Ms. Terrie is a clinical pharmacy writer
based in Haymarket, Virginia.
Recommending
At-Home Tests: Key Tips
- Check the expiration date of testing kits
before use.
- Read the instructions before testing and
adhere to the step-by-step directions.
- Understand the testing procedure and
factors that may interfere with the
accuracy of the selected test.
- If unsure about the testing procedure or
results, contact the primary care provider
or the manufacturer.
- Use an accurate timing device when
performing the tests.
- If using collection testing kits that
require mailing, proper collection, storage,
and shipment are critical to obtaining
accurate results.
- Report positive test results immediately
to the primary care provider to confirm
results and obtain further medical
evaluation.
- Question negative test results and
confer with the primary care provider,
especially if experiencing any symptoms
or have any concerns.
- Patients with visual impairments or
problems with dexterity-ask for
assistance when performing tests or be
referred to their primary care provider
for testing.
- Patients with bleeding disorders or
taking anticoagulants-because excessive
bleeding may occur with tests that
require a finger stick blood sample-
confer with the primary care provider
before using.
Adapted from reference 2.
Pharmacists can be a patient's
best resource with regard to the
proper selection of the various
at-home diagnostic and monitoring tests
currently on the market. These products
fall into the personal diagnostics category.
At-home diagnostic tests may assist
patients in detecting or monitoring certain
medical conditions, according to
the FDA's Office of In Vitro Diagnostic
Device Evaluation and Safety.1 At-home
testing provides various advantages,
such as privacy, convenience, ease of
use, and low cost. The FDA classifies athome
test kits into 2 categories1:
- Test Kit—the patient collects the
sample, performs the test, and reads
the results.
- Collection Kit—the patient collects
the sample, mails it to a laboratory,
and obtains the results via phone.
Self-diagnostic kits provide patients
with information about their current
health condition, which enables them
to make informed decisions. Although
the use of diagnostic kits may be convenient,
the kits should never replace a
follow-up visit with a physician. Proper
use of these tests and adhering to the
manufacturer's directions regarding
testing protocol are crucial to obtaining
accurate results.2 At-home diagnostic
tests may provide a patient with valuable
information and enable patients to
seek medical intervention earlier, preventing
further medical complications.
The Table lists some of the various
types of at-home tests available.
Selecting an At-Home
Diagnostic Kit
Types of Diagnostic Kits |
- Allergy
- Anemia
- Cholesterol
- Drug abuse
- Fecal occult blood
- Hepatitis C
- HIV
- Male infertility
- Menopause
- Ovulation predictor
- Pregnancy
- Prothrombin time
- Urinary tract infections
- Yeast infections
|
Adapted from references 1 and 2 |
The FDA requires that at-home tests
perform as well as those used by health
care professionals; however, these
tests must be used properly to ensure
accurate results.2 Pharmacists can be
a fundamental source of information
for patients seeking the use of at-home
diagnostic test kits, as well as making
certain that patients are adequately
counseled on their proper use. Often
the selection of appropriate at-home
tests may be based on ease of use, ease
of interpreting results, presence of a
control, and cost.2
During counseling, pharmacists also
may assess the patient's symptoms and
ascertain if immediate medical evaluation
is warranted. It is important for
patients to consult with a health care
professional, if needed, as well as the
patient information hotlines found in
most kits, if patients are unsure about
test results or testing procedure. Patients
also should be reminded that
although these testing kits may be beneficial,
patients should always maintain
routine visits to their primary health
care provider.
Examples of Available At-Home Diagnostic Tests |
Allergy
- MyAllergyTest Tests for Airborne and Food Allergens (ImmuneTech)
|
Anemia
- BIOSAFE Anemia Meter (BIOSAFE Medical Technologies Inc)
|
Cholesterol
- BIOSAFE Cholesterol Panel (BIOSAFE Medical Technologies Inc)
- CardioChek HDL Cholesterol Test Strips (Polymer Technology
Systems Inc)
- CARE Cholesterol (CARE Products Inc)
- CholesTrak (AccuTech LLC)
- EarlyDETECT Cholesterol Test (EarlyDETECT)
- First Check Home Cholesterol Test (First Check Diagnostics LLC)
- Home Access Full Cholesterol Panel (Home Access Health Corp)
|
Colorectal Screening
- EarlyDETECT Colorectal Home Screening Test Kit (EarlyDETECT)
- EZ DETECT (Biomerica Inc)
|
Diabetes
- BIOSAFE Hemoglobin A1C Test (BIOSAFE Medical Technologies Inc)
- EarlyDETECT Glucose Home Screening Test Kit (EarlyDETECT)
|
Drug Abuse
- First Check Home 12 Drug Test (First Check Diagnostics LLC)
|
Hepatitis C
- Home Access Hepatitis C Test (Home Access Health Corp)
|
HIV
- Home Access Express HIV-1 Test (Home Access Health Corp)
- Home Access HIV-1 Standard Test (Home Access Health Corp)
|
Menopause
- Early DETECT Menopause Home Test Kit (EarlyDETECT)
|
Ovulation
- Clearblue Easy Digital Ovulation Test (Inverness Medical Innovation
Inc)
- First Response Daily Ovulation Test (Church & Dwight Co Inc)
|
Pregnancy
- Clear Blue Easy Pregnancy Test (Inverness Medical Innovation Inc)
- e.p.t. (Pfizer)
- Fact Plus (Inverness Medical Innovation Inc)
- First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test (Church & Dwight Co
Inc)
|
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
- BIOSAFE PSA Screen (BIOSAFE Medical Technologies Inc)
|
Thyroid
- BIOSAFE Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (BIOSAFE Medical
Technologies Inc)
|
Urinary Tract Infection
- AZO Test Strips (Amerifit Brands Inc)
- EarlyDETECT Urinary Tract Infection Home Test Kit (EarlyDETECT)
- Women's Wellbeing UTI (Consumer Choice Systems)
|
Yeast Infection
- Vagisil Screening Kit (Combe Inc)
|