Thanks to advancements in medicine and technology, tests that can be used to diagnose certain medical conditions or inform you of other aspects of your health can now be done in the privacy of your home. These home tests typically involve taking a sample of blood or saliva yourself and sending it in to a laboratory to be analyzed. You’ll then receive your results by phone call or email in most cases. Here are six health tests you can order online to do in your home.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that affects the body’s ability to absorb sugar and the body’s insulin levels, and symptoms sometimes don’t show until the disease is more advanced. A diabetes panel test can let you know if you have this condition and whether you have type I or type II diabetes. Diabetes tests that can be ordered online can be beneficial for pregnant women who may have developed gestational diabetes or may help people already diagnosed with diabetes to manage their condition.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a serious condition that can cause damage to the liver. As Everyday Health explains, symptoms are not always apparent and may not show up for several weeks, months, or even years after it is contracted, while still doing damage to your liver without you realizing it. Home tests can be used to diagnose Hepatitis A, B and/or C and will help you know when to seek the proper treatment.
Cholesterol Screening
Both HDL and LDL cholesterol levels can be checked with certain online lab tests. A test can determine whether you have too much LDL (bad) cholesterol or not enough HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood so that you’ll know if you’re at greater risk for having a stroke or heart attack. The results of your test can also be used to help you make changes to your diet and exercise habits that will help you improve your health and achieve the right balance of HDL and LDL cholesterol.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Many sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, can be diagnosed with a home test that involves taking a blood, saliva, or urine sample. STDs that a home test can detect include HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. There are even tests available that can diagnose Herpes simplex I and II. Some STDs can be asymptomatic for prolonged periods, so getting tested will make it possible for you to get treatment faster and help you avoid passing any STDs on to other people.
Hormone Levels
Both men and women can benefit from hormone tests as these tests can let you know if you have any hormone imbalances in your body that may be affecting your health or causing you to experience unusual symptoms. Additionally, tests can check estrogen and testosterone levels as well as thyroid hormone levels to determine if your thyroid is overactive or underactive.
Infectious Diseases
A wide range of infectious diseases can be diagnosed through online home testing as well. Mononucleosis, tuberculosis, and rubella tests are just some of the available options, as well as testing to diagnose Lyme disease. It’s even possible now to order FDA-authorized home tests that can detect antibodies to COVID-19 in your blood to let you know if you’ve had the infection.
Ordering a test online is easy to do and may be one of the best things that you’ll ever do for your health. Knowing the results of your test will help you take the appropriate measures so that you can improve your quality of life.
