Can prenatal vitamins cause positive pregnancy test

• Biotin is the main vitamin in supplements that promise to improve your hair and nails.
• The FDA just released a warning about these supplements because they can skew the results of blood tests.
• Very high levels of biotin could cause a false positive on a pregnancy test or a false negative in a cancer screening.

Biotin, promoter of "Cher hair" and Rihanna-worthy nails, has always been a little controversial since claims that the vitamin can help you grow Rapunzel-length strands have never been substantiated by the FDA. Now, a new FDA warning outlines another caveat to consider before taking biotin: It could mess with blood test results.

Last year, we reported on a study suggesting that taking high doses of biotin could skew certain diagnostic test results leading to false positives or false negatives for everything from pregnancy to cancer. In a statement released this week, the FDA has confirmed the concern. "The FDA is alerting the public, health care providers, lab personnel, and lab test developers that biotin can significantly interfere with certain lab tests and cause incorrect test results which may go undetected," the statement reads.

Here's the deal: Biotin in your body (whether it comes from your diet or from popping a pill) bonds with certain proteins, which can be measured to detect a variety of health conditions. Doctors can measure your biotin levels as a way to determine the presence of said protein markers, but if you're taking a biotin supplement, that can make the test results inaccurate.

These falsely skewed tests could lead to serious consequences. According to the statement, "the FDA has seen an increase in the number of reported adverse events, including one death, related to biotin interference with lab tests."

Biotin is a natural vitamin — we get it from food like eggs, whole grains, and almonds, so in the right amounts, it's not a problem. The risk of ruining important test results comes into play with supplements, which can have up to 650 times the recommended daily intake of the vitamin, says the FDA. It's this level of biotin that could cause a false positive on a pregnancy test or a false negative in a cancer screening.

To avoid a potentially dangerous test result, make sure your doctor knows if you're taking biotin (remember, it might be in your multivitamin or prenatal vitamin even if you're not taking a specific supplement, adds the FDA) and that any lab you go to for blood work knows as well. "It's important to discuss any supplements (over-the-counter, vitamins, minerals, etc.) you are taking with your doctor because these supplements can have potentially adverse effects," says Sejal Shah, a dermatologist and founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology in New York City. "Just because something is OTC or natural doesn't mean that it is completely harmless."

If you think biotin might have played a role in the results of a recent lab test, report it to the FDA. "If you suspect or experience a problem with a laboratory test while taking biotin, we encourage you to file a voluntary report through MedWatch, the FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting program," the agency says.

The bottom line: Let your health-care team know you're popping extra biotin. Your doc will advise you what to do if you need biotin-based blood work.

Sign up  here  to get INSIDER's favorite stories straight to your inbox.

Most first-time pregnant women wonder what are the exact things to do after a positive pregnancy test. The experience is indescribable and can be very overwhelming when you see that pink plus sign or any indicators that shows a positive pregnancy test result.

Here is some important information to help you right after you discover that you are pregnant.

How To Tell If It’s A Positive Pregnancy Test Result?

A pregnancy test checks a woman’s urine or blood. The test detects the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is made by the placenta and when human chorionic gonadotropin is present, it may indicate that a woman is pregnant.

A pregnancy test is different from ovulation/fertility test. A pregnancy test kit is associated with the detection of hCG or human chorionic gonadotropin (This hormone can be detected in the mother’s urine or blood before the woman’s missed period). HCG is first detectable in the blood as early as 7-8 days after ovulation by very sensitive HCG assays (research assays). In real life, blood pregnancy tests will be positive (> 2 mIU/ml) by 10-11 days after LH surge.

A pregnancy test becomes positive only after the fertilised ovum has first implanted into the uterus and then sent enough amounts of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), into your blood stream and into your urine.

What To Do After A Positive Pregnancy Test?

It is very helpful to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle once you know that you are pregnant. Here are some tips to guide you on what to do after a positive pregnancy test for the safety of your baby.

1. Cigarette smoking has been related to low birth weight, premature birth and other pregnancy problems. If you smoke, stop or quit immediately.
2. Take regular exercise, or begin with less strenuous activities. This can be done by simple walking and swimming.
3. If you drink alcohol, limit your intake or cease drinking during the whole pregnancy.
4. Take prenatal vitamins such as iron and folic acid. You can get them over the counter or get a prescription from your doctor.
5. Have a regular prenatal check up with your physician. The doctor can suggest any tests that are necessary for you and your baby’s health. He will also assist you in planning your care and delivery choices.

False Positive Pregnancy Test Results And What Causes Them?

Occasionally, positive pregnancy test results can be a “False positive” result. This can be disappointing and are not usual, but this may occur for the following reasons:

Chemical pregnancy – This term is used for very early pregnancy loss. About half of all pregnancies are thought to end in miscarriage, usually sooner after conception. You may experience it even without knowing that you are pregnant. If a pregnancy test is taken very early in which hormone levels is at its peak, you may detect a positive hCG response and then go on to have a period.

Not following instructions – Home pregnancy kits have different ways in telling you if it is invalid, negative or a positive result. The best thing to do that is the same to all pregnancy home kits is to read what is written in the pouch of the product and follow the instructions.

Fertility treatments – There are some fertility treatments that contain hCG hormone and may return a false positive pregnancy if the hormone is still present.

How Long After A Positive Ovulation Test Will You Wait To Have A Positive Pregnancy Test Result?

Once you have performed an ovulation test and reveal a positive result, you will need to have more sexual intercourse over the following days to increase the chances of conception. The best recommendation on when to take a pregnancy test and have an accurate result is to be patient for at least until the first day when your period normally begins or until you have missed your monthly menstrual period. Otherwise you may test too soon and receive an inaccurate result that makes you more frustrated.

To increase your chances, simply test for ovulation first and then as soon as you have a positive result, have an intercourse with your partner over the next several days. Try and forget all about becoming pregnant and just be patient. If you think your period did not arrive on your expected date then think about taking a pregnancy test. This may not be the greatest advice to hear, but it really is the best way to have an accurate result regarding pregnancy.

You can check our Am I Pregnant Quiz to support your positive pregnancy test result.

Can prenatal vitamin affect pregnancy test?

Can vitamins give you a false positive pregnancy test?

Can anything else trigger a positive pregnancy test?

Can vitamins affect hCG levels?