Home medical tests are on the rise – but do they really work?

‘When people use these tests on their own bodies, with all their various idiosyncrasies, unpredictable home environments and other illnesses, we don’t know how well they work.’ Illustration: Eiko Ojala

Afew years ago, I was in my early 30s, trying to get pregnant for the first time. Every morning I’d take the bus to work and sit, waiting, at the stop just outside my flat, next to a glowing ad for at-home fertility testing.

I started seeing these ads everywhere: ads that weren’t just for women or about making babies. From genetic cancer screening advertised on trains, to an array of tests available to buy from your local Boots, it seemed suddenly possible to identify allergies and intolerances, assess the health of your bowel or pinpoint vitamin deficiencies from the safety and comfort of your own home. The taglines for these tests ranged from “Your hormones, your way” to “Blood testing made easy” and “Knowledge is power”.