Products
Self-tests are available in, for example, pharmacies and drugstores, online stores, or at the wholesaler without a doctor’s prescription. In addition to the well-known pregnancy test (pictured), numerous others are available today (see below). It is important to use high-quality medical products.
How it works
Rapid tests usually require body fluids such as blood from the fingertip, saliva, or urine. The colon cancer test is done with stool. Substances, hormones, proteins, antibodies, and antigens are predominantly detected. Immunological tests (immunoassays) are based on antibody-antigen binding. Strip tests are usually based on a chemical reaction. They are often indirect detection.
Areas of application
Self-tests are available for the following application areas. This list shows an incomplete selection. The compounds that are detected are listed in parentheses:
- Alcohol consumption (alcohol)
- Allergies, hay fever (antibodies)
- Cystitis, urinary tract infections (leukocytes, nitrite, proteins).
- Blood lipid levels (eg, cholesterol, triglycerides).
- Chlamydia
- Diabetes (glucose)
- Colon cancer (hemoglobin)
- Iron deficiency (ferritin)
- Inflammation, bacterial infections (C-reactive protein, CRP).
- Helicobacter pylori (antibodies)
- HIV (antibodies), see under HIV self-tests.
- Ketoacidosis (ketone bodies)
- Menopause (follicle stimulating hormone, FSH).
- Renal function (albumin)
- Ovulation test (luteinizing hormone, LH).
- Prostate enlargement (PSA)
- Intoxicant detection (substances)
- Pregnancy test (human chorionic gonadotropin, HCG).
- Acid-base balance (pH)
- Thyroid function (thyrotropin, TSH)
- Tetanus (antibodies)
- Vaginal infections (pH).
- Procreative capacity (sperm)
- Celiac disease (gluten)
Implementation
Before use, the package insert should be studied carefully. Self-tests can be performed by patients or with the assistance of a healthcare professional. Pharmacists are familiar with the procedure, can assess the usefulness of the tests, and can help evaluate the result. The result is usually available immediately or after a few minutes (e.g., 5 to 10 minutes) and is often indicated with a color change. Patients should contact a health care professional if the result is positive or if they are uncertain. A self-test is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis.
Benefits
Self-tests allow patients to perform simple diagnostic tests themselves. They are available without a doctor’s consultation, are readily available, and are usually relatively simple and quick to perform. Self-tests take less time than a visit to a physician, are discreet, and they may result in increased testing rates (e.g., HIV self-testing). This may lead to earlier detection of disease, prevention of transmission, and better outcomes.
Critique
Self-tests cannot replace a professional medical consultation and in-depth counseling. The actual cause of the symptoms, for example, an iron deficiency, is not elucidated with the test. In addition, no patient history is collected and a physical examination does not take place. The patient’s symptoms may have different causes than those being tested. Rarely, false positive or false negative results may occur. Interfering factors such as drugs can falsify the result. Some tests are also comparatively complicated and require a certain amount of manual dexterity. A positive result can be very unsettling for patients (e.g. HIV, prostate cancer). It is therefore essential that they consult a specialist. The validity and usefulness of some tests are controversial (e.g., PSA, menopause).
