So, you think you might be pregnant and you want to try an at-home pregnancy test? They can be expensive especially if you need to test often or take multiple tests over time. Dollar General pregnancy tests are affordable, but are they accurate?
Dollar General sells inexpensive pregnancy tests and the results are 99% accurate. It is important to test at the right time, carefully follow the instructions that come with the test, and allow the appropriate time for the results to develop. Failing to do these things can provide inaccurate results in some cases.
In this article, you’ll discover how accurate and dependable Dollar General pregnancy tests are and why they’re so cheap. Read on to also learn when to take these tests, how to use them, and how to read the results.
Table of Contents
Can you trust DollarGeneral pregnancy tests?
When you think you may be pregnant, the dependability of the at-home test you use is important. Inaccurate results can cause a delay in necessary care or undue stress.
The process that uses urine for a pregnancy test at your doctor’s office is basically the same as the at-home tests including Dollar General pregnancy tests. When used correctly, at-home tests have about the same accuracy rates as those performed in your doctor’s office.
These tests use a reactive paper that detects a special hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) that’s only present in a woman’s blood and urine during pregnancy. If the test strip detects the hCG hormone in the urine, it reacts with the paper to produce a positive reading.
Who makes the Dollar General pregnancy test?
Dollar General pregnancy tests are manufactured in China by Abbott Diagnostics Co., Ltd. The same test gets distributed under several names by Inverness Medical LLC in the United States including “Dollar General Health,” and “Walmart Equate First Signal One Step Pregnancy Test.”
Why are Dollar General pregnancy tests so cheap?
Over-the-counter pregnancy tests use a chemically reactive strip of paper that detects the presence of hCG. Since this is really the only thing needed to determine if you’re pregnant, they are inexpensive to make. Dollar General pregnancy tests are also not “early” pregnancy tests, which makes them less expensive than those that can detect pregnancy earlier.
They also don’t advertise their tests. With more expensive tests, you’re paying for marketing, advertising, and a brand name as well as the test kit.
Is the Dollar General pregnancy test FDA approved?
Yes, FDA regulates all home pregnancy tests sold in the United States. So, if it’s legally sold in the US it’s FDA approved.
Are dollar store pregnancy tests accurate?
As with any pregnancy test, there is a slight possibility of either a false negative or positive result. If your results are unexpected, you should consult your primary healthcare provider for an in-office test and follow-up.
Since the Dollar General tests are not as sensitive as early detection tests, you’ll need to wait a few days after you miss your period before you take a test. The best time is usually 3 – 7 days after you miss your period to ensure you don’t get a false negative. False positives are rare and may be due to other health conditions that should be evaluated.
False-Positive Results
A false-positive result may occur under any one of the following conditions:
- A chemical pregnancy
- Elevated hCG levels due to menopause
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Ovarian conditions including cysts
If you receive positive results but don’t believe you’re pregnant, you should consult with your primary healthcare provider. False positives are very infrequent and may be indicative of other health concerns.
False Negative Results
False negatives are slightly more common than false positives. Most commonly, this is caused by failure to follow the test instructions by:
- Taking the test too soon
- Timing the test incorrectly
- Diluted urine
Since they are so inexpensive, many women buy two or three test kits at once just to make sure their results are accurate.
How sensitive are the Dollar General pregnancy tests?
Dollar General pregnancy tests are not as sensitive as the most expensive tests like the brand First Response. The sensitivity rating on a pregnancy test indicates how quickly after you become pregnant that the test can detect the changes in hCG levels.
Dollar General pregnancy tests are most accurate when taken a few days after you’ve missed starting your period. The longer you wait, the more accurate the test. If you take the test too soon, you can get a false negative result because your hCG levels were not yet high enough for the test to detect.
Here are some additional suggestions to ensure the most accurate test results.
- Use the first urine of the day to test. Your hCG level is more concentrated first thing in the morning so it’s easier for the test to detect.
- If you take a test later in the day, try to make sure the urine you use has been in your bladder for at least 4 hours.
- Do not drink a lot of fluids before you take the test. Consuming excess fluids before taking a pregnancy test could dilute your hCG levels.
How much HCG does the Dollar General pregnancy test detect?
Dollar General pregnancy tests can detect 25 mIU/ml of hCG in urine. This is the most common level for at-home pregnancy tests except those designed specifically for earliest detection.
Dollar General tests aren’t made for the earliest detection even though they say you can test before your missed period. You’re more likely to get a false positive if you test too soon.
How early do Dollar General pregnancy tests work?
According to the package instructions, Dollar General pregnancy tests can work as early as the first day of a missed period. However, the general consensus among experts is you get the most accurate results from at-home pregnancy tests when your period is a week late.
Dollar General pregnancy test instructions
Using the Dollar General One Step Pregnancy Test is super easy. Always read the instructions that come with the test to ensure accurate results.
Make sure you also check the expiration date that’s printed on the foil pouch before opening it.
Instructions:
- Urinate into a clean, dry cup or container. The test device is not designed to be put under a urine stream.
- Remove the test device from the pouch.
- Hold the dropper vertically and transfer 3 full drops of urine into the Sample Well of the test device and then begin timing.
Positive results may appear as early as 60 seconds, however, wait at least 3 minutes to read the results. If no red line appears, wait 1 minute longer. Do not read the result after 10 minutes.
Dollar General pregnancy test results
Reading the Dollar General pregnancy test is easy. Be sure to wait 3 full minutes after dropping the urine onto the test window of the device.
If you’re testing earlier than a week after your missed period, you may need to wait an additional minute to ensure an accurate result. Never read a test after 10 minutes, the results could be invalid.
Pregnant
The presence of two red lines in the Results Window indicates you are likely pregnant. The line in the upper region of the test device is the control line. The line in the lower region is the test result. One line may be lighter than the other. They do not have to match for you to be pregnant, they just both need to be present.
Not Pregnant
The presence of only one red line in the upper (control) region of the Result Window means you are probably not pregnant.
Invalid Result
If no red line appears in the upper (control) region of the Result Window after 3-4 minutes, the result is invalid and you should repeat the test with a new test device. The device is not reusable.
Dollar General pregnancy test reviews
Most women who use Dollar General pregnancy tests leave positive reviews indicating they are happy with the ease of use and especially the price. Here are a few comments from reviewers of the Dollar General pregnancy test:
- Saves money if you have to test more than once a month
- The positive result line can be very faint, but the test still works great
- Affordable to use if you’re worried in the first few weeks
- Fast and easy to read
- Very accurate and detects very early
- Test unit window does not absorb urine well
- Prefer the tests you place under a stream of urine instead of using a dropper
Most reviews and articles written about the Dollar General pregnancy tests report a positive experience and accurate results. As noted throughout this article, it is important to test at the right time, follow the directions that come with the test carefully and allow the appropriate time for the results to develop.
