Can Lab Testing Be Done at Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Although at-home health tests can be easier and more dependable, some health tests are better given, and their results are explained by a professional health care expert. Here are some of the major risks of at-home testing:

• As a person with less medical knowledge, you could misinterpret your medical test results, which can lead you to try the wrong therapies or medications or delay diagnosis and treatment. Some test results can be a bit difficult to interpret.

For example, the meaning of a false positive and false negative, as well as a true positive and true negative, can be confusing, the patient said.

• You might fail to choose the proper medical test, which might lead to unnecessary spending and anxiety.
• You might improperly store or mishandle your test samples, leading to inaccurate test results.
• Often, not all medical insurance covers home lab testing costs.
• You might end up making expensive changes based on the results of your home lab test.

For example, even though these medical tests may not always provide conclusive results, you might wind up drastically altering your diet as a result.

• You will need to follow up with your health care provider if you get positive test results. As this might result in another round of testing for confirmation, which can be a bit stressful and expensive. But it is necessary to include your doctor so you can create a suitable health plan for moving forward together. Additionally, you should avoid making certain changes to your medications without consulting your doctor.
• You might substitute these at-home tests for routine medical examinations to miss a condition your doctor might spot during a visit.