Are Digital Pregnancy Tests More Sensitive?

Many women are starting to favor the digital pregnancy test. Women who want to become pregnant or were pregnant find the test quite useful. People like that the screen is so easy to read, making it easy to eliminate the guess work on what the results are. This is an area for a lot of confusion in the pregnancy tests that aren’t digital. However, what about the sensitivity of digital pregnancy test? Is it more accurate?

Are Digital Pregnancy Tests More Sensitive?

Often, digital tests are more sensitive than non-digital tests. The tests that can get you accurate results the earliest are digital tests at this current time. It is important to note it isn’t the fact it is digital that makes it more sensitive. The way that the test is designed is what makes it more sensitive.

To determine how sensitive pregnancy tests are, see if they label the level of hCG they test for. Most sensitive tests detect hCG at about 20 mIU. You can use ClearBlue Advance pregnancy test as early as six days before a missed cycle simply because it has sensitivity levels that are set low. The best way to know if you are getting the most sensitive test is to check to see how early you can get results. Some tests state the level of hCG it tests for, but others simply state when the test will give back results.

Are Digital Pregnancy Tests More Accurate?

Are digital pregnancy tests more sensitive? Yes. What about the accuracy? Digital pregnancy tests are rated with a 99 percent accuracy rating. Part of what determines its accuracy is when you use the test. To get this high of an accuracy rating, you need to take the test the day when you have missed a period. Some digital tests can be used as early six as days before your missed cycle, but accuracy ratings are very different, depending on when the test is taken.

If your levels of hCG aren’t high enough, you won’t get an accurate digital test. These levels won’t start to increase until the fertilized egg is implanted. This can be just a couple of days to a week after conception. Then your body can take a couple of days just to double this hormone when pregnant. For some women, this may mean weeks until they can easily determine they are pregnant.

Digital pregnancy tests are more accurate the longer you wait to take them. Also, remember some women don’t see the increase in hCG as quickly as others, so the test won’t be as quick to get their results. Don’t let negative results keep you from hoping.

Review of Pregnancy Test Sensitivity

Are digital pregnancy tests more sensitive? You already know the answer. There are various pregnancy tests in the market. What are their accuracy?

You will find the most sensitive tests can detect as little as 20 mIU/hCG. This is the typical amount found in a pregnant woman who is about a week past ovulation, which is why it allows for such early testing. If you get a too sensitive test, it may detect hCG at low levels that occur naturally in a non-pregnant woman, so be cautious.

Many ladies want to know quickly, which is why high sensitivity tests are popular. This is especially true for those excited to start a family. If you chart your ovulation and know where you are every cycle, highly sensitive tests are perfect. You can test about a week after ovulation. Bear in mind a negative test may not be accurate when testing so early. This is just the window when you may see a positive change based on average hCG levels. For increased accuracy, test with your ‘first morning’ urine, which is when your hormone levels will be most high.

Are digital pregnancy tests more sensitive? Yes. But are they always better? When selecting a high-sensitivity test, there is a disadvantage that should be noted. That is the case of chemical pregnancy. A chemical pregnancy typically happens when a miscarriage happens early in pregnancy. When this happens, hCG is continued to be reproduced for a short period. Most women would not know about these chemical pregnancies if it was not for early testing because they often end before physical symptoms manifest, such as the first missed period. In this case, you may get positive results first and then negative once the hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels.

Test Name

hCG Rating in mIU

Aim Strip

20

Wondfro

25

Accuclear

25

Answer Early Result

25

Clearblue Easy +

25

Clearblue Easy Digital

25

Clear Choice w cup

25

Confirm 1-step

25

CVS digital

25

CVS Early Result

25

Dollar Store Brand

25

Early Detect

25

e.p.t. +/-

25

e.p.t. Digital Test

25

Equate +/-

25

Equate

25

Fact Plus +/-

25

First Response Early Result

25

One Step Be Sure

25

Right Aid Brand

25

Target /Up & Up Brand

25

Walgreen Midstream

25

Walgreen Digital

25

Fact Plus Cassette

40

CVS One-Step

50

CVS ‘Early Result’

50

Drug Emporium

50

Early pregnancy

50

Eckerd

50

Walgreens Cassette

50

Answer Lab Pregnancy

Not sure but 99% accurate from day of missed cycle