Faint line but other tests negative

[ASong]

Hi, I'm on the mini pill and haven't had a period in years so would never know if I've missed one. I have IBS and a reasonable amount of stress that can lead to symptoms similar to pregnancy so I always take a test to make sure on the off chance it's not that. I've had more than my usual symptoms and took a test yesterday morning and there was a faint positive line after taking. I, of course, went into slight panic mode and ran to the pharmacy to get more (I know you should only use with first pee of the day). Anyways the next few I took through the day were negative until there was another almost unidentifiable faint line on the test strip right after taking the test. I took another test this morning and it was also negative so I assume I'm probably not pregnant. If I was, I would be around 9-11 weeks so I would think it would clearly be positive at that point. I spoke to a doctor today as well (other things going on so needed to make sure quickly if I was or wasn't) and he said the line is far too faint to be positive and its likely my hormones responding to stress. Just checking if anyone has had this happen and you've turned out to be pregnant? Should I monitor over the next week just in case or leave it be?

I didn't know hormones could respond to stress by giving false positive pregnancy tests, is that really a thing? Maybe it is, anyways if you where 11-12 weeks then using first morning pee wouldn't matter as HCG levels would be very high so shouldn't matter when you test. There is a thing called the hook effect, where if you test further along your HCG levels are so high that they give false negative tests. To counteract this you dilute your urine with water (I think equal parts but a quick Google search will tell you) and then test the urine. I would definitely monitor over the next week or so because those tests, especially the first one look positive

Sorry 9-11 weeks not 11-12

Try diluting with water when you take another test see if it’s the hook affect.

I’m 12 weeks and still get dye stealers so the hook effect isn’t s thing for me but I think it is for some people

Thank you! I'll wait a few days and try that out and see if there is any change. I was a bit irked by his response to be honest. All he heard was other negative tests and immediately decided we go with that and stress must be the reason for the symptoms. He also told me the line needs to be just as dark as the control line which I know is untrue from reading other women's experiences with tests. All felt a bit like I was being dismissed so I'm glad sites like these exist just to get some lived advice!

Any chance you call back tomorrow and ask to speak to a different doctor? He doesn't seem to understand how pregnancy tests work..

I think I'll try testing again over the weekend and call again on Monday to request someone else to speak to!

Maybe the doctor meant how you were feeling could be to do with stress and not pregnancy symptoms? Rather than getting a positive from stress. I really don't think you can get positives if you're not pregnant unless you're on certain medication that can give false positives.
I'd definitely do a few more tests and the whole hook effect thing could maybe be why they're so faint. Good luck!

Thanks everyone!