FDA recommendations aim to safeguard patients using home medical tests.
The Chicago Tribune (3/21, Asa) reported that "home medical test sales increased from $736 million in 1989 to $4.5 billion in 2008," with "pregnancy and diabetes tests" making "up about 80 percent of the...market," while the remaining percentage was comprised of newer tests for "cortisol (depression assessment), prostate screening, sexually transmitted infections...hormones," cholesterol levels "and fecal occult blood, which checks for some intestinal conditions and colorectal cancer." But, while "this home-test trend...encourages consumers to take ownership of their health," experts say "the downside is that consumers may act" on "results without involving their physicians." Accordingly, the FDA "recommends knowing exactly what the test is for, how to store it properly before use, how to store and collect the sample, when and how to conduct the test, how to interpret the results, and involving the manufacturer when there are concerns and questions."
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