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Original poster

Test line darker than control line

26 replies

Bee1710 · 02/04/2020 22:36

Hi,
I took test 2 days late (top 2) and 3 days late (bottom 2). The test line is darker than the control line isn't it the opposite? Have they mistakenly placed the strip opposite way so the control line is actually the test line. Also the 2nd and 4th test I took after holding pee forfor more than 5 hours so I'm assuming that's why it's dark . Plus the test line came straight away doesn't it take a minute or two to come up.. these are not expired tests and were from 2 separate boxes. Can they mess up 2 batches that were ordered months apart (one box I had bought months ago the other few days ago)

Test line darker than control line
OP posts:
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6
Persipan · 02/04/2020 23:09

The test line can be darker than the control line once your HCG level rises; it's normal and nothing to be concerned about. With FRERs, they're very sensitive, so it's something that happens relatively early on.

Congratulations!

Original poster
Bee1710 · 04/04/2020 17:49

Thank you :)

OP posts:
BuffaloCauliflower · 04/04/2020 17:52

Yeh your HCG is basically so high it’s stealing dye from the control line Smile congrats!

BuffaloCauliflower · 04/04/2020 17:55

I also did a One Step test yesterday because I was feeling a bit anxious (I’m 7 weeks...) and the test line came up thicker and stronger than the control line!

quarantinevibes · 04/04/2020 18:33

It’s just a strong positive. Congratulations Flowers

ChampooPapi · 05/04/2020 10:37

@Bee1710 congratulations! What you have there is a positive pregnancy test 👣✨

Mumsnet can definitely skew views about what tests look like because people (including me this third time round) test so God dam early.

Until this pregnancy I thought all pregnancy tests looked like yours because my first two pregnancies I tested about a week to ten days after I was due af. So all my tests previously have had fat strong lines bigger then the control.

Looking at the two outcomes of those playing in front of me right now 😄

Original poster
Bee1710 · 05/04/2020 22:07

Thank you so so much everyone.
@BuffaloCauliflower many congratulations Flowers

@ChampooPapi thank You!! Haha thats sweet..

Reason I'm a bit scared is this is my 3rd pregnancy... have a daughter from my 1st and the 2nd was a mmc.. so so scared.. hopefully it'll be fine this time Smile

OP posts:
SYYY · 04/09/2020 14:05

Hello, just adding to this thread as I am one day late (but only for second period since mirena removal after 4.5 years with no period) and have just done a basic boots test and the test line is strong and the control line is faint, but there are definitely 2 lines. I am worried I mis-fired when I was doing it and some went above the arrow - would you suggest doing a second test just to be sure?

SallyCinnamon3009 · 06/09/2020 13:31

Mine were exactly the same when I was testing in May string line and really faint control line which got fainter.

Caused me a couple of days of panic but now 20 weeks along with a healthy baby boy

BertieBotts · 06/09/2020 13:36

@SYYY

Hello, just adding to this thread as I am one day late (but only for second period since mirena removal after 4.5 years with no period) and have just done a basic boots test and the test line is strong and the control line is faint, but there are definitely 2 lines. I am worried I mis-fired when I was doing it and some went above the arrow - would you suggest doing a second test just to be sure?
No, you've just tested a bit early. Wait 48 hours and test again and the line will be stronger :)
Jenalle · 22/03/2023 08:15

Got tested today wed22nd of March 2023 which is the control line what line is it and is the other line fainter can someone help me out

Test line darker than control line
Test line darker than control line
Twoinapod · 22/03/2023 08:51

@Jenalle the control line is nearest the blue bit. The test line is the stronger one. This is called a dye stealer and is a very strong positive. Congratulations

Jenalle · 22/03/2023 09:35

@Twoinapod Really Thank you so and this gonna be my second one😊 I had first misscarge in 2021 Feb 20th then had a surprise 😮 rainbow 🌈 👶 fall pregnant on April had him on Dec 27th and now this.

Jenalle · 24/03/2023 01:45

Went to doctors yesterday just to confirm and yes positive ☺ 😊 this will be my second pregnancy

EATaylor · 27/03/2023 21:12

I had a hysteroscopy 5 days ago. Nurse gave me a urine preg test before in order to do the procedure. My period is late so I tested today and it is positive. Can the procedure hurt the pregnancy? Has anyone gone through this? And how is the line so dark if the test was negative last week?

Test line darker than control line
fainallyhere · 28/03/2023 11:32

This reply has been deleted

We don't believe that this was posted in good faith.

EATaylor · 01/04/2023 00:16

I'm sorry, you don't believe my post was posted in good faith?

BertieBotts · 02/04/2023 09:05

That message is from MNHQ explaining why they deleted fainallyhere's post. I didn't read before it was deleted but it's that which they think was not in good faith.

BertieBotts · 02/04/2023 09:06

You might want to make your own thread with hysterescopy in the title to attract attention of people with experience/knowledge. :)

P2023 · 24/05/2023 13:39

Hiya I'm just after a bit of advice :) AF is due tomorrow and I had a feeling I was pregnant this morning so took a FRER test and all day I think I've been mixing the control and test line up. Am I right here that my test line is stronger than the control? Thank you

Test line darker than control line
BertieBotts · 24/05/2023 16:52

You don't need to look at the strength of the lines with pregnancy tests. If there's a line you're pregnant. Congratulations!

P2023 · 24/05/2023 17:31

Thank you, I am still in shock so probably overthinking things thank you!

2ndTimeAroundx · 13/06/2023 12:51

Hello, just tested and the test line much darker than the control line. What does this mean?!

Test line darker than control line
MyHonestOtter · 08/10/2025 11:58

Is it negative or positive

Test line darker than control line
MyHonestOtter · 08/10/2025 12:05

I got my period earlier than my period date and they were weak 1st day then stop following day came again heavy but light now I’m confused I’m having cramps

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