Does do-it-yourself tests really effective and efficient

They are economical and indeed very useful, but do the over-the-counter, do-it-yourself tests employed by millions of people really efficient and effective?

Ovulation-prediction tests

It only takes just three minutes for a urine-soaked test strip to find out whether the required level of luteinizing of hormone is present. If colored bars emerge this will indicate that ovulation will materialize within 24 to 40 hours.

Expert opinion: The home kits have a hefty 90% accuracy rate, your doctor will most likely order a blood test or ask you to have a body temperature chart to check for ovulation.

Home-pregnancy tests

This is a test stick inserted on a sample of urine that senses the existence of pregnancy hormones. If you happen to be pregnant a second line will become visible alongside the control line in the reaction screen.

Expert opinion – Some tests can be employed from the day after a missed menstruation and results will be known in less than five minutes. Home pregnancy test is reliable, quick, easy and effective.

Blood pressure monitors

This test can provide a sort of high-tech result with just one click at the button. Pretty quick eh!

Expert opinion – Stress, physical exertion or mishandling may affect the outcome and it is a must to have necessary training to interpret the readings with precision. High blood pressure may imply heart disease, so it is better to have a doctor to conduct the testing.

Cholesterol-testing machines

A droplet of blood from your finger is place on a test pad. Then the machine evaluates the blood plasma to provide a total cholesterol reading, so it is better to have a doctor to conduct the test. Keep in mind that the recommended reading level is 5.5mmol/liter.

Expert opinion – Home-testing kits do not varies between LLD (the so-called bad cholesterol) and the HDL (good cholesterol). You can have a reading of 59 mmol/liter but it could either be good cholesterol or bad cholesterol.

Blood-glucose testing machines

This is a very essential tool for people with diabetes. Blood-glucose test machines analyze a droplet of blood from the finger.

Expert opinion – It is advisable for diabetics to have this very efficient tool since blood sugar levels changes from time to time. This will allow the patient to make some adjustments on his lifestyle to keep the desirable level.

Here you have it folks. Thanks a lot for the time…

An entry to the HubChallenge October 2011