Reusable pregnancy test - Trying to Conceive (TTC) Message Board

Koukla12905 · 10-14-2008, 11:05 AM

A friend of mine once mentioned to me a "reusable" HPT- the same kind as First Response, EPT, etc., but you buy strips to put in it and then just throw the strip away after you test. Apparently you can also use it earlier as it can detect lower levels of HCG than the others. I don't remember what it's called, but does anyone here know what I'm referring to, or have you tried it? I'm just wondering if it's worth the extra money to have a reuseable HPT considering it takes most women about 3 months TC and I'll probably test more than once even after getting a BFP just to make sure.
Also, assuming I don't buy one of those, I've read on this board that some lucky ladies have gotten BFPs even before missing a period, but every test I've used says something along the lines of "accurate as early as the first day after a missed period". So does it matter what kind of HPT I use? Will they all (depending on my levels, of course) give me an accurate answer even if I don't wait until Af doesn't show, but test around 12 DPO? At $10 a test for the store brand, I'd prefer not to have to buy half a dozen if I'm testing at the wrong time... does anyone have any recommendations?

elainee · 10-14-2008, 12:34 PM

Hi Koukla,

I've never heard of reusable HPT's before, so I can't help you there. Personally I buy cheap strips online. I think it's 10 for about $30. They detect as little as 10somethings of HCG in the urine where most of the branded ones you buy don't detect till about 50somethings (sorry can't remember the exact phrase).
When I got my BFP (which ended in miscarriage unfortunately) I first used a cheap one 12dpo and it came up positive, then I got a branded one and it was positive too. From my experience, I would trust the result of the cheap ones as much as I would the expensive ones, but no doubt if/when I get a bfp again I'll confirm it with a more expensive one as well.

Good luck xx

Koukla12905 · 10-15-2008, 12:20 AM

Thanks for the info Elainee. I do still have a store brand HPT gathering dust in the medicine cabinet, so that would be getting used first regardless; but now that I've off the pill after 4 years I don't know how my cycles are going to be, so I imagine there will be a good deal of testing in my future, unless we manage to hit the jackpot already or do this next time. I suppose even if my levels aren't high enough for a BFP the first time, I'll figure it out eventually.

So sorry to hear about your m/c, I hope to hear you've got a BFP soon!