Last month we launched the two-part series, At Home Testing Kits. Just to quickly recap, home testing kits are like mini laboratories that consumers can purchase online or at their local pharmacy. They’re designed to diagnose various medical conditions. And when we say “various,” we’re not kidding. You can buy an at home testing kit to diagnose conditions like heart disease, contagious viruses, allergies and different types of cancers. The way the process works is that patients use the kit to provide and then mail a specimen to a lab and then they receive a diagnosis about a week later.
In part I of this series, we provided detailed information about at home testing kits, such as how self tests are different from self-collection tests. So if you need a refresher, be sure to check out that post. But with no further delay, here are more at home testing kits that ordinary consumers can purchase and then use to diagnose any number of medical conditions — for the most part, no Rx or copay is required.
At Home Chlamydia Testing
Chlamydia is one of the most common STDs diagnosed in men and women of all ages, but is found most often in young women. Symptoms can include genital pain and discharge.
Home test or self-collection: Self-collection
Prescription or OTC: OTC
Specimen type: Genital swab, blood or urine sample
Timeframe for results: About two weeks
Accuracy rate: 92% for positive results and 98% for negative results, according to Healthline
More information: Nurx has a self-collection kit for a variety of STDs, including chlamydia, HIV, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Everylywell produces kits that test for a variety of infections but are known for having higher accuracy rates because the kits are gender-specific.
At Home Cholesterol Testing
A cholesterol blood test measures cholesterol and fat levels in the blood. High cholesterol levels, specifically “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, can lead to heart disease, which increases the patient’s risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Home test or self-collection: Self-collection
Prescription or OTC: OTC
Specimen type: Blood sample
Timeframe for results: Several days
Accuracy rate: It varies, but is not as high as lab tests that analyze a larger volume of blood
More information: Home cholesterol tests can be problematic because many check total cholesterol rather than just the kind that tends to cause trouble. Also, the results can be difficult for patients to read on their own, according to Harvard Medical School. Cholesterol levels are interpreted in terms of varying national guidelines. Also, results should be viewed in line with patients’ overall health and health conditions.
At Home Colon Cancer Testing
Colon cancer originates in the colon or rectum. It’s a type of cancer that’s often caught late, which can result in worse outcomes compared to cancers that are typically caught earlier. One reason that colon cancer is not diagnosed sooner is that people don’t like getting a colonoscopy — the best screening tool for diagnosing the disease. If it weren’t for this one complication, more people would survive this terrible disease.
Home test or self-collection: Self-collection
Prescription or OTC: Rx
Specimen type: Stool sample
Timeframe for results: At least two weeks
Accuracy rate: 79% to 92%
More information: Experts suggest the first screening for colorectal cancer occurs at age 45 via colonoscopy procedure, which is performed at a doctor’s office. This is the most thorough screening tool for detecting masses or polyps that are or at risk of developing into cancer. According to the Cleveland Clinic, home colon cancer testing kits can be a good choice for patients who can’t have an anesthetic and those who can’t do the necessary bowel prep. Also, at home colon cancer testing kits are only recommended for those who are at average risk for this disease — no symptoms, no family history of colon cancer, and no risk factors. Cologuard is one of the most accurate at home colon cancer testing kits. Most patients who have insurance don’t pay anything for their kit or lab screening.
At Home DNA Testing
Fairly new to the at home testing kit world, DNA tests are popular for helping customers study their lineage and giving adoptees the tools to track down biological relatives. They’re also able to detect genetic conditions. For users who were raised by their birth parents and are familiar with their relatives, then DNA testing provides fascinating insights on their background and personal traits. But for anyone who was adopted or has very little living family to speak of, DNA tests can provide crucial medical information, such as cancer risks and genetic conditions that run in their biological family.
Home test or self-collection: Self-collection
Prescription or OTC: OTC
Specimen type: Saliva sample
Timeframe for results: Several weeks
Accuracy rate: “No test offers a truly comprehensive health risk assessment,” according to JAMA Internal Medicine Patient Page
More information: “Although genes can considerably influence health, they are just one piece of the puzzle,” says JAMA. “Other factors such as diet, exercise, and family medical history are equally important.” AncestryDNA was rated by the New York Times best DNA test kit because it has the largest database of stored genetic information.
Food Sensitivity Testing At Home
Food allergies affect about 10 percent of adults. When people with a food allergy accidentally or unknowingly consume the wrong food, their body increases the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE). Food allergy and food sensitivity testing at home kits analyze blood for these antibodies, but unfortunately, cannot conclusively diagnose an allergy — only that the patient has antibodies consistent with an allergic reaction. Anyone who takes a home allergy test and receives a positive result should see a specialist for an official diagnosis.
Home test or self-collection: Self-collection
Prescription or OTC: OTC
Specimen type: Blood sample
Timeframe for results: About one or two weeks
Accuracy rate: Does not diagnose allergies
More information: Home allergy testing kits are designed to find antibodies in the blood. TestMyAllergy analyzes blood samples against 78 common allergies and intolerance substances. An intolerance, unlike an allergy, does not produce antibodies, but can still be debilitating. For example, while lactose intolerance can cause severe abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhea, it’s not considered a food allergy. Many home allergy tests double as a food sensitivity testing kit. They look for common food allergies, like soy, shellfish and peanuts, as well as environmental allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and ragweed.
At Home STD Testing
Herpes is the second most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It’s known for causing painful sores on the mouth and/or genitals. With a few exceptions, oral herpes tends to be spread via saliva while genital herpes is transmitted through unprotected intercourse. While there’s no cure for herpes, the reason it’s important to get a diagnosis is so that infected individuals don’t pass the lifetime infection onto a partner. Antiviral medications can help sores heal faster, lessen the severity and duration of symptoms, reduce the frequency of outbreaks, and minimize the chances of transmission.
Home test or self-collection: Self-collection
Prescription or OTC: OTC
Specimen type: Blood sample
Timeframe for results: Several days
Accuracy rate: 97% to 98%
More information: The biggest benefit of ordering a home testing kit for herpes is the privacy it offers. MyLab Box has a kit that provides test results via email after a few days and provides free phone consultations with a doctor when someone receives a positive diagnosis.
At Home Hormone Testing
Hormones are responsible for running and maintaining systems throughout the body. It’s common to hear about hormones in connection to women’s health. But men are just as reliant on hormones, such as testosterone. When someone’s hormone levels are off-balance, it can result in a thyroid disorder, fatigue, mood swings, and even increased cancer risk.
Home Test or self-collection: Self-collection
Prescription or OTC: OTC
Specimen type: Blood sample
Timeframe for results: Several days
Accuracy rate: Not as accurate as on-site testing
More information: At home hormone testing is a good idea for those looking for an overall health outlook, but physician-administered tests are much more comprehensive. Also, hormone test results can be extremely difficult for patients to interpret. LetsGetChecked manufactures gender-specific home hormone testing kits, which experts recommend since males and females have different hormone-related concerns. And since hormone levels and activity are constantly in flux, the company also offers a prescription service and app so that subscribers can track their hormone health.
At Home Lyme Disease Testing
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection. It’s transmitted to humans via deer ticks. People who live alongside deer populations, usually near forests or in rural areas, are more likely to get the disease that’s responsible for causing debilitating short and long-term symptoms. Essentially, at home Lyme disease testing kits are designed to search the blood for antibodies to the bacteria that causes the infection.
Home test or self-collection: Self-collection
Prescription or OTC: OTC
Specimen type: Blood
Timeframe for results: Several days
Accuracy rate: These kits do not diagnose Lyme disease, but rather, identify whether bacteria antibodies are present in the blood.
More information: It’s not uncommon for these tests to either not detect antibodies or find antibodies that are indicative of a past infection (not related to Lyme disease). For that reason, these kits only reveal if the blood tests positive or negative for IgM and IgG antibodies. Patients should discuss their results and symptoms with a physician in order to get a conclusive diagnosis. For those who receive a negative result but continue to have symptoms, experts suggest having more than one Lyme disease test.
At Home Sleep Apnea Testing
Sleep apnea, also known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is a condition that causes patients to stop breathing while asleep. Many people suffering from OSA have multiple occurrences during the night in which they stop breathing. The most severely affected can experience hundreds of episodes per night. So it’s not surprising that symptoms of OSA are daytime exhaustion, cognitive decline, mood swings, and depression.
Home test or self-collection: Home test
Prescription or OTC: Rx
Specimen type: None
Timeframe for results: A few days
Accuracy rate: Home OSA tests are not diagnostic devices
More information: At home sleep apnea testing is more convenient and costs less than an official sleep apnea sleep study. However, they’re designed to monitor a person’s breathing, not the quality of their sleep. So in that sense, these kits are not for diagnosing OSA. To get a conclusive sleep apnea diagnosis, patients should enroll in a sleep study where an expert analyzes the quality of different sleep stages and also monitors the patient’s breathing patterns during sleep. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, at home sleep tests can pick up other sleep problems, such as narcolepsy and disorders that cause nighttime restlessness.
Get More From Decoding Health Insurance
Did you enjoy reading about all the different at home testing kits you can buy online or at the pharmacy? Then be sure you read At Home Testing Kits, part I. We provided all the details about home testing kits and how they work. We get that providing a specimen and mailing it to a lab is not something everyone wants to do. Some folks prefer getting medical attention the old fashioned way: by going to the doctor. We support that! Just be sure you know how to navigate the healthcare system so that you get full use of your benefits. Check out Decoding Health Insurance and the Alternatives: Options, Issues, and Tips for Saving Money. You’ll get information about what types of office visits health insurance policies tend to cover and what tests and services they leave on the table.
Also, check out our Partners Page to see health-related products and services available to readers. Finally, we can help you learn more about the health insurance landscape. Just sign up for our newsletter.