Home test kits can offer a valuable insight into your health, but with the flexibility to do the test in the comfort & convenience of your own home
Whether you’d like to get an insight into a nutrient level or simply want to find out more about how your lifestyle and genetics may play a part in your health and wellbeing, our range of home test kits are a discreet, confidential and convenient option to give you answers in just a few simple steps.
What type of home test kits are available at Boots?
There are a range of home test kits available at Boots, and they come in four main types:
- Rapid tests include those that can help give an indication of iron or vitamin D levels. These tests give you a result at home within minutes
- Blood and urine sample kits include thyroid hormone tests and those which can check for exposure to sexually transmitted infections. The samples needs to be sent to a laboratory for evaluation. When the results are ready, you’ll receive a report with personalised advice and recommendations based on your results
- Swab tests are those that can allow customers to provide a swab which will then be used to test their DNA to review their risk to develop certain health conditions such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, intolerances and sensitivities, and their body’s response to glucose. You’ll receive a report of the results with personalised advice and recommendations based on your results
What kind of things can be tested for with home test kits?
The types of things that can be tested for with home test kits from Boots Online Doctor*:
- Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV
- Prediabetes and diabetes
- Thyroid health
There are other home test kits, like those available from MyHealthChecked, that can help you get an understanding of some aspects of your general health and wellness. These include:
- Intolerances & Sensitivities DNA test to understand if your genetic profile is associated with any intolerances and sensitivities
- Weight Management Blood Test to understand whether any underlying factors that may be making it challenging to maintain a healthy weight
- Sperm Concentration Rapid Test to understand if low sperm levels could be affecting your chances of conceiving
Test kits like those available from MyHealthChecked are designed to give an insight into your health rather than a diagnosis of a health condition.
For example, Boots Iron (Ferritin) Rapid Test can give you an insight into whether you have low iron levels. However, these tests do not provide a diagnosis, so if the test indicates an abnormal iron level or you have any symptoms you’re concerned about, you should contact your doctor for advice before starting any treatment or taking a supplement. They may arrange further investigations to look for possible underlying conditions and may advise you to take an iron supplement if your iron levels are low.
How do home tests work & when will the results be ready?
Different types of home tests work in different ways in terms of taking the test and how the results are analysed, which means the time it takes to get results may vary. The different types of tests available at Boots include:
- Home finger-prick blood sample , home results (usually within minutes)
- Home finger-prick blood sample , send away sample to lab for results (usually within a few days)
- Home swab test, home results (usually within minutes)
- Home swab test, send away sample to lab for results (usually within a few days)
- Home stool sample test, home results (usually within minutes)
- Home semen sample test, home results (usually within minutes)
Rapid tests like lateral flow tests for COVID-19, such as the Flowflex Antigen Rapid Test Lateral Flow Self-Testing Kit and the MyHealthChecked Bowel Health Rapid Test come in the form of swabs or dipsticks and give results within a few minutes, without the need to be sent to a lab.
Some finger-prick blood tests like the Boots Vitamin D Rapid Test can also be done at home with results within a few minutes.
Finger-prick blood and urine sample kits like the MyHealthChecked Female Sexual Health Test and the Boots Online Doctor HbA1c test for prediabetes and diabetes can be done at home and then posted to a lab for the results to then be reviewed by a clinician. You’ll receive an email when your results and recommendations are ready for you to view, usually within a couple of days of the sample arriving at the lab.
Swab tests like the MyHealthChecked Vitamins & Minerals DNA Test involve sweeping a swab on the inside of your cheek to collect saliva and then posting a sample off for the results to be reviewed by a clinician. Results from these types of tests are usually available within a few days from the sample arriving at the lab.
How to use home test kits correctly
Different home test kits work in different ways, so it’s important to read all the information that comes with your chosen home test kit and follow the instructions carefully. Some home test kits have a QR code that you can scan which will take you to a video on how to do the test.
How accurate are home test kits?
All home test kits available at Boots are accurate, provided you follow the storage advice and test instructions carefully.
What is the correct way to store home test kits?
Each type of test kit will have its own storage instructions, so you should refer to the storage information on the pack or the instruction leaflet inside the pack.
What to do if you receive a positive or concerning result
The type of home test you do will determine how you get your results. Some home tests that need to be sent to lab come with a QR code for you to scan and access an online dashboard, where your test results and recommendations provided by a healthcare professional will be displayed once they’re ready. The information will help you understand your result and decide what to do next.
Rapid tests will give you a result on the spot, so the results are quickly available but will not be reviewed by a clinician and personalised recommendations will not be provided. Therefore, if a home test that provides a result without a sample being sent to a lab indicates an abnormal level or you have any symptoms you’re concerned about, you should contact from your doctor for advice.
For home test kits provided by Boots Online Doctor, aftercare is provided. So, if you get an abnormal or concerning result, or a result you weren’t expecting, you’ll be able to access advice from a healthcare professional.*
It’s important to remember that while home test kits can give you an insight into your health and wellbeing, if you’re experiencing symptoms of any kind, you should speak to your doctor for advice.
