From liver health to vitamin deficiency, we try out at home testing kits

IF you’re not sick of doing tests after months of being forced to take them for Covid, there are some really helpful ones you can use to check your health.

From liver health to vitamin deficiency, there is pretty much a test for everything these days.

Alamy

There are some really helpful tests you can use to check your health[/caption]

They are pricey but some can help pick up serious health problems or illness.

Jane Atkinson has put some of the tests to the test . . . 

Women’s health

FORTH are great because your results are kept on an app so it’s easy to compare results.

I tried MyFORM – Forth Ovarian Response Metric, which checks if your hormones are fluctuating in the correct pattern over the course of a menstrual cycle.

This test is suitable for women who want to check their fertility, hormone-related conditions such as PCOS, or find out if they are perimenopausal. It measures hormone levels and ovarian reserve.

Mine was just under the optimal level, but in your 4forties you expect that.

The test is simple. You prick your finger, fill a small tube with blood, send it off and get your results in a couple of days.

You repeat this twice in a month. It is the most advanced test of its kind on the market.

You have the option to speak to their specialist afterwards, too. The only downside is you need quite a lot of blood.

On my first go, I didn’t get enough in the tube so they sent another.

My favourite. £116, forthwithlife.co.uk.

Full blood count

THIS was a bit of a faff as you must to go to a clinic and have blood taken, instead of doing it at home.

But on the plus side, you know the right amount of blood has been taken and you don’t have to repeat the test.

The Advanced Well Woman Blood Test from Medichecks is a brilliant all-rounder.

It tests everything from red and white blood cells, kidney, liver and muscle health, diabetes, cholesterol, gout risk, mineral and vitamin levels, thyroid and hormones.

You receive the results online and you can get a report.

I also loved the fact that a doctor had gone through the results and discussed them, for example my red blood cells were enlarged, which terrified me, but the doctor suggested I repeat the test in three months (which I did and it was fine).

The only downside is I would have loved an app.

£159, medichecks.com.

Your biological age

Glycanage

Biological age is a fantastic indicator of overall health, and the test is remarkably simple[/caption]

I WAS absolutely terrified trying this one out.

Biological age is a fantastic indicator of overall health.

It enables us to see whether there is too much unhealthy stress placed on the body, which can be influenced by diet, sleep, fitness and emotional stress.

It’s also a great way of tracking the impact of any lifestyle and fitness changes you’ve made, such as training for a marathon or starting a new diet.

This was the simplest test by far. You have a piece of cardboard or blotting paper, then prick your finger and dot four squares with blood. You barely need any blood at all.

Results take a couple of weeks. I was five years under my real age!

You get a follow-up call with a scientist to help understand your results.

I had certain areas to worry about, such as diabetes risk, and he explained how I could deal with that.

If you want to keep tabs on your long-term health, this is great, £289, glycanage.com.