Rapid Health and Wellness Tests: Experts Weigh In on Pharmacy Availability

Rapid health and wellness tests are becoming widely available in Australian pharmacies. These tests offer quick results for various metrics such as vitamin D, iron levels, perimenopause indicators, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Typically costing between $5 and $30, they do not require a medical consultation for purchase.

Expert Perspectives on At-Home Testing

Patti Shih, a senior lecturer in public health at the University of Wollongong and co-author of a study on direct-to-consumer tests, notes that hundreds of self-testing kits are currently on the market. Shih acknowledges that these kits can be beneficial for individuals facing social or geographic barriers to healthcare access, offering a less expensive alternative to doctor visits.

However, Shih cautions that most home testing kits are significantly less accurate than laboratory tests, with a higher likelihood of false positives or false negatives.

This inaccuracy can lead to further testing, false reassurance, or confusion. Shih advises against performing unnecessary tests and emphasizes that context and a comprehensive understanding of one's medical history are crucial for interpreting results. She also identifies an "over-commercialised" self-testing environment, driven by the wellness industry's focus on "optimising" oneself.

Professor Martha Hickey, director of the Women’s Gynaecology Research Centre at the Royal Women’s hospital in Melbourne, agrees that certain rapid tests, such as those for pregnancy, sexual health, and Covid, are reliable. Conversely, she suggests that other tests may lack accuracy.

Focus on Perimenopause Tests

Professor Hickey states there is no evidence that urine Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) tests can predict the onset of perimenopause, noting that FSH levels fluctuate considerably throughout the menstrual cycle. She identifies age as the primary predictor of perimenopause. Hickey observes a substantial increase in direct-to-consumer products related to women's healthcare, particularly menopause and fertility, attributing this trend to a scarcity of high-quality information available to women.

We Test Bio, a manufacturer of FSH rapid tests, clarifies that its product aims to provide an accessible indicator of changing hormone levels, not to diagnose perimenopause. TerryWhite Chemmart, a pharmacy, uses the term "perimenopause" to help customers understand the test's potential use. A We Test Bio spokesperson suggests the test can prompt discussions with healthcare professionals regarding symptoms like irregular cycles or hot flushes.

Hickey expresses concern that self-tests lacking accuracy for potentially serious conditions may not be empowering.

TerryWhite Chemmart's spokesperson states that these products are intended as a starting point, not a definitive diagnostic tool, acknowledging that perimenopause is complex and not diagnosable by a single test. The Australian Menopause Society advises that checking FSH, AMH, oestradiol, or progesterone levels is generally unnecessary for diagnosing menopause.

Examining Iron and Vitamin D Blood Tests

TouchBio manufactures Therapeutic Goods Administration-regulated finger-prick blood tests for ferritin (iron stores) and vitamin D, providing results in 10 minutes. Mazz Gencer, TouchBio’s general manager, describes these as "preliminary screening tools" designed to signal health concerns and encourage seeking medical advice or more informed conversations with healthcare professionals.

Shih recommends consulting a doctor first if symptoms are present, stating that these tests can lead to confusion and offer limited actionable information. She also suggests that the wellness industry drives the purchase of supplements, whose quality and cost can vary.

Gencer emphasizes that TouchBio’s products are regulated self-tests intended to support, not replace, professional medical guidance, and clearly instruct users to discuss abnormal results with a medical professional.

Gencer acknowledges that laboratory testing remains the standard and that a ferritin test alone does not confirm iron-deficiency anemia. Shih further advises against focusing on isolated biomarkers, advocating for a holistic view of health.

Multi-Health and UTI Rapid Tests

We Test Bio offers a multi-health and UTI home urine strip test, which provides results for 11 health concerns in 90 seconds. A spokesperson for We Test Bio indicates that such tools can support early detection and intervention, and that UTI results can help guide next steps, especially when GP access is limited.

Shih counters that for straightforward UTIs treatable with over-the-counter medication, a test may be unnecessary, and false results could lead to inappropriate treatment pathways.

Shih urges commercial companies to clearly define the appropriate use and necessity of their products.