Are Clearblue Pregnancy Tests Accurate After Abortion? | UK Guide 2025

‍‍This post was originally titled “How to Read a Clearblue Pregnancy Test.” We’ve updated it to better reflect post-abortion pregnancy test guidance in the UK.

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‍If you're considering a medication abortion, or have recently taken abortion pills, you may be wondering how to check if it worked. One of the most common methods is taking a pregnancy test.

But not all pregnancy tests are the same.

At Top at Home, we’re a private, CQC-registered telemedicine clinic offering abortion pills by post across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with same-day consultations and discreet 24-hour delivery. One of the most common questions we hear during follow-up care is:

“Can I just take a Clearblue test to check if the abortion worked?”

The short answer: Clearblue and other over-the-counter pregnancy tests aren't designed for post-abortion use. In this UK-based guide, we’ll explain why - including:

• What happens to your hCG levels after abortion
• How standard tests can give false positives
• Why low-sensitivity tests are recommended by both public and private providers
• What to do after a positive result
• And how to interpret common post-treatment questions

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Who is this guide for?

This post is for you if:

• You recently completed a medication abortion and want to confirm it worked
• You're exploring your pregnancy options after a positive test
• You’re confused by faint lines, false negatives, or which test to use
• You’re considering pills by post and want to understand what to expect

Whether you're using public NHS services, or a private telemedicine abortion provider like Top at Home, this guide will walk you through exactly what you need to know.

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How Pregnancy Tests Work - and Where They Fall Short

Most pregnancy tests detect the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in urine - a hormone that rises rapidly in early pregnancy. But here’s what many people don’t know:

• hCG stays in your system for up to two months - even after a successful abortion, even if you’re no longer pregnant. 

That means if you take a standard shop-bought pregnancy test soon after abortion, it may still show positive even though you're no longer pregnant. This doesn’t mean the abortion failed, it just means the hormone hasn't fully left your body yet.

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A Quick Look: Clearblue and Standard Pregnancy Tests

Clearblue is the most well-known pregnancy test brand in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, and it's highly accurate for detecting pregnancy. Here's a snapshot of the most popular clearblue test types:

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How to read a Clearblue test:

• Always check the control window - if there’s no line there, the test hasn’t worked
• Two lines or a digital display that says “Pregnant” means a positive
• One line or “Not pregnant” means negative

Each of these tests is very sensitive to hCG, even small amounts. That’s great if you’re trying to confirm a new pregnancy. But after abortion?

It’s the wrong kind of test.

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Why Over-the-Counter Pregnancy Tests Can Mislead You After Abortion Pills

After a medication abortion, your body may still have hCG in your system, even if the abortion was successful. This means:

• You could test positive even if you’re no longer pregnant
• You could test negative too early if hormone levels haven’t dropped enough
• You could get confused results and unnecessary anxiety

Clearblue and other shop-bought tests are designed for early pregnancy detection, not post-abortion confirmation.

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The Test We Use at Top at Home (and Why It’s Different)

Whether you go through a private provider like Top at Home, or a public option like the NHS, BPAS, MSI, or NUPAS - we all follow clinical guidance to recommend a low-sensitivity pregnancy test for post-abortion follow-up.

If you’re a Top at Home patient, your abortion care kit includes a Check4®-hCG(hl) pregnancy test - a professional-grade low-sensitivity test that detects if hCG is still above 1000 mIU/mL.

It’s designed specifically to confirm whether the abortion worked, and it won’t give you a false positive from lingering hormone levels.

This is not a classical pregnancy test. It’s only provided by professionals, for post-abortion use.

What makes it different?

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Clearblue and other shop-bought tests are too sensitive. They pick up trace hCG that may still be in your system even if your abortion was successful, which can cause unnecessary anxiety or confusion.

That’s why low-sensitivity tests are considered best practice in both public and private abortion care in the UK.

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How Long Does hCG Stay in Your System After a Medication Abortion?

After taking abortion pills, hCG levels gradually decline. But everybody is different.

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Common questions we receive:

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1. How long does hCG stay in your system after an abortion?‍

Scientific studies indicate that hCG levels begin to fall rapidly after abortion, with a significant drop (often 80–98%) within the first 1–2 weeks.The average time for hCG to fall to a very low level (2 mIU/ml) was approximately 5 weeks. Clinical resources and abortion care providers like MSI state that hCG can remain detectable for up to two months after an abortion, and it is not unusual for a pregnancy test to remain positive for several weeks. This varies by individual, the duration of pregnancy, and how your body metabolises hormones.

2. What’s the cut-off for hCG levels post-abortion?‍

A non-pregnant person typically has under 5 mIU/mL of hCG. A level above 25 mIU/mL is often considered a sign of pregnancy. Standard tests may detect levels as low as 6 mIU/mL, which is why they’re too sensitive post-abortion.

3. What is the minimum hCG level for pregnancy?‍

Most pregnancies will begin producing hCG once the embryo implants - roughly 10-14 days post-ovulation. Levels start around 5–50 mIU/mL and double every 48-72 hours. This is why Clearblue can still show a positive result even after a successful abortion.

4. Can hCG cause miscarriage or abortion?‍

There is no evidence that hCG causes miscarriage or abortion. In fact, hCG is sometimes given as a treatment to try to prevent recurrent miscarriage, though the evidence for its benefit is mixed and not conclusive

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After a Positive Test: What Are My Options?

If you’ve taken a test and it’s positive, your next step is a personal one, and no one can make it for you. Whether this was a long-awaited result or has come as a bit of a surprise, it can feel overwhelming. It’s understandable if you’re not sure what to do next

Some people will continue the pregnancy. Others may want to end it - and if you're still within 10 weeks, you're legally eligible in the UK to have a medication abortion (pills by post).

The most important thing to note is if you do want a medication abortion, we recommend the earlier you decide, the more straightforward and effective treatment will be.

According to the NHS, medication abortion is over 98% effective when done under 10 weeks.

👉 Check if you’re eligible for abortion pills by post →

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Final Thoughts: Use the Right Tool for the Right Moment

Pregnancy tests are powerful tools, but only if used in the right way, at the right time.

• If you’re confirming a pregnancy, Clearblue works well
• If you’ve had an abortion, don’t rely on shop-bought tests
• Always follow your provider’s guidance, and use a low-sensitivity test to confirm completion

Whether you’re with Top at Home or another provider, you deserve clear answers and trusted care.

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Get Support from Top at Home

Top at Home is a CQC-registered telemedicine clinic providing safe, confidential abortion care across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We offer same-day virtual consultations 7 days a week, with 24-hour delivery of MHRA-approved abortion pills - all for £399, including your complete care package.

What’s included in your pills-by-post abortion care:

• Personalised care from CQC-registered gynaecologists who specialise exclusively in medication abortion
• MHRA-approved abortion pills, pain relief, and a professional-grade low-sensitivity pregnancy test
• Discreet, 24-hour delivery in unmarked packaging
• Ongoing, compassionate aftercare - always available when you need it
• Prefer to speak in person? We also offer in-clinic consultations in London and Birmingham

If you want to learn more about Top at Home's pills by post service, you can check here:

👉 Learn how pills by post works with Top at Home

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