Home medical tests let you check for and monitor health conditions at home. Self-testing kits:
Self-testing kits can be grouped into two categories:
Diagnose
when conditions are or are not present. These include kits that test for blood
Monitor
an ongoing condition. These include kits that test for blood sugar levels and
The U.S. Public Health Service and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) give tips for safe and proper use of self-testing kits. (Each of these does not necessarily apply to all tests.)
Don't
buy or use a test kit after the expiration date.
Follow
storage directions on the label.
Study
the package insert. First, read it through to get a general idea of how to perform the
test. Then, go back and review the instructions and diagrams until you fully understand
each step.
Know
what the test is meant to do and what its limitations may be. Tests are not always 100%
accurate.
Note
special precautions, such as not eating certain foods before testing.
If
the test results rely on color comparison and you're colorblind, ask someone who is not
colorblind to help you interpret the results.
Follow
instructions exactly. Don't skip a step.
When
you collect a urine specimen (unless you use a container from a kit), wash the container
well and rinse out all soap traces. Use distilled water, if you can.
When
a step is timed, be precise. Use a watch with
a second hand.
Note
what you should do if the results are positive, negative, or unclear.
If
something is not clear, don't guess. Call the "800" number on the package or
call a pharmacist for information.
Keep
accurate records of results.
As
with medications, keep test kits that contain chemicals out of the reach of children.
Throw away used test materials as directed.
Report any malfunction of a self-test to the manufacturer or to the: U.S. Pharmacopeia Practitioner's Reporting Network, 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852 1-800-638-6725
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 2000 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/27/01