Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resultant strain on healthcare service, many patients remain uncertain of whether they will be able to receive the diagnosis they require in a timely and safe manner. This uncertainty is adding further anxiety for patients at an already stressful time and has prompted a transformation in the way patients receive healthcare services.
Many providers are now looking towards remote appointments and service delivery where feasible to ensure they can continue to deliver for patients in the safest way possible. As part of this transition more providers than ever are offering home blood testing solutions, and this looks set to be a continuing trend for years to come. These recent developments have led many service users to question whether this form of diagnosis is right for them and whether such technologies can be as effective as traditional methods.
How Does Home Blood Testing Work?
Home blood tests work by taking a ‘small volume blood sample’ from tiny blood vessels in the extremities (often the fingertips). This method, often called a ‘capillary blood draw’, provides a sample containing vital biomarkers that can indicate wider health and wellbeing based on identifiers such as oxygen, nutrient, or white blood cell levels – amongst many other things.
This sample must then be sent off via post to a specialist professional in a lab who will analyse it for the chosen marker(s). The exact method by which this is done will vary depending on the marker being examined but once this analysis is concluded, you will then receive the results of your test will be returned to you via your chosen provider. The results typically take between 48 hours to 2 weeks to be returned, depending on what is being tested for and the capacity of the provider.
Benefits of Home Blood Testing
One of the key benefits of small volume blood testing is that it can diagnose many of the same conditions that traditional, face-to-face, venous blood testing can examine, meaning you can receive comparable diagnoses from your own home. This is especially useful during a pandemic but also has advantages for those with limited mobility or other conditions that may make an on-site visit difficult.
From just a few drops of blood, home tests can for:
- Cardiovascular health
- Immune system health
- Nutrient Deficiencies
- Autoimmune diseases
- Food and environmental allergies
- Hormone Levels
- Infectious diseases
- General health and wellness biomarkers
At home testing kits also typically require much less blood and are less painful when taking a sample than venous blood testing which could prove beneficial for patients with a phobia of needles.
Things to Consider with Home Blood Testing
Whilst home blood tests can be incredibly useful and effective, there are some things you should bear in mind whilst administering the test. For instance, some tests may require you to fast for up to 8-12 hours before taking your test. This could mean that the most optimal time to take the test is first thing in the morning after having fasted throughout the night. However, some users occasionally find it difficult to draw blood with the lancets included in some home blood testing kits and so it is essential that you are properly hydrated when attempting to take the sample. #
Summary
Overall, home blood testing is revolutionising the way patients access diagnoses and can provide a convenient, reliable, and affordable alternative to other methods of blood testing. This technology is providing patients with more choice and greater empowerment over the way they access treatments.
If you are interested in finding out more about home blood testing and how it could benefit you, please speak to a Camford Medicals representative today on 0207 631 4558.