A pregnancy test can show a positive result as early as 10 to 14 days after conception, which is generally around the time of your expected period
. Some highly sensitive tests can detect the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) even 4 to 6 days before a missed period, though accuracy is lower at this early stage
. Key points about timing and accuracy:
- hCG is produced only after the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, which usually happens about 6 to 12 days after ovulation
- Early tests detect low levels of hCG, but if taken too soon, the test may show a false negative because hCG levels are not yet high enough
- For the most reliable results, it is recommended to take the test after you have missed your period, ideally using the first morning urine when hCG concentration is highest
- Some tests claim to detect pregnancy up to 6 days before a missed period, but accuracy improves significantly closer to or after the missed period, reaching over 99% when instructions are followed correctly
- If tested early and the result is negative but pregnancy is still suspected, retesting a few days later is advised
In summary, while a pregnancy test can sometimes show positive as early as 10 days post-conception, waiting until after a missed period provides the most accurate and reliable result.
