Worried tests are getting lighter / hook effect

[Skittles11]

I'm really worried and sorry to be asking again. But I did a test today (5+6) after disappearance of my only symptom and the test was quite light (bottom test) compared to the one i did about 5 days ago. I had heard of the hook effect so tried it by diluting with water (top test) and the test line did come back stronger than the control line on that one. I am really worried, does the hook effect actually exist or is it more likely this is an early miscarriage on the horizon again? I read the hook effect only happens with really high HCG and mine was only 4000 last Saturday so I am really concerned that it couldn't be this (but then why would it come back stronger when diluted?) I just am so terrified of a fourth loss right now X

[Backagain987]

Hi lovely, I know how stressful this is but I did a load of research when I was pregnant on my most recent round and it turns out these tests aren’t really designed to be used after the initial early days so I would maybe try and step away from the tests and if you have to test maybe do HCG bloods instead? Having said that I personally think the lines look good to me.

You have nine months of this and after six losses I was sooo anxious and so wanted to control things but soon realised all you can do is limp through each day to each scan etc.

It can eventually work though, I am proof of that, so this can be your time and all be ok. Huge supportive hugs xx

[Kitkat10]

hi, I’m not sure about the hook effect but I did have similar anxiety at 5 weeks and felt so stressed that I went to my GP. I had an anembryonic pregnancy on the previous cycle and was terrified it was happening again. The GP sent me to the EPU or similar for very early pregnancy and they did HCG and said a result over 3000 meant they would be able to see the pregnancy on the scan so they did a scan for me at 6 weeks which reassured me. Might be worth asking your GP? The testing drove me insane and my anxiety was high. My clinic wouldn’t help but the GP and EPU were amazing xx

[Cinderella5]

The hook effect is absolutley a real thing. I work with hCG at work and hook effect can be an absolute minefield for clinicians if they aren't aware of it.....which Im aware sounds crazy that Drs get thrown by this but its very real. Hoping you have another scan soon for some reassurance.xxx

[Skittles11 in reply to Cinderella5]

Thanks lovely. Does it look like my tests could be experiencing the hook effect from your understanding? From my reading it is unclear when it could happen but I dont understand why the line would be darker after being diluted. I normally try not to test and I never test early in IVF transfers but I was so worried about my loss of my only symptom which is why I tested on this occasion X

[Cinderella5 in reply to Skittles11]

To be fair the only way to know would be if you had a quantative (number) hCG done at the same time. I totally sympathise how hard it is not knowing what's going on.....I did a test too late on for reassurance and like you it told me very little and caused worry too. I've got everything crossed for you lovely, try to hang on in there. Keep remembering that we are all different and lack of symptoms is OK. Hugs.xxx

[Kate-92]

it’s real 😅 and it happened to me x have a look on my profile I posted before & after dilution and it got me in a real tiz ! I had some well dodgy lines and I was a serial tester but I am 29 wks now 🙏🏼🤞🏼 x

[Kate-92 in reply to Kate-92]

avawomen.com/avaworld/false... this helped me understand x

[Skittles11 in reply to Kate-92]

Thank you, this was really useful to read and so was your previous post which I have just looked at. Do you think my photo looks like the hook effect? In my head if HCG is low and you add water the line should keep getting lighter but it does seek darker to me x x

[Kate-92 in reply to Skittles11]

It’s definitely darker & yes I do think it looks like the hook effect. I had lines that were barely there some days then so strong on others, when they were barely there I always diluted and it came back stronger x it doesn’t happen to everyone… but it was a page I follow on Instagram who started her IVF journey 3 wks before me who highlighted it (effortlesslyellie) she has saved in her IVF highlights x

[Redsequin]

Hi lovely. How are you feeling today? So sorry that the worry is continuing. I did another test sometime after my initial positive but before my first scan and it was so faint and made me feel HORRIBLE, but obviously, it turned out to be the Hook Effect. I think I read somewhere that pregnancy tests shouldn't be used later than a certain point, and it's probably for this reason. When is your first scan booked? I hope you don't have long to wait.

[Skittles11 in reply to Redsequin]

Thank you lovely for replying and trying to reassure. I am just trying to get through each day as best as possible with all this anxiety. In my rational head it is not logical for diluted urine to give a stronger test result unless it is either this hook effect or a faulty test. Hubby thinks it is the former and it just overwhelmed the test. I love the optimism and wish I could muster it for myself. It is super interesting you had similar and it clearly was the hook effect as you had your little one. I was scanned very early to make sure it was in the right place last week (which it was), at 5 weeks gestational sac and yolk sac were seen- no heartbeat at that point which I was told in advance not to expect one and therefore I have removed that from my worry list. They are rescanning early next week at 6 + 6. The no symptoms/ disappearance of only symptom I had is worrying but again until the scan I just have to persevere as any thing sooner I think will add more stress at this point in time x x any suggestions for good distractions in the coning days?

[Redsequin in reply to Skittles11]

So sorry, lovely. We were away on holiday and I missed this. You will have had your scan by now. I hope all is well and the scan reassured you. 💜