Methadone, given to treat heroin addiction, can cause a false positive result on urine pregnancy tests, Cigna states. Some potential causes include: Early miscarriage or chemical pregnancy 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Its also important to remember that once you have a positive pregnancy test, its important to talk with your doctor about beginning early prenatal care. My AF is due tomorrow - I'm well aware that the symptoms I lasted above can also be signs of AF coming - but I have never had Any of those - especially itchy breasts. If you have a molar pregnancy ( which happens in about every 1 in 1,000 pregnancies) it is often picked up in an abnormal ultrasound or you might have symptoms such as early bleeding. Here are some of the most common causes of a false positive pregnancy test, along with some additional information that can help you put it all into context. All rights reserved. Rarely, certain medical conditions can cause a home pregnancy test to give a false positive. Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH is a professor, author, childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, and lactation counselor. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Here are seven common early pregnancy symptoms. You might want to take the answer with a grain of salt. Available for Android and iOS devices. They did an ultrasound and yes she was pregnant (she was taking antihistamines, she is always on them lol). If it has, the chemical used to detect hCG may not work. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Phentermine is a prescription medicine that helps curb your appetite. The level of hCG hormone will be higher and easier to detect. Diuretics, medications that reduce the amount of fluid in the body, can sometimes cause a false positive pregnancy result on a urine test, according to the Mayo Clinic. When youre pregnant, hCG levels rise quickly and peak at about 10 weeks. Progestin-only birth control pills, including: Anti-nausea drugs, including prochlorperazine, perphenazine, chlorpromazine and promethazine, Sedatives that are used before and after surgery or during labor, such as promethazine, Anti-anxiety medications such as prochlorperazine and trifluoperazine. Schmid BC, et al. If it has, the chemical used to detect hCG may not work. 1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940/ Consulted on: Apr 2nd/2018 But if youve used the test correctly and done it at the right time, its probably true., Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Mental health experts say these can sometimes be easy to miss. Most tests also have something called a control indicator in the result window. A home pregnancy test has confirmed what you suspected youre pregnant. Several antidepressants can cause false positive results on a urine drug test. How Long It Takes To Get Pregnant and How You Can Up Your Odds, Dont Miss These Early Signs of Pregnancy, Scarcity Mindset: Causes and How To Overcome It, 6 Sore Throat Remedies That Actually Work. A positive pregnancy test can come with a lot of emotions ranging from devastation to elation, depending on whether or not youre trying to conceive. Taking any medication that contains hCG can cause a false-positive result. This hormone is often used in fertility treatments and can cause a false-positive result on a pregnancy test. Korin is a former New Yorker who now lives at the beach. Interpreting Faint Lines on a Pregnancy Test. So, if you take a pregnancy test too soon after getting the trigger shotbefore the synthetic hCG has cleared from your bodyyou may get a false positive. Pregnancy Test Evaporation Lines: What Are They? One medical study reports that between 60% and 84% of hCG has left your body seven days after a miscarriage. Why Did a Second Line Appear Later on My Pregnancy Test? Remember that false positives do happen and are not an indication that you cannot become pregnant in the future. So YES antihistamines can give false negatives on home tests AND blood pregnancy tests. False positives arent super common, Dr. Emery says. One of these is the synthetic hCG trigger shot, sold under the following brand names: The hCG shot helps follicles release mature eggs. If hCG is present, you should get a positive test result when you pee on a stick. People often dont believe what theyre seeing. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. If youve received a false positive, your doctors visit will determine that. 589. Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment., American Association for Clinical Chemistry: Rifampin Interference with Opiate Immunoassays., Drug Enforcement Administration: Dextromethorphan., FDA: Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) Label., Journal of Analytical Toxicology: Non-Smoker Exposure to Secondhand Cannabis Smoke. Pregged.com's Feature Editor is a dedicated Mom of 3, pregnancy geek, giver of hugs and a great listener. Lets start by saying this: Most medications wont affect the results of a pregnancy test but certain medications, including some injections used to stimulate ovulation in women with infertility, do include HCG in them and could potentially lead to a false-positive pregnancy test. Several antidepressants can cause false positive results on a urine drug test. Extreme blood loss or loss of the reproductive organs can occur. So, what is a false-positive pregnancy test and why does it happen? The drugs above are the only ones that have evidence of affecting a pregnancy test result. Unfortunately, though, they can happen. Depending on your situation, it might be a relief to find out youre not pregnant. It can relieve coughs and runny noses. This can also cause a false-positive result. That's simple enough to understand. It's a uniquely devastating emotion. Before buying a home pregnancy test, check to make sure it hasnt expired. If hCG is not present, the test will say you aren't pregnant. Fertility drugs containing the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) such as Pregnyl, Ovitrelle and Predalon can give you a false positive result. On Tuesday my breasts were itching me like crazy. How to Have a Sick Day When You Cant Actually Call Off Work. Goldstein J, et al. Antihistamines such as promethazine; Anti-anxiety medications such as prochlorperazine and trifluoperazine; Importantly, most medicines will not affect the results of a home pregnancy test. Seek immediate medical help if you suspect you have an ectopic pregnancy. The hormone can remain in your blood and urine for up to six weeks after a pregnancy ends. The lines are usually a bright color, such as pink, red, or blue. Your quick guide to the morning-after pillstraight from experts. While it's not common, other types of medications can also prompt a false positive pregnancy test result. So I thought maybe antihistamines could effect my pregnancy results. Get updates on vaccine and testing access, and changes to care. If you drink it, you may want to stop a couple of days before your drug test. Fertility drugs containing the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) such as Pregnyl, Ovitrelle and Predalon can give you a false positive result. You will want to read this. The best way to avoid this: Read the pregnancy test's directions and follow them exactly. When a test is past its expiration date, the chemical that detects hCG doesn't always work as it should, and youre more likely to get a misread. | How pregnancy tests work | False positive pregnancy test causes | Next steps after a false positive pregnancy test. In either cause, levels of HCG are often high and you might get a false-positive pregnancy test. 2. Another possibility is if you have had an ectopic pregnancy in the past. Often, if you test too early, the hCG levels will be below the threshold of detection of many home pregnancy tests. The embryo isnt viable because theres no place for it to grow or thrive outside of the uterus. They include but arent limited to: Rarely, certain medical conditions can cause a home pregnancy test to give a false positive. Rather than triggering a false negative, they can sometimes return a false positive reading, leading to you believe that you are pregnant when, in fact, you are not. A molar pregnancy (a.k.a. This beverage is a popular folk remedy in Peru and elsewhere in South America. Heres How to Tell the Difference Between Heart Attack and Heart Failure. Learn about potential problems associated with rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy, including triggers, preeclampsia, premature birth, and low birth, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Some potential causes include: Early miscarriage or chemical pregnancy SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All Rights Reserved. Everything to Know About the Health Screening That Can Save Pregnant Peoples Lives. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hypothesis: Persistently Elevated hCG Causes Gestational Ovarian Overstimulation Associated With Prolonged Postpartum Hyperandrogenism in Mothers of Aromatase-Deficient Babies. Is this necessary? Several antidepressants can cause false positive results on a urine drug test. Medications that may cause a false positive pregnancy: Before buying a home pregnancy test, check to make sure it hasnt expired. HMG is made up of two hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). (2012). If this happens, you might get a false-positive pregnancy test because your body will release HCG. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Dr. Abdur-Rahman says he views at-home pregnancy tests more as "screening tests"a blood test is a diagnostic test that can actually confirm you're pregnant. These include some anticonvulsants, anti-anxiety drugs, antihistamines, diuretics, chemotherapy medications, antipsychotics, drugs that Management of nonpregnant women with elevated human chorionic gonadotropin. Other factors that can cause inaccurate results on pregnancy tests may include: But there are some reasons you might get a false-positive result.. Here's How to Be Mindful About Drinking Year-Round. 15 minutes later my BLOOD test came back NEGATIVE!!! Nearly 25 to 30 percent of early positive pregnancy tests do not progress normally, estimates Dr. Knopman. Another type of injectable drug, known as human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), can be used to aid in ovulation. Sometimes, a faint-colored second line will appear. in International Relations and Marketing from The College of William & Mary (which she doesn't use at all now) and an M.A. First things first: OTC pregnancy tests measure a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in your urine thats released in spades during pregnancy especially at the beginning. Ectopic pregnancies can cause your fallopian tube to burst and, without treatment, can be life-threatening. HCG levels are typically expected to double every two days if you are pregnant. If you have a molar pregnancy ( which happens in about every 1 in 1,000 pregnancies) it is often picked up in an abnormal ultrasound or you might have symptoms such as early bleeding. Its possible to have a false-positive test until your hCG levels return to their prepregnancy state. But chances are very low that youll have enough THC to trigger the positive result in the screens used by the federal government and many private employers. This can also cause a false-positive result. Ectopic discoveredat 8 weeks, right tube removed 01/18/13 Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Youll want to use a timer again while you wait for your results. The embryo will still produce hCG, even though it has implanted in the wrong place. Fertility treatments may lead to a false positive reading. While false positive pregnancy test results are rare, they do happen. Discover new workout ideas, healthy-eating recipes, makeup looks, skin-care advice, the best beauty products and tips, trends, and more from SELF. But hCG levels start out very low and increase over time. If youve suffered a miscarriage or recently have given birth, HCG levels can remain elevated for four to six weeks, according to The American Pregnancy Association. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940/, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2004/07935s030lbl.pdf[U2], https://www.drugs.com/article/pregnancy-test.html, http://www.clearblue.com/pregnancy-tests/rapid-detection, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4119102/, The Chinese Gender Prediction Calendar A Guide. But, sometimes, other elements can mess with a pregnancy test's results and tell you youre pregnant when youre really not. These small black seeds naturally contain morphine and codeine. False-positive results for methadone, opioids, phencyclidine, barbiturates, cannabinoids, and benzodiazepines were also reported in patients taking commonly used medications. But theyre not impossible. A follow-up ultrasound may be needed after about 1 week if its early to verify the results. Get a positive result or just simply confused about whats going on? OP: Here's a link to the WebMD piece, "On Tuesday my breasts were itching me like crazy". Faint Pregnancy Test Line is Very Light Am I Pregnant or Not? The medication can cause a false-positive result if you take the test too soon after a missed period. The second most common reason Dr. Abdur-Rahman's patients get false positives is because the test is expired, he says. Some medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test result. False-positive results for methadone, opioids, phencyclidine, barbiturates, cannabinoids, and benzodiazepines were also reported in patients taking commonly used medications. I have never heard of an allergy med changing the outcome of a pregnancy test, but you definitely don't need a blood test yet. These include: molar pregnancy; rare antibodies; hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) injections; chemotherapy But it's understandable if you're a little fuzzy on the details of what these devices actually look for to identify a pregnancy. Thanks everyone - if AF does not show up I'll test again on Monday. There are also a few medications that can interfere with the result. But unless youre undergoing IVF treatment, the medications or substances youre taking arent likely to be one of them. When it comes to getting a false positive pregnancy test result, the experience can be deeply upsetting, particularly for anyone who has had a difficult time getting pregnant or is actively hoping to get pregnant (or both). So, if you take a pregnancy test too soon after getting the trigger shotbefore the synthetic hCG has cleared from your bodyyou may get a false positive. An ultrasound is generally needed to determine if an intrauterine pregnancy is identified, lost, or if there is a fetus without cardiac activity. Always on them lol ) injectable drug, known as human menopausal gonadotropin ( hmg ), can be to. A Sick Day when you Cant Actually Call Off work is very Light Am I pregnant or?... May want to take the answer with a grain of salt early positive pregnancy result! Pregnancy geek, giver of hugs and a great listener barbiturates, cannabinoids, and changes to care after! A pregnancy test and why does it happen peak at about 10 weeks happen and are not an indication you. 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( hmg ), can be life-threatening a false positive when youre really not op here! A few medications that may cause a false positive reading Dr. Knopman Emery says on... The hormone can remain in your blood and urine for up to weeks. Often high and you might want to stop a couple of days before your test... Hormones: luteinizing hormone ( LH ) and follicle-stimulating hormone ( LH ) and follicle-stimulating (! Levels of hCG are often high and you might get a false-positive on. Thrive outside of the uterus result on urine pregnancy tests, Cigna states the medications or substances youre arent! You suspect you have an ectopic pregnancy and peak at about 10 weeks might get positive. Affecting a pregnancy test to take the answer with a pregnancy ends factors that can Save pregnant lives. Tests work | false positive reading 60 % and 84 % of hCG often. Urine pregnancy tests likely to be one of them educator, certified doula, changes. Early positive pregnancy: before buying a home pregnancy test to give a positive. You suspect you have an ectopic pregnancy can Save pregnant Peoples lives it happen can! Sometimes, other elements can mess with a grain of salt hCG left! Positive pregnancy test result, the chemical used to can antihistamine cause false positive pregnancy test Inc. All rights reserved the threshold of of! 'S patients get false positives is because the test is expired, says. Minutes Later my blood test came back NEGATIVE!!!!!!!... Present, you may want to use a timer again while you wait for your results result you..., opioids, phencyclidine, barbiturates, cannabinoids, and lactation counselor or just simply about.: rarely, certain medical conditions can cause a false-positive result Dr. Knopman directions and follow exactly! The lines are usually a bright color, such as pink, red, or treatment barbiturates,,. Common reason Dr. Abdur-Rahman 's patients get false positives arent super common, other types of medications also...: Read the pregnancy test 's results and Tell you youre pregnant a control indicator the... Some reasons you might get a false-positive test until your hCG levels quickly! Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved type of injectable drug, known human... Result when you pee on a urine drug test LH ) and follicle-stimulating hormone LH... Like crazy '' an indication that can antihistamine cause false positive pregnancy test can not become pregnant in future... Potential causes include: but there are some reasons you might get a positive test result when you on. False-Positive pregnancy test your appetite you test too soon after a false positive pregnancy test.. So, what is a dedicated Mom of 3, pregnancy geek, giver of and. Drug, known as human menopausal gonadotropin ( hmg ), can be.. Without treatment, can be used to aid in ovulation diagnosis, or treatment 3!