Hook effect / placenta takeover or miscarriage

[Dodds87]

First tests are FMU rest are diluted with water which got darker after being diluted

Wondering if anyone can give me their opinion please. Any test addicts out there.
I've attached photos .
, last week my tests were super dark so hcg has decreased. Now..

So my hcg levels were actually tested just over a week ago and were 16.000 so not that high for the hook effect right ?
I've read hook only happens when hcg is so high but mine is not.

Would the placenta really be taking over at 9 weeks ?
Nhs state 12 weeks and hcg should peak at 10 weeks. So this dosent sound like me does it ? And would hcg get stronger when diluted due to placenta?

Lastly , of course it could be a miscarriage. Would it be getting darker when diluted if I was a miscarriage?

Any thoughts?
I shouldn't be testing but I am a serial tester as my last pregnancy was a miscarriage but happened at 4 weeks. Started bleeding day after period and hcg went down few days later but I'm aware you can have a missed miscarriage and not be aware

After a point testing is just torturing yourself. Torturing yourself expensively. Stop testing. I know you're anxious and I've been there, but this will make no difference to the outcome. Try some mindfulness techniques, they really worked for me when I was in this position. Good luck.

I know , I am bonkers. I'm well aware of it and know I shouldn't be testing. I couldnt get a private scan booked for next few days and felt testing was the only thing that might give me an answer but I'm more confused than ever why it darken when diluted, so I'm still none the wiser if I'm miss carrying or not

Why are you testing so far into your pregnancy if you've not had bleeding and/or cramping? Take a deep breath - book a scan. That's the only thing that will tell you where your pregnancy is up to. But please stop torturing yourself x

Hey @moosey89 i have had alot of cramping that went on for days and stopped.

Sorry to hear that. Please do stop testing though and get a scan booked as tests aren't made to be used the way you're using them. You're not even meant to take more than one for "line progression" at the start x

@moosey89 I know, I completely understand that. I'm not able to get a test booked in time before Christmas as my nearest baby scan clinic can't offer any new appointments til 3rd jan they told me and there's nothing available today or tomorrow. The sonographer is off on Christmas holidays on Thursday so I felt testing might be the only thing I could try and had tests leftover . I hadn't realised at all that tests do stop after a certain while which is while I was hoping some poas'rs could provide some insight as to weather it could be hook effect or something else going on

Testing is unlikely to help you become aware of a mmc. With a mmc your body still thinks it's pregnant and continues as if you are. My tests were positive at 15 weeks when baby had died at 10 weeks. This pregnancy I stopped testing after I got my 3+ on a digital as it just really isn't worth torturing yourself when it can't tell you much anyway x

@Ttcmumma I know. Its just fustrating as I have to wait until new year. I'm just curious why they would be getting fainter but darker if diluted in a cup with water

I totally agree with others to try and avoid continuing to test if you can, but I do know it’s hard. The hook effect I’m not sure about, I had some tests left in the cupboard so just did one out of curiosity (I’m 23 weeks with baby currently kicking away) and it’s a glaringly positive test immediately, so maybe it’s the type of tests you have? Although always worth remembering that these tests are “positive” or “negative” and not meant to measure! X