Within hours of 6-24 hours of conception the fertilized ovum produces a protein called Early Pregnancy Factor (EPF) designed to prepare the mother's body for pregnancy. There's speculation that this EPF is the substance that's responsible for the earliest of pregnancy symptoms. The phenomenon is well-documented and there has even been discussion of developing pregnancy tests based on the presence of EPF but 1) it apparently would be a lot more complicated/expensive than the current HCG pee sticks, and 2) a significant percentage of fertilized embryos never implant, so it would be a lot less reliable in predicting actual live births.
So you could very easily conceive and have early PG symptoms but never make it to implantation, get a negative HPT, and then discount what you felt, thinking it was just PMS (or all in your head) when really it wasn't. I think this is one area where women have been taught to dismiss their own instincts much too easily. It's important to pay attention to your body. If this same pattern occurs repeatedly it could be an important sign that you have an implantation problem. That was my experience to a T.