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OPK as HPT? Got 2 Super Dark Tests
It's 12:15 a.m. here in Boston and for the 3rd night in a row I can't sleep. Before we got into bed, I decided to do an OPK as an HPT since I have the tube of 20 and a whole bunch left over. It came out super dark within a couple of minutes, so I did another one and same thing. Then I decided to do a FRER HPT and it came out negative, not even a hint of a line. Tomorrow is 12 dpo and I got a positive on 12 dpo last year. I can't help but think the OPK's must be right because they were so dark. They weren't pink, they were plum red.
I'll let you know what happens in the morning.
~Sue
I'll let you know what happens in the morning.
~Sue
mmm...i have no idea. i know they are different than an hpt but...
i wish you the best of luck with first morning poas! that might be the only thing,
although remember that 12dpo is still too early for some women.
i'm wishing you the best of luck.
good luck good luck good luck
i wish you the best of luck with first morning poas! that might be the only thing,
although remember that 12dpo is still too early for some women.
i'm wishing you the best of luck.
good luck good luck good luck
I hate to be the one to say it. An hpt (especially frer) would be positive b4 an opk as an hpt would be. :( We do get random Lh surges, even in the tww that can make an opk be pos. I tried it out on 2 separate occasions and it took the opk 2-3 days longer to be bfp on opk than the frer. I really want it to be a bfp for you Sue. But, I don't want you to get your hopes to be crashed. Here is a clip from poasdotcom that tells how it works.
OPK's as HPT's:
using an ovulation test to confirm pregnancy
Overall-- yes, it can be done. Ovulation predictor tests (known as OPK's because they are normally sold in a set of tests known as a "kit," thus the K) will show a positive result when a woman is pregnant, as well as when she's ovulating.
Specifically-- while it works most of the time, there are good reasons to avoid using an OPK as an HPT for diagnostic purposes. If you want to pee on any stick that will stand still after you know you're pregnant, just for fun, have at it. But I would not recommend using an OPK in place of an HPT overall.
Reasoning-- OPK's detect LH (luteinizing hormone) which is the hormone associated with ovulation. Pregnancy tests detect hCG, the hormone associated with pregnancy. LH and hCG are, at a molecular level, nearly identical. hCG has a beta subunit, meaning it has an extra little "doodad." To use a stupid but easy to understand example, LH and hCG are identical twins, except that hCG wears a funny hat.
An OPK tests only for the part of the molecule that LH and hCG have in common (the "face" or "body" of the identical twins.) Essentially an OPK is saying:
So an OPK will turn positive when it detects either of the "identical twins"-- ovulation or pregnancy hormone.
The reverse is not true, however, because an HPT tests for the part of the molecule that is unique to hCG (the "hat.") So an HPT would say:
Therefore, a pregnancy test will turn positive only in the presence of hCG, whereas an OPK will turn positive in the presence of hCG or LH.
Now, it's important to note that OPK's work differently than HPT's. A pregnancy test will develop 2 lines only if hCG (pregnancy hormone) is detected. Thus, "a line is a line" when determining a positive HPT. OPK's work differently. An OPK has a "control" line and a "test" line, just like an HPT. Unlike an HPT, however, the mere presence of a "test" line does not mean the test is positive. The test line must be as dark as, or darker than, the control line to be a positive result (meaning that a surge was detected, rather than the ordinary amount of LH usually found in your urine every day.)
This means that there is already some ambiguity involved in reading an OPK's results. Sometimes the line is almost as dark as the control line, but perhaps not quite as dark. Sometimes only the edge turns dark, or the top half of the line is darker than the bottom.
Additionally, OPK's are not as sensitive as a lot of HPT's are. This means that, if pregnant, you are likely to get a positive HPT earlier than you would get a positive OPK.
OPK's as HPT's:
using an ovulation test to confirm pregnancy
Overall-- yes, it can be done. Ovulation predictor tests (known as OPK's because they are normally sold in a set of tests known as a "kit," thus the K) will show a positive result when a woman is pregnant, as well as when she's ovulating.
Specifically-- while it works most of the time, there are good reasons to avoid using an OPK as an HPT for diagnostic purposes. If you want to pee on any stick that will stand still after you know you're pregnant, just for fun, have at it. But I would not recommend using an OPK in place of an HPT overall.
Reasoning-- OPK's detect LH (luteinizing hormone) which is the hormone associated with ovulation. Pregnancy tests detect hCG, the hormone associated with pregnancy. LH and hCG are, at a molecular level, nearly identical. hCG has a beta subunit, meaning it has an extra little "doodad." To use a stupid but easy to understand example, LH and hCG are identical twins, except that hCG wears a funny hat.
An OPK tests only for the part of the molecule that LH and hCG have in common (the "face" or "body" of the identical twins.) Essentially an OPK is saying:
So an OPK will turn positive when it detects either of the "identical twins"-- ovulation or pregnancy hormone.
The reverse is not true, however, because an HPT tests for the part of the molecule that is unique to hCG (the "hat.") So an HPT would say:
Therefore, a pregnancy test will turn positive only in the presence of hCG, whereas an OPK will turn positive in the presence of hCG or LH.
Now, it's important to note that OPK's work differently than HPT's. A pregnancy test will develop 2 lines only if hCG (pregnancy hormone) is detected. Thus, "a line is a line" when determining a positive HPT. OPK's work differently. An OPK has a "control" line and a "test" line, just like an HPT. Unlike an HPT, however, the mere presence of a "test" line does not mean the test is positive. The test line must be as dark as, or darker than, the control line to be a positive result (meaning that a surge was detected, rather than the ordinary amount of LH usually found in your urine every day.)
This means that there is already some ambiguity involved in reading an OPK's results. Sometimes the line is almost as dark as the control line, but perhaps not quite as dark. Sometimes only the edge turns dark, or the top half of the line is darker than the bottom.
Additionally, OPK's are not as sensitive as a lot of HPT's are. This means that, if pregnant, you are likely to get a positive HPT earlier than you would get a positive OPK.
I also tested this theory out, I had a neg OPK, when I got my pos. FR. but 2 days later my OPK was positive, thats when I knew my numbers must have been going up! I hope You get that BFP on the FRER!!!! I still think it could be early so just keep that in mind! :)
Well I went threw the same thing with opk. I got bright red even on 14dpo and I turned out not to be pregnant. I definetly think you should go with the hpt!
Hey Sue,
Don't throw in the towel yet! You still have time! I know you are anxious, but I recommend that you wait to test until you are late. Just because you got a positive that early last time does not mean you will get one that early this time.....remember every pregnacy is different.
I am still holding out for the good news!!!!
Rachel
Don't throw in the towel yet! You still have time! I know you are anxious, but I recommend that you wait to test until you are late. Just because you got a positive that early last time does not mean you will get one that early this time.....remember every pregnacy is different.
I am still holding out for the good news!!!!
Rachel
Thanks for the support, girls! I really really appreciate it so much! I'm bummed about the info on using an OPK as an HPT, but appreciate the info nonetheless.
Today's FRER was negative. I reacted with disbelief and somehow did not break down and sob. I decided very quickly that I needed to stay positive and not feel completely distraught. I had a ton of house cleaning to do (my parents are coming into town next week) so I couldn't break down or I wouldn't be able to get anything done all day. And I just didn't want to feel that utter devastation and go through that kind of sadness even if only for the day. So, I got everything done that I could today, took a much needed 2 hour nap, and went for a "family walk" with the dog. It was overall a really good day.
I'm still really dizzy and think it is either a sinus infection or allergies. I have to check weather.com to see if any allergens are really high right now. I think it may be one of those because I also have had daily headaches and fleeting nausea throughout the day.
Rachel: I really appreciate you mentioning that it could still be too early and that each pregnancy is different. You are totally right and I am holding out hope. Is 12 dpo really that early? I didn't think it was...
I still have yellow globby cm and that's the one symptom that has been consistent for the last 12 days and had me thinking. I just realized that I've had no cramping today. This is the first day I haven't had any cramps in about 10 days.
So on to tomorrow. A new day. A new test. Maybe a new result. Maybe not.
Love, Hugs & Appreciation,
~Sue
Today's FRER was negative. I reacted with disbelief and somehow did not break down and sob. I decided very quickly that I needed to stay positive and not feel completely distraught. I had a ton of house cleaning to do (my parents are coming into town next week) so I couldn't break down or I wouldn't be able to get anything done all day. And I just didn't want to feel that utter devastation and go through that kind of sadness even if only for the day. So, I got everything done that I could today, took a much needed 2 hour nap, and went for a "family walk" with the dog. It was overall a really good day.
I'm still really dizzy and think it is either a sinus infection or allergies. I have to check weather.com to see if any allergens are really high right now. I think it may be one of those because I also have had daily headaches and fleeting nausea throughout the day.
Rachel: I really appreciate you mentioning that it could still be too early and that each pregnancy is different. You are totally right and I am holding out hope. Is 12 dpo really that early? I didn't think it was...
I still have yellow globby cm and that's the one symptom that has been consistent for the last 12 days and had me thinking. I just realized that I've had no cramping today. This is the first day I haven't had any cramps in about 10 days.
So on to tomorrow. A new day. A new test. Maybe a new result. Maybe not.
Love, Hugs & Appreciation,
~Sue
Its not over until AF shows Sue, im glad you were able to keep busy and not break down. My fingers are crossed that its a BFP waiting.
Sue - 12DPO can definitely still be too early, especially if you implanted late!! Hang in there...like Latrice said...it's not over until AF shows! ;) I had to be gone all day yesterday (instead of usually staying at home with my laptop at hand!) and one of my thoughts was "OMG, I'm going to miss Sue's news!!" ;) I barely know you and yet a BFP for you would bring me happiness too!!! SSBD!
Great attitude Sue!!! I am sending you a big hug....can you feel it?!
Post early tomorrow, because I will be checking like a stalker!!!!
Rachel
Post early tomorrow, because I will be checking like a stalker!!!!
Rachel
You know I want this for you just as much as you do. I'm praying extra hard tonight for a faint line tomorrow. Big hugs!
Love ya!
Tina
Love ya!
Tina
~Sue,
I was told you can implant as late as 13DPO. It is not uncommen at all, My RE said it was actually very normal, You can still get symptoms from the little booger floating around in there! It will grab hold and not let go!!!! I'm glad you kept busy, I was worried about you! ***SSBD***
I was told you can implant as late as 13DPO. It is not uncommen at all, My RE said it was actually very normal, You can still get symptoms from the little booger floating around in there! It will grab hold and not let go!!!! I'm glad you kept busy, I was worried about you! ***SSBD***
You girls are the BEST! What nice messages to wake up to.
FRER running right now! I set the timer and I'm waiting for it to go off before I look.
I HATE walking up to it and see a big fat negative. It's soooooo disappointing.
~Sue
FRER running right now! I set the timer and I'm waiting for it to go off before I look.
I HATE walking up to it and see a big fat negative. It's soooooo disappointing.
~Sue
You're so great!
Well, maybe it's just my eyes laying tricks on me. You know how easy it is the conjure up even the faintest of lines. When I tip the stick back and forth under the light, it looks like there MIGHT be a line, but I'm really really unsure. I'll ask DH to take a look he just came in from walking the dog.
Well, maybe it's just my eyes laying tricks on me. You know how easy it is the conjure up even the faintest of lines. When I tip the stick back and forth under the light, it looks like there MIGHT be a line, but I'm really really unsure. I'll ask DH to take a look he just came in from walking the dog.
I don't know, K, my DH says he sees nothing. Of course he didn't scrutinize it the way I did. Maybe there was a shadow, but that's not good enough for me. Can 13 dpo be early, too?
Yes it can be too early if you implanted late. From what I've read, it takes a few days for enough HCG to be produced after implant to show up on a test. Sooo if you implanted at 11 or 12DPO...there might not be enough yet???
Sue~ All women are different, if you would have implanted at 6 or 7 dpo, No it wouldn't probly be too early. 10 or 11 dpo then yes could be! I was 17 dpo and got a very faint line, very. After blood work my HCG confimed that I was real early, My AM urine is not as strong as my eve. urine. The am after my BFP I got the slightest hint of a line, Thats why I was so nervous, but later that eve my line was a little darker again. Just try to be patient, test again later tonight or again in the am, You are still in the game sister! You are not out yet!!!! *****SSBD******
Ok I will keep my chin up and see what happens.
Amy, hopefully I implanted later on. I have to remind myself that every pregnancy is different.
Keisha, wow you didn't get a faint line until 17 dpo? That's good to hear!
I'll wait until tomorrow a.m. to test again. Maybe I'll test tonight, I don't know.
I still have a ton of yellow cm, so I'm still holding out hope.
Stay away bee-otch! Stay away!
~Sue
Amy, hopefully I implanted later on. I have to remind myself that every pregnancy is different.
Keisha, wow you didn't get a faint line until 17 dpo? That's good to hear!
I'll wait until tomorrow a.m. to test again. Maybe I'll test tonight, I don't know.
I still have a ton of yellow cm, so I'm still holding out hope.
Stay away bee-otch! Stay away!
~Sue
FYI ~ A girl on another forum, she left me a note, (hkenny) if you want to look at her S/S they are very similar to yours, she didn't get a faint line till she was 4 days late. Thought you would find that intresting. Check it out! STAY POSITIVE :)
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