Diabetics are used to testing themselves. Measuring, treating and monitoring yourself is a regular practice for many people with diabetes. In addition, with diabetes, doctors also trust the self-measurement and provide advice on this basis. Testing yourself is gaining ground. More and more conditions and diseases can be detected yourself. And because of Corona, this development is gaining momentum. The 1,5 meter measures force us to measure ourselves.
Self-testing was always associated with moderate to poor quality. Doctors doubt – sometimes rightly but often not – about the quality of self-measurements. A test that someone carries out at home, and therefore without the supervision of a professional, is often the subject of discussion. But this is about to change. Due to Covid-19, the whole world is suddenly introduced to diagnostics. Terms such as reliability, sensitivity, PCR and antibodies are thrown around. Fortunately, a little education can't hurt. As a result, people become familiar with new techniques and it turns out that many things can simply be detected yourself. Let's take a look at what self-tests are on the market.
Blood pressure and saturation
Blood pressure and the amount of oxygen in the blood can easily be measured with blood pressure and saturation meters. High blood pressure is very common. The oxygen level in the blood is important for athletes and, for example, lung patients. Especially since Corona, a lung virus after all, saturation is measured a lot. The equipment is frequently used by doctors and physiotherapists. But can also be used at home. The products are no longer very innovative. They're actually just naturalized. This is also reflected in the prices. These are relatively low.
The newest Apple Wait Series 6 also measures saturation. The 'watch' can also make an ECG. This ECG can show certain irregularities. Unfortunately, prices are still very high. But a saturation meter on the wrist can help some people enormously.
Cholesterol
High cholesterol is also common. High cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease. The high cholesterol content can be easily demonstrated. Just from home. With a cholesterol meter, which is sometimes combined with a glucose measurement. The cholesterol level can be demonstrated with a drop of blood. Make sure that the meter shows the LDL and HDL levels. The total cholesterol content must be demonstrated!
Cholesterol can also be tested with a laboratory analysis (remotely). You then take blood at home and send this blood. You can request your results a day later. The Labonovum company works in such a way.
STDs
In the above example, self-testing mainly provides speed and convenience. But taboo can also play a role in measuring yourself. What about sexually transmitted diseases? Many are ashamed to have to go to a doctor about this. Fortunately, STDs themselves can also be tested. Please note that testing must be done via a lab. Testing yourself for STDs actually means: taking your own urine, sending it to a lab and later requesting the results yourself. Slightly more complicated than reading the result directly from a display, but very reliable. A laboratory is still considered the most reliable. An STD like chlamydia can be easily detected in this way. And this STD can now also be treated online. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be detected without blood. Something that makes purchasing easy again.
Anyone can test for STDs themselves via testalize.me. And also be treated if they test positive.
DNA
What can you learn from your DNA? Currently, DNA tests are mainly used 'recreational'. For example, people want to know where their ancestors came from. The MyHeritage company works in such a way. Nice in itself, although it does not promote health of course. But DNA will be used increasingly in the future to identify hereditary abnormalities more quickly. And then we will make progress. But these are currently still expensive techniques. Rare DNA errors are not easily detected.
Drug sensitivity can also be demonstrated with DNA testing. A so-called pharmacogenetic passport indicates whether you have an increased or decreased sensitivity to certain medications.
As more consumers come into contact with innovations to test themselves, the number of players will increase and the market will grow. This is of course good for acceptance and reliability. And so the SOA test will follow the glucose meter.