'The hook effect ' pregnancy tests. Lighter tests at 8 weeks

[Gemmaemilyx]

Hi all.

Just wanted to post on here to give some reassurance to people who test regularly and see their test line gradually becoming lighter as weeks go on. I found this was called 'the hook effect' where the test is overwhelmed by the amount of HCG the farther along you are and your test line becomes fainter than the control.

To test this out my top line is first morning wee at 8 weeks and it is considerably lighter than it has been in the past. The bottom test is diluted with some water and as you can see it is a lot darker! Same urine sample! Hopefully can save some people some worry

Best wishes to everyone on their journeys x

To be honest, this has never been my experience with either pregnancy. I test with a cheapie every now and then out of curiosity (34 weeks now) and it's always stayed just as strong. It might differ per person though?

@DarcyParty possibly! Depending on each persons HCG levels I guess! Was interesting though as I didn't think it'd make it a stronger line by diluting 😅

With diluted urine wouldn't the control line be lighter too?

Honestly have no idea how this works but as @DarcyParty , my experience was always strong lines...

But i believe hcg levels are so different for every women throughout pregnancy that it's hard to tell what is what.

After 6 weeks i would just stop testing to assess progression anyway.

I've read about this and tried it and it's never been the case for me. I think it's garbage tbh. I've had 7 pregnancies, the lines have only gotten faint once the MC already happened and I was waiting for the hormones to leave. In my successful pregnancies the line always stayed strong.

This happened to me. Positives at 4 and 5 weeks. Took a random test at 8 weeks and the line was sooo faint, took another test the next morning because I was freaked out and it was completely negative.
I’m now 23 weeks, so it definitely does not mean a loss!

@Queenbee95 thanks for your reply! Gosh how weird!! I did worry at how faint it was compared to other tests around 5 weeks before diluting!! Strange how it works!! 🤯 xx

I didn’t actually dilute my tests though, I just silently panicked until I saw my midwife and she told me to just steer clear of the tests. It is very daunting though. I hadn’t heard of the hook effect until it happened to me and someone on here mentioned it

Stop testing!
These cheapo tests are also notoriously unreliable anyway. Put the tests away. Book a private scan at 10 weeks it will keep you going.

Hi @Gemmaemilyx..i am also 8 weeks pregnant today and the hook effect happened with me a few hours back and I freaked out because i couldnt fathom why my test line was so light...I was profusely googling whqt could be the reason and camcame across your experience. I just want to thank you for sharing this, it really helped console me. Hope your pregnancy is progressing well.. I am going for my ultrasound tomorrow🤞

I've only tested past 6 weeks when I've had mc's. It's a weird thing as you're desperate to be pregnant but hoping to see a negative test, it can take weeks too.

Hi @Chelyanne, i didn't test to experiment the hook effect, i didn't even know that it existed. I tested out of anxiety. I was expecting to see a very dark test line but really freaked out when i saw a light line instead. For me that is the only validation i have of being pregnant till i get my ultrasound tomorrow. I guess this is what having an earlier miscarriage does to you, it makes you terrified.

@Bub0121

Hi *@Chelyanne*, i didn't test to experiment the hook effect, i didn't even know that it existed. I tested out of anxiety. I was expecting to see a very dark test line but really freaked out when i saw a light line instead. For me that is the only validation i have of being pregnant till i get my ultrasound tomorrow. I guess this is what having an earlier miscarriage does to you, it makes you terrified.

Hiya my lovely!! After this test I put the sticks away! - I am now 12+5 days and everything is going lovely 🥰🥰I haven't had a MC before (extremely lucky) but I did have all the anxiety of thinking I was going to! I hope everything goes well for you in your scan- please let us know ♥️♥️♥️ xxx

@Gemmaemilyx thank you
I've had 5 mc's between 8 & 12 weeks and countless chemical pregnancies over the years so I only count myself as really pregnant from 6wk (why I stop testing then). The most recent mc I had a confirmed hb on a private scan at 8 wk (lost at 9), took 3 weeks to get a negative test. Well aware from experience that multiple tests and early scans can't give total reassurance, nothing you can do to save a failing pregnancy. I'm very thankful I've only had 1st trimester losses and blessed with 5 healthy children from 4 pregnancies too.

The producers of these tests have cashed in on women's fears, these ultra sensitive test also cause a lot of heartache. I didn't get my 1st positive with the eldest until I was 6wk, now I can get one well before a missed period.

Hey @Bub0121 how did your ultrasound go? X

I found out I was pregnant at 23 weeks and my test was a big fat positive that came up way before the 2minutes were up. Definitely no hook effect here

@YerAWizardHarry very strange how people are so different! As I said 8 weeks in the photo and was very light compared to others I'd done! Had my dating scan today and all was well measuring 13+1! Xxx

@YerAWizardHarry 23 weeks! Goodness what made you test at 23 weeks? That is amazing.
@Gemmaemilyx for my two pregnancies I tested with clear blue digitals once period is due and that was the only test I did. Didn't even know cheapies it opks existed haha. Then I had a miscarriage and discovered opks and cheapies. Got pregnant a month after mc and tested at 4 weeks for a couple of days and stopped testing. Currently 24 weeks. As someone previously said these companies are cashing in in people's anxieties.

@Mishmased totally agree! I had it in my head this pregnancy wasn't going to continue for some reason so tested regularly then as soon as this 'hook effect' happened, I stopped testing completely! Much better for your mental state I think 🤣 xx

@Gemmaemilyxmm.. thanks for asking..it went off really well..a strong heartbeat of 179 bpm..it was such a beautiful moment seeing and hearing the heart beat but honestly the first sensation that washed over me was relief...xx

@Mishmased a doctor told me to test after having a blood test done at the sexual health clinic. I was still have periods albeit all over the place so I went to get it checked out. I was 18 and daft! DS is 8 now and thankfully totally fine :)

Hi @Gemmaemilyx

Just want to say thank you so much for this post!

Just had the same thing happen to me at 8+1 after not testing for a while. I had a MC and a MMC last year so I automatically went into panic. Took another test with diluted urine and the line is much stronger

Hope all is going well with your pregnancy x

@KB86 awww I'm so glad! Why I posted ♥️♥️ congratulations! After I took this test I put down the tests and felt so much better for not doing it 😅 ... and Thankyou yes! 23 weeks with a little girl! Hope all goes well for the rest of your pregnancy!!! Xxxx

Hi I've taken test this morning a 2 different brands one has got lighter since yesterday but other brand hasn't changed so I need to be worried have had mc in past thanks the 2 top ones are from today bottom from last night thanks

@Janbrin this is a very old thread. you may get better responses if you post your own thread. But please don't stress yet. It could be for one you were more dehydrated etc. fingers crossed it is all ok

How did it go for you? I m also late in this thread...