Pregnancy test strip lighter at 6 weeks

[bevmfdes]

I'm feeling a bit worried and anxious. I had a miscarriage this year in March and then another one in May. I'm now pregnant and am (according to my app) 6 weeks and 4 days. I've been taking strip tests for a couple weeks as I wanted to see my HCG levels rising. I've been feeling nauseous, back ache and boobs very sore.
The lines of j the strip tests were getting darker, however, the test strip was lighter this morning and now I'm really worried my HCG levels are dropping. I haven't referred myself to the hospital yet as I wanted to wait till I was further along a bit.
Not sure what I am looking for posting here, but wondered if there were any success stories with this happening to others.

Are you talking about the lines on a normal pregnancy test? If so they do get lighter as your pregnancy progresses.

Yes. The HCG lines on a strip test. The line was darker last week and then this morning it was lighter than the control line. I've heard they should get darker as HCG levels should be rising

I'm sorry for your previous loss OP and understand the need to keep testing but honestly, it will do nothing at all to help.
The tests aren't designed for this and tell you nothing about if your pregnancy is viable or not.

I did a private early scan. Was reassuring (for a day 😂) honestly the tests drove me and my doctors near insane.
At 6 weeks the clear blue week test said 1-2 weeks. The doctors even were prepping me for another miscarriage (I've had a lot too) had no symptoms wasn't looking good.

He's here now 😅 I just had lower levels but nothing was wrong, just all pregnancies and babies are so different. I think at this point the only way to know is a scan x

If you are past 6 weeks why don’t you get an early scan as that way you’ll know for sure what’s going on in there?

It’s a very stressful time TTC after miscarriages. I’ve been in your position checking for line progression for reassurance but I did stop testing once I’d seen early progression as I knew it would drive me crazy. There’s something called the hook effect which can mess up progression too.

Totally normal to need reassurance, but now you’re this far along I don’t think line progression will help. I got my first scan at 6weeks and that was a big reassurance for me, even saw a heartbeat.

Good luck!

At 6 weeks I'd get an early scan. The tests do get darker as HCG rises for a while, but that stops at a point as your levels are so high. So at 6 weeks a positive test is a positive test. Scan could be more reassuring now to be honest and will give a definitive answer.

Thank you for replying. I'm just going out of my mind with having to wait 6 more weeks till a scan. I had an early scan when I was pregnant in March, saw a heartbeat, then miscarried that evening. The thought of having an early scan worries me because of that. Deep down I know it wasn't because of having an internal scan, but on the surface it worries me. Hence waiting for 9 weeks before I refer myself to the hospital.
Glad everything worked out for you. Your story gives me hope.
I don't think I'll be taking another test...

Thanks for your reply. With my pregnancy in March I had an early scan as I was bleeding and after seeing no the heartbeat, I miscarried that evening. Deep down I know that the internal scan had nothing to do with my miscarriage, but it still worries me. I plan on waiting for my 12 week scan (if I make it that far).
I've not heard of the hook effect. Will look into it. Thanks xx

I would also go for an early scan. I’ve had several miscarriages and also saw the heartbeat. But, two of the early scans showed the pregnancy was not viable and meant I could deal with it appropriately and not have to wait for another 6wks to find out. I also had low results on tests (I did the digital weeks ones and could see I wasn’t progressing properly, which although not true for everyone has been a good indicator for me).

Up to 8 weeks is the most worrying time in pregnancy and no tests, scans, special diet etc before that point will prevent a MC if it's going to happen unfortunately. It's a hugely anxious time for most women and even worse if you've experienced loss before but you will drive yourself crazy with the tests..... all they tell you is that you're pregnant at that single point in time, not if it's healthy or developing as it should be.

If you can wait until you are over 8 weeks for an early scan then that would be my advice. There are still no 100% guarantees but the odds of MC drop substantially when a heartbeat has been seen after 8 weeks

I had an early scan with dd but that wasn't internal. See your GP and ask for a referral to the local EPU.

I had horrific HG from way before I even knew I was pregnant. Wasn't even on the radar, especially after 16 years of being told I couldn't gave kids! Dd is now a boun8ng, sassy 11 year old!