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Biotech / Medical : Trinity Biotech (TRIBY) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Scott H. Davis who wrote (9953)	8/4/1998 9:20:00 AM
From: Rob LeVine	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 14328

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. Metadata: E/IBD E/SN1 E/FRT E/NFY