MEDICAL TESTS HIT HOME

THE BABY has an earache. Dad suspects he has high cholesterol.
Auntie's worried about colo-rectal cancer, and the household teen
could very well be on drugs.

Many a family -- boggled by these concerns and others -- used to
march right to the doctor's office for help and advice.

They still do. But the doctor's office may no longer be the first
line of defense.

The market for health tests that can be performed at home is
burgeoning. Annual sales are said to be about $1 billion a year.

The movement is putting some diagnostic power into the hands of
consumers. Now, in some cases, consumers can try to figure out what
ails them before making a doctor's appointment and perhaps save
themselves some medical bills along the way.

The progenitor of home tests is the home pregnancy test, which women
have relied on for years to determine whether it's time to put up the
cradle. But now, the home-testing field is wider, more accessible,
easier to follow and less expensive than it has ever been before.

For as little as $5 and as much as $100 or more, users of home health
tests can chart their cholesterol and blood-sugar levels, check for
indications of an ear infection, test youths for drug use and check
for the presence of certain conditions -- including colo- rectal
disease, HIV and urinary tract infections -- right in the privacy of
their homes.

While home medical tests are not 100-percent accurate (few tests
are), Sharon Snider of the federal Food and Drug Administration says
they're required by law to meet approved standards.

"All home medical tests do require approval through the FDA to be
legally marketed," Snider said in a telephone interview. "Plus, they
have to be as accurate as their laboratory counterparts.

"Overall, I think these tests are useful," said Tricia Berry,
assistant professor of pharmacy practice at St. Louis College of
Pharmacy. "But their efficacy is many times dependent on the person's
ability to perform the tests correctly.

"These tests have a potential role in screening or monitoring
specific health concerns," she added. "Many are used upon physician
request to monitor a particular health condition and the
effectiveness of medication, as is sometimes the case with blood-
pressure and blood-sugar monitoring."

Privacy is one of the principal benefits of these tests, particularly
when testing for HIV or screening for illegal drugs, Berry and others
agree.

"They provide an avenue for testing while allowing people to remain
anonymous," Berry explains. "Because of this, more people may be
tested, especially those who may be concerned about testing in other
environments where a social stigma may be assigned."

Berry says it's important to follow the manufacturers' directions
when taking home medical tests and for individuals to inform their
primary-care providers of the results.

And results from a home test should never completely replace a
doctor's visit, experts say.

"Most people use home medical tests as an instrument before going to
the doctor," says Jane Williams, pharmacy manager at the Walgreens in
Black Jack. "But nothing is foolproof. Most tests come with two
applications. Even if you get a positive response on the first try,
try the test again to make sure. But then still go to the doctor.
Home tests just help people who want to treat themselves and who want
to go to the doctor with some knowledge."

Following is a listing of some home medical tests, along with
comments from Williams on a few of the newer or more popular brands.

Pregnancy tests, prices vary.

"They're pretty much all alike today," Williams says. "They're more
user-friendly. They used to be a lab experiment, but now they're
pretty simple to use."

EarCheck Middle Ear Monitor, $99.99

It's a screening device that checks for ear infections by measuring
the amount of middle ear fluid, a key symptom of ear infection in
small children.

"This is brand new," Williams says. "It checks for middle-ear
infection in children. Typically, parents of small children buy them.
But most people have insurance and are charged a $10 co-pay to the
doctor's office. That's better than the $100 price tag of this home
test. It's not better than going to the doctor."

- --For ages 6 months to young adults.

- -- Test takes less than a minute to complete.

QTest Ovulation Test, $26.99

It helps pinpoint ovulation by testing urine samples for levels of a
luteinizing hormone.

This test "helps predict the best time to conceive," Williams says.
"Most times, it's recommended by the doctor. It's been around for
about two years."

- -- Technical assistance is available by calling (800)
266-2348.

Clinistix Reagent Strips for Urinalysis, $9.49

It uses urine samples to check blood-sugar levels.

"Mostly for diabetics. It's often used by young kids," Williams says.
"They can take the strips to school instead of doing the finger
prick. Plus, it's cheaper than some of the larger glucose-monitoring
devices."

- -- For questions, call (800) 348-8100.

CholesTrak Home Cholesterol Test, $19.99

Test uses finger prick to check cholesterol levels in
blood.

"Older men tend to use the cholesterol test," Williams
says.

- -- The test takes about 15 minutes to complete.

- -- Users must be at least age 20.

- -- The help-line number is (800) 927-7776.

PDT-90 Personal Drug Testing Service, $59.99

It uses hair samples to test for narcotics and other drugs used within
a 90- day period.

"These are mostly used by middle-aged moms who are concerned about
their teen-agers," Williams says.

- -- Samples are sent out to a laboratory for testing; results are
available typically five working days from the time they are received
at the lab.

- -- The tests are anonymous; testers must use a given code number to
access results.

- -- For questions, call (800) 720-4247.

EZ Detect, A Home Test for Early Warning Signs of Colo-rectal
Disease, $6.99

It tests for intestinal bleeding, an early warning sign of colo-
rectal disease.

"It tests for blood in stool," Williams says. "A lot of men use
this."

- -- Results are available in about five minutes.

- -- For customer service, call (800) 854-3002.

Walgreens Electronic Digital Blood Pressure/Pulse Monitor, $34.99

The monitor detects blood movement through the brachial artery and
converts the movements into a digital reading.

"This is one of the most common in-home devices. You just pump it up,
and it gives you a pulse rating," Williams says. "It tells you if
you're in the low or high range."

- -- For information or questions, call (800) 634-4350.

Home Access Express HIV-1 Test System, $39.99

It uses blood samples to test for HIV, the virus that causes
AIDS.

"Usually women and men in their mid 20s buy this test, people who
don't want to go to the doctor," Williams says. "Those who are
younger tend to simply go to Planned Parenthood -- it's cheaper."

- -- For ages 18 and older.

- -- Tests are anonymous; testers must use a given code number to
access results.

- -- Results are available by phone within three business
days.

- -- Personal counseling sessions are available for the discussion of
test results.

For questions, call (800) HIV-TEST.