AIBU to ask another lateral flow question

[zyxwvutsrq]

Has anyone had this...
No symptoms, I've taken 6 lateral flow tests today and they've been positive, negative, positive (very faint), negative, negative and negative!
I've ordered a PCR test and isolating but wondering how on earth I've got such inconsistent results!
Here's a photo of the first 4.

I've just managed to order LFTs in the last 5 mins

Thanks for your replies. Yes I agree 6 was a few too many but I'm sure others would have done 'best of 3' if they didn't have any symptoms. Just for info I don't order them online as I need to test for work so that's where I get them from.

there are some left, i ordered a box to be delivered earlier on the government website.

@Hadjab

There isn’t a shortage of LFTs - it’s actually the ordering system that has crashed, that’s why you’re getting that message.

And before you ask, two of my kids work in the NHS, in different hospitals, and loads of friends, and this what they have been told by management.

The outcome is the same, it's hard to get hold of them. Everyone's tax still pays for them anyway, so the notion ah I'll take 6 even though I'm getting a more accurate text is odd.

@Thingsthatgo

I have a problem with the LFTs, and have had a number of faint positives over the last few months. None of them were confirmed with a pcr (and no symptoms at all). There’s a thread about it on mumsnet, some people seem to get faint positives a lot, sometimes linked with acid reflux, but I’ve no evidence for that, just speculation.

I am one of those people - I have consistently tested positive since the start of October on LFT. Test and Trace acknowledge I am not alone - and advise to do a weekly PCR to check for covid instead - until I test negative. Doesn't seem to happen on the old style ones though 🤷‍♀️

@SoupDragon

There have been people on MN proudly saying that they/their mother/whoever has been ordering a box every day in case they are no longer free or run out. Blame them.

They haven't run out though - they've said the issue is delivery capacity not volume?

Can't order LFTs on the government site again...

@zyxwvutsrq

Thanks for your replies. Yes I agree 6 was a few too many but I'm sure others would have done 'best of 3' if they didn't have any symptoms. Just for info I don't order them online as I need to test for work so that's where I get them from.

I wouldn't have done best of 3 as one positive LFT means you need a PCR. There's no point doing any more LFTs. Whatever the result you need a PCR.

LFT are obviously not infallible.
They indicate AFAIK that you are shedding virus and a PCR will confirm if you have it.
However you can check at 0600 negative on an LFT and be positive at another time in the day. The virus doesn't have a clock!

Agree you need a PCR.

We've had 4 people at work in the last week who have had positive lft's followed by 2 negative PCR. Also my husband has had 3 positive lft in the past 6 months followed by negative PCR. While it used to be true that you were unlikely to get a false positive on lft that's certainly not the case anymore whatever the reason for that may be.

@zyxwvutsrq have you had your PCR result? I have had yet another positive LFT today and I’m booked in to have a PCR later today. It’s really beginning to piss me off now.

@zyxwvutsrq

Thanks for your replies. Yes I agree 6 was a few too many but I'm sure others would have done 'best of 3' if they didn't have any symptoms. Just for info I don't order them online as I need to test for work so that's where I get them from.

No, I've done just the one when I have no symptoms. I guess it's a good thing you do more, though, given this outcome.

They are notoriously unreliable for false negatives, though. Not for false positives. So I'd say you almost certainly do have covid, but LFTs are shit.

Just to update - the results of my PCR test came back negative! So maybe false positive lateral flow are more common than we think!

[quote Thingsthatgo]@zyxwvutsrq have you had your PCR result? I have had yet another positive LFT today and I’m booked in to have a PCR later today. It’s really beginning to piss me off now.[/quote]
Have you had your results back yet?

Also had a false positive LFT on flowlflex and negative on older LFT tests and PCR.

Seriously? If you get a positive you leave it at that and do a PCR. The PCR is your “double check”. Ffs

My DD had a negative PCR which she took because DH and I tested positive. She was certain she had it though and thought maybe she’d done the PCR too soon.

Sure enough, two days later and her LTF is positive.

@zyxwvutsrq
Yes, my PCR came back negative too. I wasn’t surprised, but it is so frustrating.
It seems worse when I take the LFT first thing in the morning.... I’ve had most of my false positives then.
I’ve got some new LFTs in a white and green box called Orient Gene. They haven’t given me a false positive yet, so I am hopeful that these are better for me.

@zyxwvutsrq

Thanks for your replies. Yes I agree 6 was a few too many but I'm sure others would have done 'best of 3' if they didn't have any symptoms. Just for info I don't order them online as I need to test for work so that's where I get them from.

No I wouldn't I'd have ordered a PCR test. What a waste!!!

YABU, post on the Covid board

[quote Thingsthatgo]@zyxwvutsrq
Yes, my PCR came back negative too. I wasn’t surprised, but it is so frustrating.
It seems worse when I take the LFT first thing in the morning.... I’ve had most of my false positives then.
I’ve got some new LFTs in a white and green box called Orient Gene. They haven’t given me a false positive yet, so I am hopeful that these are better for me.[/quote]
Good news it was negative
Thanks for the info about those other lateral flows

@zyxwvutsrq

Just to update - the results of my PCR test came back negative! So maybe false positive lateral flow are more common than we think!

Are you sure you don’t want another 5 tests to be sure ?

Your poor nose and tonsils must be in shreds!!