Understanding Lab Test Results

Home Test Kits

You can do some types of tests at home, such as testing for blood sugar, pregnancy, urinary tract infections, and HIV infection. Some home tests give you results right away, such as a pregnancy test. Others, such as HIV test kits, provide a way for you to send a sample to a lab for testing. The lab then reports results back to you.

The quality and reliability of home tests varies greatly. Ask your health professional or pharmacist to recommend a reliable brand. Follow the instructions, and check with your health professional if you are concerned about the results. Your health professional will usually do further testing to confirm your results.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Carrie Henley	Last Updated: August 6, 2007
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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