Fertility, allergies, yeast infections, syphilis, urinary tract infections, hepatitis B, Helicobacter pylori infection (responsible for stomach ulcers) or even the presence of cannabis in the urine … The number of self-tests has continued to increase. increase in recent years. “They can be useful for those who go to the doctor or the laboratory of medical biology a little, for lack of time or of habit”, explains pharmacist Christian Beaurain.
If they do not replace the analyzes prescribed and performed in the laboratory, they allow pharmacists to refer these people to these structures if the doubt persists. “It is also very useful for the regular monitoring of chronic diseases” , specifies our expert. A good way to feel responsible for your health, also to treat yourself in an appropriate way, and only if it is necessary in the event of urinary infection, lack of iron …
Check for a urinary tract infection
Urine test strips detect high levels of leukocytes and nitrites in the urine, which indicate the presence of bacteria and an inflammatory reaction. We collect the urine in a cup, we dip the strip or card provided.
After a few minutes, a coloration appears and the result is read.
This test is useful in case of recurrent cystitis, to confirm the infection and start treatment at the first symptoms, or at the end of treatment to check that the infection is over. If the test is positive, the doctor may order a cytobacteriological examination of the urine (ECBU), in order to find out the causative germ. This makes it possible to adapt the antibiotic treatment.
In practice : there are many tests in pharmacies or on the Internet. For example…
– Dectra Exacto Test, lab. Biosynex, from 3.50 to 5 € for 3.
– Uritest 2, lab. Bayer, around € 9.80 for 10 strips.
Check your protection against tetanus
This test indicates whether the tetanus vaccination is still active, from a drop of blood taken from the fingertip.
Since the DTPolio vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, polio) is compulsory in children, young people are generally immunized. In adulthood, boosters are recommended at age 25, 45 and 65, and then every ten years. But you just have to lose your vaccination record to not really know where you are. A wound while gardening, a rose thorn sting, a dog bite, a leg ulcer … And you risk being contaminated. If in doubt, it may be in your interest to do a self-test. If the result is positive, protection against tetanus is active. If it is negative, you must consult your doctor to be vaccinated, treat the wound and avoid any risk of infection.
In practice : alere Tetanus Home Test, approx. € 15.
Confirm your ovulation period
An alternative to the temperature method, ovulation tests determine the most fertile time. They detect a hormone (LH) produced by the pituitary gland in urine throughout the menstrual cycle, which increases before ovulation. A positive test announces an ovulatory peak within 24 to 48 hours. The tests are started 2 to 4 days before the supposed ovulation date, for 3 days on average. For more reliable results, it is advisable to do these tests every morning at the same time. And we will have sex as soon as a test is positive.
In practice : many tests, 90% reliable, are available in pharmacies or on the Internet.
– Ovulation test Clearblue, lab. Procter & Gamble, from 25 to 29 € for 10 tests.
– Dectrapharm fertility test, from 19 to 23 € for 10 tests.
Test your allergic sensitivity
Using a drop of blood taken from your fingertip, this test evaluates the concentration of IgE (type E immunoglobulins) in the blood, antibodies whose increase is a marker of allergic sensitivity. “We can become allergic at 40 or 50, due to food, the environment, or even a reaction of our immune system to attacks by certain foods (lactose, gluten …) and drugs (antibiotics , anti-inflammatory …), explains Christophe Beaurain . This causes reactions from our tissues digestive, respiratory or skin. This test confirms the allergic condition. ” If the result is positive, the doctor will continue the investigations by ordering skin tests, a provocation test or the test for specific IgE.
In practice : This self-test is extremely reliable. The body which grants the CE marking (in accordance with the requirements) certifies a correlation of the results of at least 97% with several reference methods.
Alere Allergie Home Test, approx. € 15.
Know if you lack iron
From a drop of blood at the tip of your finger, the test measures ferritin, which shows iron stores in the body. Women of childbearing age (one in four lack of iron), children, the elderly, regular blood donors, high-level athletes, vegetarian or overly restrictive diets, chronic blood loss … all of this puts you at risk of iron deficiency. iron. This anemia can be manifested by fatigue, reduced strength, concentration, chilliness, or even depression. The test avoids taking iron if it is not useful.
If it reveals a deficiency, it is necessary to consult a doctor to find the cause, and possibly to make additional examinations. Iron can be provided by food (red meat, legumes such as lentils, broad beans, beans, chickpeas … are rich in it), food supplements or drugs.
In practice : Alere Fer Home Test, approx. € 15.
Get tested for HIV
Available in pharmacies since September 15, 2015, the HIV self-test detects antibodies produced after infection with the AIDS virus. It therefore indicates whether one is HIV positive.
The test is performed from a drop of blood. The result is available in 15 to 30 minutes. Please note, this is not an emergency screening test: you have to wait three months after the last risky report for the result to be valid.
Before, it is possible to have false negatives. This non-detection period (called the seroconversion window) is six weeks with the tests performed in the laboratory. If the result is positive, it must be confirmed by a standard test.
Above all, you should contact your doctor, pharmacist or Sida Info Service (0 800 840 800). This test does not detect other sexually transmitted infections.
In practice Autotest A AZ, lab. Mylan, between 25 and 30 €.
Some associations make it available free of charge.
Tests to be done in pharmacies
Since August 5, pharmacists have again the right to perform rapid diagnostic orientation tests (TROD) in the dispensary: for strep throat (oropharyngeal test), influenza (nasopharyngeal test) and blood sugar (drop of blood at the tip of the finger). The result is read in less than half an hour and allows the patient to take the correct treatment.
Our expert: Christophe Beaurain, pharmacist (Roubaix)
