Interesting 'Home Testing' article in Investors Business Daily:
Do's And Don'ts Of Home Medical Tests
They Give Early Results, But Don't Make You
A Doctor
Date: 8/4/98
Author: Melba Newsome
You can buy everything from antihistamines to muscle relaxants without
prescriptions. You can also check your cholesterol, monitor your blood
pressure and even screen for certain types of cancer yourself.
As with over-the-counter drugs, the variety of home medical tests
should continue to expand as people look for more ways to monitor their
health inexpensively, conveniently and privately, experts say.
''Fully 25% of diagnostic testing is now being done at home,'' said Keith
Hammond of Frost & Sullivan, an Oakland, Calif.-based research firm
tracking the test-kit industry. ''Home testing is definitely a growing
industry,'' Hammond said.
Despite their low price and convenience, these test kits shouldn't be
seen as a substitute for a trip to the doctor, experts say. They can
generate false positives (incorrectly indicating the presence of a
condition) or false negatives (not identifying a condition that is present),
especially if directions aren't followed precisely.
Skipping steps or not following dietary restrictions will almost surely
produce inaccurate results.
''For instance, tests for blood cholesterol can seem higher than normal
if a person fails to fast 12 hours before screening,'' said Dr. Al Tseng, a
doctor of internal medicine in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Some tests can be overly sensitive. The Food and Drug Administration
found the test for hidden fecal blood, a warning sign of colon cancer, so
sensitive that bleeding gums or certain foods can produce a positive
result.
Despite such problems, doctors widely recommend testing kits because
they encourage people to get early treatment.
''When performed accurately, the majority of these tests are very
accurate,'' Tseng said. ''Patients should confirm the test results with
their doctor before taking any action.''
With the exception of drug-abuse tests, all kits on the market must be
approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers must
convince the agency that their tests will benefit consumers and that
consumers will have the necessary information to decide whether
self-testing is appropriate.
Tests that involve shipping a urine specimen, such as the HIV test, are
checked first for tampering at a designated lab. You learn the results
anonymously by calling a toll-free number provided by the test maker.
Some of the most common tests on the market include:
Cholesterol tests. These measure whether total blood cholesterol is
elevated but don't distinguish between good (HDL) cholesterol and bad
(LDL) cholesterol. Results appear in 10 to 15 minutes ($10 to $15).
Complete diabetes monitoring kits. These kits measure blood sugar and
provide results in one to two minutes ($40 to $110).
Early pregnancy tests. The tests detect the presence of human
chorionic gonadotropin hormone in urine to tell if a woman is pregnant.
Results appear in one to 30 minutes ($18 to $30).
Electronic blood pressure monitors. These kits track fluctuations and
dangerous elevations in blood pressure and provide results in two to
five minutes ($90).
Hidden fecal blood tests. These test kits detect hidden blood in the
stool. Results are obtained in 15 seconds to two minutes ($10).
HIV home tests . For this test, you take your own blood sample and mail
it to a lab. You then check results anonymously in seven days ($40).
Ovulation predictor kits. These tests detect the presence of luteinizing
hormone in urine to see whether a woman is likely to ovulate soon.
Results appear in three minutes to one hour ($20 to $70).
For accurate home testing, the FDA suggests that you check a test's
expiration date. If the date is past, don't buy the product. Chemicals in
an outdated test may no longer work properly. Hence, the result may
not be valid.
Follow package directions on where to store the kit at home. Don't leave
temperature-sensitive products like ovulation and pregnancy tests in a
car trunk or in a sunny room, for example.
Read the insert completely. This should inform you of what the test is
intended to do and its limitations.
Review the instructions and pictures until you fully understand each
step. Then follow the instructions exactly, including the specimen
collection process. Sequence is very important, so do not skip steps.
Be precise when timing a step. Use a watch or clock with a second
hand.
Note any special precautions, such as avoiding physical activity or
certain foods before taking the test.
Consult your doctor, pharmacist or other health professional if you have
questions about the results.
(C) Copyright 1998 Investors Business Daily, Inc.
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