Exploring how diagnostics can positively impact women’s health

At-home testing is becoming a popular way for women to become more informed and empowered about their own bodies. A simple finger-prick blood test, urine sample or saliva swab can reveal hormone imbalances, fertility insights, or the onset of risk factors  associated with the menopause, such as high cholesterol, raised blood sugar and vitamin D deficiency.  Thriva’s female user health data tells us 3 in 4 women over the age of 50 have high cholesterol, and over half of these women have high LDL cholesterol specifically.* 

These insights can be the first step in understanding hormonal triggers and improving overall health. And increasingly, becoming comfortable with accessing this data in a non-clinical setting, including via self-administered blood, saliva and urine tests.

This is just one example of how testing plays a vital role in women’s health. By detecting health issues early, treatments can begin sooner and be more targeted. Better still, diagnostics can help doctors identify conditions that may not otherwise present obviously in their early stages. Many conditions that are caught early can be managed with the implementation of lifestyle changes, and without the need for medication. 

Where treatment is needed, at-home testing and diagnostics enables clinicians to more effectively monitor changes in patients over time, and to use those insights to adjust treatments and advise on lifestyle changes. And it can also improve communication and trust between patients and their doctors by providing data-driven health plans and measurable goals for treatments. 

How women can choose the right at-home diagnostic products

Traditionally, diagnostics has only been something for clinicians to consider. But the introduction of self-administered tests - easily available online or in retail pharmacies - has made diagnostics far more accessible. Here are some factors you should consider:

• Clinical competence - check that the test provider works with qualified clinicians and laboratories, and holds the necessary regulatory certifications.
  
  
• Range of tests - sometimes you’ll want to check for a specific health marker, but other times you’ll want an all-round picture of your health. The more you can get everything you need from the one product, the easier it’ll be.
  
  
• Ease-of-use - home-tests should be easy to perform, with simple instructions for sending them to labs and accessing your results.
  
  
• Customer education and support - perhaps you don’t know what you want to test, or what various health markers actually mean. Look for products and content that support you in making an informed decision about what products might be right for you. 

Why Thriva

• Our home blood testing kits are CE-marked, meaning they meet the health and safety requirements within the European Economic Area (EEA). And we only partner with UKAS-accredited labs that are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
  
  
• We have a team of full-time professional clinical staff who oversee all aspects of our testing and rigorous quality maintenance activities. Read the story of the science behind our analysis of the best way to conduct tests for oestradiol and other markers of women’s hormone levels.
  
  
• Our personalised health insights software uses AI to draw on data from more than 500 peer-reviewed scientific publications to provide actionable advice and lifestyle recommendations.
  
  
• Thriva tests have a 95% accuracy rate.

Learn more about how pharmacies and retailers can partner with Thriva to offer women's health diagnostic services to their customers.  

*Data from Thriva customers March 2023