What can you test at home?
Lauren Dobischok
Epidemiologist
Lauren is a health scientist and science communicator currently living in the Netherlands. Originally from Canada, she completed a Research Master’s in Health Sciences at the Netherlands Institute of Health Sciences at Erasmus University Rotterdam (NIHES) with a specialisation in epidemiology. Prior to her master’s degree, she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. With a background in public health, her goal is to create accurate scientific content that is easy to understand and empowers people to make informed decisions. Within Homed-IQ, Lauren works as a Product Developer and Content Lead, working closely with physicians and scientists on medical devices for Homed-IQ’s new products and written communications.
Our medical editorial process
All content at Homed-IQ undergoes a strict editorial process. Articles are written by specialist medical writers and subsequently reviewed by an independent doctor or medical specialist. This ensures that our information is evidence-based, up to date and reliable.
- Written by medically trained writers
- Reviewed by an independent doctor
- Based on peer-reviewed sources
- Regularly updated for accuracy
Table of contents
Home tests allow you to monitor a wide range of health markers, including blood glucose, cholesterol, hormones and nutrient levels, using samples such as fingerprick blood, swabs, urine or faeces. Before such tests are approved for home use, they must undergo laboratory validation studies to ensure their accuracy. These studies compare results from fingerprick or other self-collected samples with those obtained in a clinical setting, such as venous blood samples taken by healthcare professionals. Validation ensures that home tests meet clinical standards and provide reliable and comparable results for users, while maintaining the convenience of an at-home test.
Home tests can measure different markers depending on the test kit. Homed-IQ offers the following markers in its kits:
General Health Markers
- Cholesterol (Total, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides)
- HbA1c
- Vitamin D
- Liver enzymes (ALT, GGT, ALP, Bilirubin)
- Kidney function (Albumin-Creatinine Ratio, Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR), Creatinine)
- Thyroid hormones (TSH, Free T3, Free T4)
- Gut and Bowel Health (Occult blood (Bowel Cancer Screening), Calprotectin (Gut Inflammation), Gut microbiome composition and diversity)
- Prostate Health (Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA))
Hormones
- Testosterone
- Estradiol (Estrogen)
- Cortisol
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- Prolactin
- Progesterone
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)
Nutritional Levels
- Iron (Ferritin, Total Iron Binding Capacity)
- Vitamin B12
- Folate (Vitamin B9)
- Magnesium
Infections – Sexually Transmitted Infections
- HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Herpes Simplex Virus I & II, HPV
Allergies
- Immunoglobulin E (IgE) reactivity to inhalation and food allergens
Home testing offers a convenient way to monitor a range of health markers, from general health and hormones to nutritional levels and infections. The markers listed above are currently available from Homed-IQ for home measurement. While many markers can be accurately measured at home, some require specialised equipment, larger samples or stability during transport, specific laboratory techniques and validation standards and need to be performed in a clinical setting to ensure reliability and feasibility.
Frequently asked questions
How reliable are the tests?
Our tests are analysed in an ISO 15189 accredited laboratory with the same equipment and protocols used by hospitals and GPs. The accuracy is comparable to a venous blood draw.
How quickly will I receive my results?
After receipt of your sample at the lab, you will receive your results within 1-2 working days in your personal, secure portal.
Are the tests really anonymous?
Yes, 100%. The packaging is plain, containing no indication of the contents. Your test is registered with an anonymous code. Only you have access to the results.
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