Do steroids cause a false positive pregnancy test?

No, steroids do not cause false positive pregnancy tests. However, hCG levels can be elevated in some people who are not pregnant, including those taking steroids. This is because steroids can interfere with the body's production and metabolism of hCG, which is the hormone that is detected in pregnancy tests.

Steroids can potentially interfere with the accuracy of pregnancy tests due to their hormonal properties. These drugs, commonly prescribed for various medical conditions, may disrupt the normal levels of hormones in the body, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

HCG is the hormone produced during pregnancy and is responsible for the positive result in most pregnancy tests. However, certain steroids can mimic or cross-react with hCG, leading to a false positive result. Steroids do not directly cause pregnancy nor induce the production of hCG, but they can affect the test results.

It's essential for individuals taking steroids to inform their healthcare provider or the laboratory conducting the pregnancy test about their steroid usage. This allows for proper interpretation of the results and ensures accurate determination of pregnancy status.