Do you know that, you can do 60-second health tests at home? Read on to learn more about 10 health tests you can do at home.
At-home health tests may seem like a bit of a doctor’s job, but they really shouldn’t be. Before the pandemic, many Americans and many other Africans, Asians, and Europeans were buying at-home tests to assess a wide range of health issues, such as pregnancy tests, hormone levels, sleep apnea, and more.
There are many health tests you can do at home that are easy and don’t require a visit to your doctor’s office. In many cases, you’ll only have to wait a few minutes for results.
In some cases, you’ll receive a prepaid label that allows you to mail your results to a lab. The results typically come back within a week.
Home tests can be used in addition to tests your doctor orders, but they don’t replace them. Talk with your doctor about using a home test.
Home tests can provide more detail to your particular situation, as well as help your doctor decide if you need additional tests.
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Here are some of the 10 health tests you can do at home:
1. Liver Home Test
Take a look in the mirror where you can see your whole body. Do you notice a layer of fat around your waist? It’s visceral fat that encases your liver and prevents it from working properly.
If you see yellow eyes in your eyes, fat (especially on your eyelids), and a covered tongue also means something is wrong with your liver.
Keep in mind that these tests can’t diagnose a disease. They’re just some of the ways you can look after yourself.
2. COVID-19 Home Test
You may have heard of “rapid” COVID tests. These tests detect the presence of the antigens produced by the immune system in response to the COVID-19 virus.
PCR tests at your doctor’s office look for the genetic material of the virus. At home, COVID tests look for the current infection. They do not detect if you have had COVID in the past.
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To take an at-home COVID test, you will need to take a cotton swab from each nostril. The test has a device that takes the swab and analyzes it.
The results will be ready in 60 seconds to 30 minutes depending on the brand you use.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and think you may have the disease, you may want to take an at-home test.
An at-home test can also be used to screen for the presence of a disease, even if you do not have symptoms.
You can take a test before going for a visitation, or before going to a crowded indoor event.
3. A1C Blood Sugar Home Test
Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) is a blood sugar test that measures your average blood glucose levels over the last three months.
If your A1C is high, you may have prediabetes (a type of diabetes). Most people with prediabetes don’t know they have it, but detecting it early can help protect you from the full-blown effects of diabetes.
In fact, according to NCBI, many people with diabetes live with it for years before they are diagnosed.
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Diabetes can have serious consequences for your health if left untreated, including damage to your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. In addition to prediabetes, there are other risk factors that can increase your risk:
- If you have diabetes in your family
- If you are overweight
- If you have diabetes symptoms such as excessive thirst and frequent urination
What you will need for the test
- Soap and water
- Your mobile phone to record results or notebook
What’s Included:
- A1C Analyzer
- Test cartridge
- Lancet
- Blood collector
- Shaker tube
- Manufacturer’s Test Instructions
Instructions to follow
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- Put all your testing stuff away
- Wash your hands in soap and water, then dry them off with a cloth or alcohol prep pad to let the alcohol evaporate
- Open the test kit and press the pad to the side of your finger, squeezing out a small amount of blood
- Hold the blood collector close to the blood and let it fill the tip of the finger (see the manufacturer’s instructions for what’s okay)
- Put the blood collector in the body of a shaker and shake it around 6 to 8 times (about 5 seconds)
- Open the test cartridge and put it in the Analyzer A1C
- Push the shaker into the Analyzer where you want the solution to be dispensed, then take it out
- Wait for 5 minutes and don’t touch the device
- Log your result and date
- Throw away the test cartridge and save the Analyzer device for next time.
Some A1C kits can give you results in as little as five minutes. However, if you’re using a kit where you need to send your sample to the lab, you’ll need to follow the shipping instructions on the kit itself. You’ll likely get your results by mail or over the Internet within three to ten days.
In the future, you might want to do A1C testing at the time you’re scheduled to do a glucose meter test. A1C testing requires a small amount of blood, about the same amount as a glucose meter.
4. Hearing System Home Test
Try to hear what people are saying from a distance of 16 to 19 feet. If you don’t hear anything, it’s probably time for a doctor’s appointment.
It’s important to note that this method doesn’t work in crowded places. For instance, if you’re in a cafe with loud music playing, you won’t be able to hear a person talking next to you.
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This is because of the noise-masking effect. When loud noise is present, a weak sound is muffled.
Aside from this test, you can also use a variety of other apps to test your hearing.
5. Eyesight Home Test
For 30 seconds, look at the window frame. Then close your eyes.
Open your left eye and close it.
Open your right eye and open it.
If the image you see becomes blurry and the lines are out of line, it means you have macular degeneration or severe and irreversible loss of vision.
You can also do another test in a parking lot. If you are 100 meters away from any car, try reading the license plate of that car.
If you can’t do this, it’s time to see a doctor.
6. Bones Home Test
Your nails are one of the most important parts of your body. If you notice that your nails are rippling, white, or split, it’s not just a surface issue.
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It could be a sign that your body isn’t getting enough Vitamin B, Iron, or Osteoporosis.
7. DNA/Genetic Home Test
At-home genetic testing is not the same as clinical genetic testing, which is ordered by a doctor for a particular medical purpose, such as to guide cancer treatment.
At-home tests can help you learn about your family history, your risk of developing certain conditions, or how you respond to medications.
However, they cannot tell you if you will get a specific disease that is inherited from your family.
According to a technology review, more than 26 million people had purchased an at-home DNA/genetic test, and most said they had purchased a test after seeing an advertisement or hearing about it from a friend or family member.
A study published in the journal Genetics in Medicine found that 40% of at-home genetic tests gave inaccurate results.
Identifying genetic predisposition using at-home testing is an exciting development in health care, but it is important to always discuss test results with your doctor and genetic counselor, as these results do not necessarily indicate that you will develop the disease indicated by the test.
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A medical professional can help alleviate any concerns and provide targeted interventions for any results that a genetic test may provide.
8. Brain Home Test
You’ll need a piece of blank paper, a pen or pencil, and a friend. You’ll draw a clock on the paper and ask your friend to tell you what time it is.
For example, it’s 10:10 in the morning. Then you’ll draw the minute hand and hour hand to show you how long it is.
Early dementia involves many different processes in the brain. Parts of the brain that control arm movements, spatial perception, and visual perception start to work more intensively.
So, if you can’t draw a clock or the clock hands, it could be a sign of early dementia.
9. Cancer Home Test
This is not something you can buy at the pharmacy. According to a recent survey, 67 percent of people who purchased at-home screening tests for cancer (including colon and prostate cancer) did so at the suggestion of their primary care physician.
Some people may feel the risk is too great to take action on their own, but that’s why DIY cancer screenings are so important.
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Early detection has led to earlier interventions and increased the likelihood of better long-term results.
However, false negatives, either due to test inaccuracies or utilization, can lead to a “false sense of security” in the presence of severe disease. False positives can also cause unnecessary stress and anxiety.
For both of these reasons, it’s especially important to talk with your doctor about how to use and interpret an at-home cancer test.
10. Respiratory System Home Test
This test is known as the Shtange test and requires a stopwatch.
Stand up and regulate your heart rhythm for 30 seconds.
Sit down and take three deep breaths without exhaling. Hold your breath as long as you can and keep counting.
Exhale and check your pulse again for 30 seconds.
If your respiration rate is below 40 seconds, your respiratory system isn’t working as efficiently.
The average respiration rate should be between 40 and 49 seconds. Hold your breath longer than 50 seconds and you’re good to go.
You can use this formula to calculate your heart rate:
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Your result should be the difference between your heart rate 30 seconds after taking the test and 30 seconds before taking the test.
If your result is 1, 2, or less, this is considered a good result. If your result is higher than “points” it means your cardiovascular system requires more oxygen.
FAQs Related To Health Tests You Can Do at Home
How do you check if you are healthy or not?
- You know what to eat
- You have regular bowel movements
- You move your body regularly
- Your urine is clean
- You sleep well
- You don’t feel sick all the time
- You feel emotionally strong and resilient
How can I check my full body at home?
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- Take your temperature
- Testicular checks. Be aware of your breasts
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Blood and swab test
- Blood sugar
- Meningitis test
How do I know my health is OK?
Nails, skin, eyes, and hair are great indicators of your health. They can be a sign of vitamin and mineral deficiency and can sometimes indicate poor organ health.
What are the signs of poor health?
- Neck stiffness or pain
- Confusion or extreme agitation
- Sleepiness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light)
- Unsteadiness that keeps you from standing or walking
- Ataxia (stiffness or dizziness)
- New double vision
- Blurred vision or blind spots
Which test is for the full body?
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Liver function test, lipid profile test, kidney function test, complete hemogram test, thyroid profile test, urine routine test, blood glucose test, etc.
Which body test is best?
- Complete Full Body Checkup Tests List
- Blood Sugar Test
- Body Mass Index
- Waist Circumference
- Cholesterol Test
What diseases can a blood test detect?
Heart and circulatory disorders and diabetes or how you manage your condition. Liver and kidney function tests for various chemicals and proteins.
How can I test my heart at home?
Place your index finger and middle finger on the inside wrist of your other hand, just below the thumb. Feel a tap or pulse on your fingers.
Count how many taps you get in 10 seconds. Divide this number by 6 to get your heart rate in 1 minute.
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What is the test for kidney function?
A urine albumin test (UACR) is a test used to measure the amount of albumin that passes into the urine over a 24-hour period. A UACR of 30 or higher indicates kidney disease.
The results of a UACR test may need to be retested once or twice to be confirmed.
What is the full liver test?
A liver function test is a blood test that measures the amount of different substances your liver produces. These substances include proteins, enzymes, and even bilirubin.
A Word From GetMe Treated
These are the 60-second health tests – 10 health tests you can do at home. Please note that these tests are not intended to diagnose a specific illness. These are only some of the ways in which you can improve your health.