How Easy Is It To Collect Your Samples At Home
When you receive your kit its time to put on your scrubs and rubber gloves and get down to business!
Alright, its not quite that serious but most people find this part very interesting. You get to play nurse and obtain your lab samples by using easy to follow step-by-step instructions.
Depending on the type of tests you ordered, you might be doing a urine sample, getting a blood sample with a small finger prick, or doing a quick swish with a cotton swab of your mouth or other body parts.
You will package and label your samples per the instructions and mail them back the same day with a pre-paid envelope. Then, all you have left to do is wait.
What Do I Do If I Have Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C infection is treated with antiviral medications that can clear the virus from the body. The medications are usually taken over several weeks to months. The goal of the treatment is to not detect hepatitis C in the body after 12 weeks after the completion of treatment.
If a person has developed serious complications from hepatitis C, a liver transplant might be an option. During this procedure, the surgeon will remove parts of the damaged liver and replace it with a healthy one. A liver transplant alone will not cure hepatitis C and antiviral medications might be required post-transplant.
Living with hepatitis C is never easy and you are not alone. There are myriad ways to cope with help emotionally and physically. For example, there are support groups where you can find community and share your experiences with others.
Factors That May Impact Local Applicability
This review is broad is scope, and examines HIV and STI tests that can be ordered online, either as self-collection kits, self-test kits, or in a laboratory. However, the self-collection or self-tests kits discussed in this review may vary depending on the manufacturer used. This may impact rates of uptake and positivity. Access to online testing varied in numerous aspects: some studies discussed trials where kits and services were not open to the general public, while other studies examined kits that were available at no cost to the general public. This review does not include HIV/STI testing services as part of PrEP prescribing and initiation, or other HIV/STI testing services requiring direct interaction with prescribing health care providers.
Don’t Miss: What Is Hepatitis C Virus
When To Test For Std
Many STDs can cause serious health complications, and it’s possible to have an STD without experiencing any warning signs or symptoms. As a result, testing is the only way to know for sure whether or not you have an STD that may require treatment and potentially be spread to a partner. Generally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual testing for sexually active men and women, particularly for those who have multiple partners or new partners.
Thyroid And Thyroid Antibody Test
The thyroid is an endocrine gland in your neck with several functions, most notably regulating your metabolic rate. Thyroid disorders result in either excessively high or insufficient thyroid hormone production. This causes two different conditions: hypothyroidism, with symptoms including weight gain, hair loss, constipation, sensitivity to cold, and fatigue and hyperthyroidism, with symptoms including weight loss, fast heart rate, sweating, diarrhea, and anxiety.
The LetsGetChecked Thyroid Test evaluates thyroid function by analyzing three biomarkers: thyroid stimulating hormone , free triiodothyronine , and free thyroxine . The more comprehensive Thyroid Antibody Test adds thyroglobulin antibodies , and thyroid peroxidase antibodies to its analysis.
The main difference between the two kits is that the TGAB and TPEX antibody testing in the Thyroid Antibody Test can tell you whether your thyroid dysfunction is likely related to an autoimmune disorder. The basic Thyroid Test kit can tell you that there may be an issue with your thyroid but cannot tell you the cause. The test requires a small blood sample.
You May Like: What Is Positive Hepatitis B Surface Antibody
Types Of Hepatitis C Testing At Home Kits
Its certainly possible to order a hepatitis C test alone. This may be preferred if you have had a known exposure to this virus, and you only want to test for this one virus.
However, if you have risk factors, then you may want to consider testing for other types of diseases as well. If you use injection drugs or engage in blood play, then testing for HIV as well as HCV is probably a good idea. You may want to test for hepatitis B virus too. If you have sex outside of a mutually monogamous relationship , then you may want to test for other STDs as well, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and trichomoniasis.
Here are the four testing services that we usually recommend:
What Does The Test Measure
At-home hepatitis B tests measure hepatitis B surface antigens . Hepatitis B surface antigens are proteins on the outside of the hepatitis B virus that trigger an immune system response to fight the infection.
Hepatitis B surface antigens can be detected as early as 2 or as late as 12 weeks after a person was exposed to HBV. In patients who recover from hepatitis B, HBsAg usually becomes undetectable within 4 to 6 months.
You May Like: What Types Of Hepatitis Are There
Getting Treatment For Hepatitis B
If you’re in the early stages of the hepatitis B infection, you should be assessed by a doctor. You might need medication to help with the symptoms.
People with chronic hepatitis B , will need to see a specialist in liver disease. They may need medication to prevent liver damage and have regular tests. There are now very effective medications that can suppress the virus over many years.
What Should You Do Once You Receive Your Results
At-home HCV testing is only the first step. If the test is positive for HCV antibodies, your next step is to seek medical care. Youll need to be retested with a laboratory-based screening test to confirm the result further molecular tests will determine if you have an active infection.
Testing positive for antibodies can mean you were exposed to HCV 20 years ago and it spontaneously resolved or that you have chronic hepatitis C, Yao explains. While more than half of people who are infected with HCV will develop a chronic infection, many will spontaneously clear the virus from their body and wont develop chronic hepatitis C, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If further testing shows that you have the hepatitis C infection, an internist, liver specialist, or infectious disease specialist will be able to decide whether you need treatment or observation.
And if the result is negative? Your doctors may want to wait a little longer to confirm those findings.
The antibodies take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to show up in the blood, so if youve just had a risk event, like intravenous drug use, and you test a week later, you could receive a false negative, he says. Yao says your real status depends on whether you have any ongoing or recent risk factors. If you participate in high-risk activities, Yao recommends being screened every month or two.
Recommended Reading: Hepatitis C How Is It Transmitted
Can My Partner Tell If I Have Hepatitis
They will be able to tell if you have symptoms of infection but not if you dont. However, it is important that you tell your partner since you have passed the infection to them.
Your partner will need to be tested and may need treatment. Your partner could develop serious symptoms if untreated, or could pass the infection onto someone else.
Letsgetchecked Digital Recommender Tool
According to the LetsGetChecked website,Health testing needs vary from person to person. By learning a little more about you, we can offer test suggestions.This assessment is not a diagnosis, it is for informational purposes and is not a qualified medical opinion. If you have symptoms or any concerns please consult with your healthcare provider.
Don’t Miss: Can You Get Cured From Hepatitis C
Home Tests And Monitoring Products At Walgreens
At-home testing and monitoring can help you reach your health care goals whether you’re striving to lose weight, trying to manage a chronic condition or wanting to grow your family. Walgreens makes it easy to purchase the tests and monitors that are right for your needs with a selection of products that you can purchase quickly in stores or discreetly online.
How To Get Started With Letsgetchecked
Avoid spending time at the doctors office and get accurate, confidential results at home.
The sign-up process couldnt be easier. You start by setting up a free account at LetsGetChecked where you will fill out general health history information that doctors will use to make sure you are ordering the right tests, this way they will make suggestions based on your answers.
After this, you can select the tests you want and order your test kit which will arrive in a discreet package in just a few days.
Once you order a kit, you can track its location online for the entire journey. After the kit arrives, youll just need to log into your account and activate the kit using a special code provided to you. This provides an extra layer of protection, making sure that your test results are accurate and unique to you.
Recommended Reading: Can Hepatitis B Be Cured
When Should People Contact A Doctor
People should contact a doctor if they have symptoms of hepatitis B. They should also seek medical help if they want to purchase a hepatitis B test, as doctors can help them choose the right test for their condition.
A doctors consultation may also be beneficial to discuss test results. A medical professional may provide a treatment plan or further testing, depending on the persons condition and test results.
Most Accurate: Idna Cbox Plus
iDNA cBox Plus
-
Free retest on positive results
-
No service available to discuss results
iDNAs cBox Plus is a test you can rely on. With more than 99.9% accuracy, you will never have to second-guess your results, and you’ll be able to move to the next step of care with confidence.
The testing process is safe, simple, and private. You can either take a blood and urine sample or a vaginal swab. Then, you mail your samples to iDNAs labs. Results are available in a few days and are provided via a private and secure online portal.
Although the kit has a hefty price tag, you will not only be getting tested for hepatitis C, but nine other sexually transmitted diseases and infections including chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, HIV I and II, syphilis, herpes II, HPV, mycoplasma, and ureaplasma.
To test for hepatitis C and nine other STDs, the kit runs about $298.
You May Like: Is Hepatitis And Hiv The Same
What Are The Pros And Cons Of At
The primary benefit to at-home tests is access. At-home tests will help identify individuals who are infected and dont know their status otherwise, says Yao, who hopes more manufacturers will develop these devices and tests.
One potential pitfall is the cost. While HCV and sexual transmitted infection tests performed in a medical facility are typically covered by insurance or made available for free at a local public health clinic, at-home HCV tests arent covered by insurance, he says.
For some, the wait time may be a deal breaker. To a lot of people, at-home tests mean you can do self-testing, like for HIV, and receive a result in 20 minutes, he says. Other potential issues include a persons ability to follow instructions and whether theyre able to do a blood prick themselves.
What Can Cause The Levels To Rise
There is no evidence that medications, vitamins, and supplements can have any effect on the test results of the hepatitis C antibody test. Some tests may indicate a false positive. This means that your test shows that you are infected but you are not. People who recovered from a past infection make sure positive results. In that case, a follow up viral load test is recommended. A false positive result affects only three percent of all tested people. But, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 35% of low risk individuals can get false positive results when it comes to hepatitis C.
Read Also: Can Hepatitis C Come Back
How Are Letsgetchecked Tests Delivered
Overall, LetsGetCheckeds delivery services can be described as great. However, with that being said, there are also a few issues that deserve to be mentioned.
Lets start with the good while many other companies in the industry only ship to the United States, LetsGetChecked has gone a step further to also provide shipping to Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
In addition to this, the company also has plans to restart shipping to the EU in the near future.
Customers in the US should also be aware of the fact that LetsGetChecked does not provide shipping to all states particularly they dont ship to Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Alaska.
Their inability to ship to both Rhode Island and New Jersey is simply due to state regulations. Canadian customers who live in Quebec cannot place an order through the website . Instead, they have to either place their order through LetsGetCheckeds customer support or by using LetsGetCheckeds iOS app.
Customers that need to have their test shipped to a P.O. box need to be aware that they wont qualify for express shipping, so they will have to utilize standard shipping. In all of the above cases, customers will receive an email with the relevant information that they can use to easily track their orders.
Is Letsgetchecked Accurate
When it comes to the accuracy of their services and the privacy measures that they employ, LetsGetChecked stands out among the competition.
First off, in terms of accuracy, prospective customers will be happy to hear that LetsGetChecked is a fully certified medical testing company.
In addition to this, they only partner with the best physicians in the industry. Speaking of partners, the organizations with which
LetsGetChecked has joined forces also lends credence to the quality and accuracy of their services. These partners include UnitedHealthcare, Optum, HSA Store, FSA Store, CVS Pharmacy.
Also Check: Does Hepatitis C Lower Your Immune System
Are Std Tests Accurate
Most modern STD tests are very accurate. Still, test accuracy varies depending on the type of sample collected and the test detection method.
Traditional in-office tests are more accurate than online-only tests, and home-to-lab tests are more accurate than self-collected ones. But both are highly efficient.
Herpes Test Simplex 1 And 2
Herpes simplex virus-1 causes periodic oral cold sores, but infected patients can experience no symptoms whatsoever. Most patients pass on the virus while a cold sore is present through kissing or sharing towels, water bottles, or cups.
Herpes simplex virus-2 is also called genital herpes, as it causes sores around the genital regions. Once again, it is possible to be infected with HSV-2 and experience no symptoms. In this case, you can pass the virus on to someone else even when you have no symptoms and practice safe sex.
The Herpes Test tests for herpes simplex virus-1 and 2 and requires a blood sample. LetsGetChecked labs use an ELISA test capable of reliably differentiating between HSV-1 and HSV-2, which is a vital distinction when up to 40% of HSV-1 carriers can remain asymptomatic, and as their course of treatment can vary significantly from that of an HSV-2 patient. For utmost accuracy, you should wait until 12 weeks after your last sexual contact to test for herpes. You can learn how LetsGetCheck’s herpes test compares to the competition in our guide to at home herpes testing.
You May Like: Is Chronic Hepatitis C Curable
Track Your Blood Glucose Levels With Ease
If you have diabetes, your doctor will likely want you to check your blood glucose levels on a regular basis at home. Keeping track of your numbers can help your doctor decide if changes need to be made to your treatment plan to better control the condition.
You can also see how exercise and diet affect your blood glucose levels, and with these insights, you’ll be better able to make lifestyle changes to benefit your health. Blood glucose levels are monitored with glucometers. These devices work with test strips that contain an enzyme called glucose oxidase that chemically reacts with blood sugar.
When you collect a small blood sample with a strip and insert it into the glucometer, the device measures the electrical activity of the reaction to determine how much glucose is currently present in the bloodstream.
Is Home Hepatitis B And C Test Home Sti Test Lets Get Checked 100 Private And Secure Clia Accredited Labs Online Results In 5 Days Available And Ready For Delivery In In Cayman Islands
desertcart ships the Home Hepatitis B And C Test Home STI Test Lets Get Checked 100 Private And Secure CLIA Accredited Labs Online Results In 5 Days to and more cities in Cayman Islands. Get unlimited free shipping in 164+ countries with desertcart Plus membership. We can deliver the Home Hepatitis B And C Test Home STI Test Lets Get Checked 100 Private And Secure CLIA Accredited Labs Online Results In 5 Days speedily without the hassle of shipping, customs or duties.
You May Like: Where Does The Hepatitis C Virus Come From
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Test
This test checks whether a person is immune to HBV or whether the body has developed resistance to the virus.
Those who are immune to hepatitis B receive a positive result. A positive result may indicate that the person is vaccinated or is recovering from acute hepatitis B.
According to the Hepatitis B Foundation , people who are immune to HBV cannot contract the virus from other people or contaminated areas and therefore cannot spread HBV to others.