explain without sounding like a hypochondriac.

All tests have been taken correctly and at appropriate intervals (including at doctors) so I guess it must be something else. The reason I started a new post was to gauge whether the stories of people being 6, 7 or 13+ weeks pregnant with no positive tests were actually accurate or due to incorrect testing or hope. I can only imagine if you are trying to conceive how your mind can play tricks on you and you start to feel every niggle or twinge is a "sign".

[JoJoSM2]

Well, late in the first trimester a negative pee stick is possible if someone has ver very high hCG levels (hook effect). I think that would only affect a very small proportion of ladies around 10-12 weeks with unusually high hormone levels, though.

[Unsure31]

Hmmm yes very unusual. Will have to wait and see - perhaps doctor can find an explanation.

However I would still be interested to know if anyone has experienced lots of symptoms with negative tests and if so how long for....for future reference!

[DenPerry]

I have felt all my usual symptoms on quite a few occasions of not being pregnant... either I really want to be pregnant and convince myself I am for those two weeks, or I really don’t want to be pregnant and I’m worrying about it! It’s so bizarre.. sickness, exhaustion, sore boobs, crying etc.. the mind is a powerful thing.

[TerrifyingFeistyCupcake]

There are a very few women that HCG urine tests don't work for until relatively late - say, 2-3 weeks after period is due. That's presumably due to their urine not reflecting the level of HCG in their blood. But if there's no HCG in your blood, you are definitively classed as not pregnant.

Many of the "symptoms" you describe are actually caused by progesterone rather than HCG and often occur other than when you are pregnant.