Worried about lighter pregnancy tests and possible early ectopic signs

[Thisismyusernametoday1]

This is my first pregnancy and I have no idea what’s normal.

I’ve been tracking progression on FRER and Wondflo tests, which had been going well up until this morning when my first 16DPO test at 6am looked significantly lighter than my 15DPO test. The strips look okay-ish, although haven’t become significantly darker over the last 48 hours.

I’m concerned because I’ve read that a sign of ectopic pregnancies is fluctuating test darkness and I had sharp pinching and stabbing pain on my left side yesterday, a bit more severe than usual ovulation pain and an uncomfortable neck/shoulder. This has eased off slightly today. I know it’s too early to view a normal pregnancy, but would an ultrasound show a mass in my tubes this early? I’m too early to self refer to the early pregnancy unit so I’ve got a GP appointment this afternoon.

These tests look totally normal, they start running out of dye after a while, they can only darken so much. I can see your 6am test is very slightly lighter on the 1st response but all the others follow the trend so it’s likely that particular test just has natural variation.

I don’t think based on your tests there’s anything to worry about, but if something just doesn’t feel right and you are worried about pain it’s never wrong to get checked out. I think it’d be too early for a scan but who knows

I agree with pp. Tests look absolutely fine.
I wouldn’t worry about future line progression: I had two healthy pregnancies and never had a dye stealer. The strongest line I ever got was like yours.

Try to stop thinking about ectopic pregnancy; probably anxiety is causing the pain.
But if it gets worse, definitely seek help.

It's very, very early days so try not to worry, but definitely monitor and don't be afraid to ask for advice if it gets worse.
My ectopic didn't begin to "show" itself until surprisingly late (around 12 weeks) but I had no idea I was even pregnant!
My biggest clue in retrospect was pain when needing to open my bowels and I did have some bleeding (which I assumed was my period). No shoulder pain .

Thank you all for taking the time to respond.

I’m not doing a very good job at keeping my anxiety in check. I have stage 4 endometriosis so even getting to a positive test has been a struggle. I actually tested positive a few days after we received notification of our first fertility appointment.

I think it’s so easy to spiral with information and other people’s experiences so accessible, but I’m going to put the tests away until anything changes.

Thank you for sharing and I’m sorry that was your experience, it must have come as such a shock.

I’ve had no bowel symptoms or bleeding yet, but useful to know it’s something to be mindful of.

@Thisismyusernametoday1 You're more than welcome.
I was classed as a recurrent miscarriage sufferer, so I know the anxiety all too well; every twinge is scary and causes a bit of a worry spiral.
Looking back there were definite ectopic signs but not knowing I was pregnant (still "periods", 42 and husband post-vasectomy) it hadn't been on my radar!
But I am absolutely blessed with three children, all of which were straightforward pregnancies (last was an incredible planned homebirth), so please try to keep calm as best you can as most likely all will be well (easier said than done, I know!) ❤️ x