At-home testing has increased in popularity over the last few years, providing a convenient and affordable way to monitor health changes without the hassle of a doctor’s appointment. But as these tests have become more widespread, many questions have emerged about their safety and accuracy. We have collected a few of the most common misconceptions about at-home diagnostic testing in the hopes of putting them to bed once and for all.
Myth 1: Only people with symptoms need to test
A common myth surrounding at-home diagnostic testing is that it is not necessary because only people with symptoms need to test. For the most common STDs, people can carry and spread infections while being asymptomatic. Testing is an essential strategy for identifying and treating people who may not be aware that they are carrying an infection.
Myth 2: At-home tests are not federally regulated
A commonly repeated misconception is that the FDA does not regulate at-home medical tests. This myth can be traced back to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when the FDA gave at-home covid tests emergency use authorization before receiving full FDA approval. The FDA requires that all at-home tests meet Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, or CLIA, standards. CLIA certification ensures that at-home tests have been validated and verified for accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.
Myth 3: At-home tests are less reliable
Another misconception surrounding at-home testing is that it can provide inaccurate results. However, extensive research has proven that it’s possible to get accurate results at home. Thanks to major advancements in diagnostic testing technology, at-home testing is now widely accepted to be just as accurate as in-clinic testing. While it’s true that there may be slight variations in accuracy based on the type of test, the results obtained with at-home tests are generally within an acceptable range.
For people who are still reluctant to try at-home testing out of fear that it may be too complicated, Simple HealthKit tests are designed with simplicity in mind. Every test comes with step-by-step instructions and all necessary testing materials because testing should be easy.