Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Given how difficult it is to see a doctor or even book a blood test nowadays, many people are turning to internet searches and other way to get a head-start on their medical appointments. Berkeley Health Self-Testing kits are available in Waitrose and can test for Vitamin D, FSH levels (menopause), Thyroid TSH and other common deficiencies. We were sent some self-testing packs to try out.
Starting with the Berkeley Health Menopause FSH test, there are 2 tests in the packet. The urine test detects FSH through gold-conjugated monoclonal antibodies. It looks similar to a pregnancy test and is used in the same way. It takes 5 minutes for the results to show on the test device and gives a positive/negative/non valid result. A positive test shows that FSH in the urine is equal to or higher than 25mIU/mL, indicating that menopause, or perimenopause, has already started. At this point, the instructions suggest you see your doctor. In a negative result, the results are below 25 mIU/mL but it is strongly suggested to carry out another test a few days later using the second test device in the kit, as FSH can alter during the course of a few weeks.
The Berkeley Health Thyroid TSH Rapid Test Cassette is a blood test which provides 2 lancets as well as a testing cartridge. With washed hands, follow the instruction to draw a drop of blood and using the capillary dropper, migrate blood into the dropper. Put the blood from the dropper onto the cassette and it will give a positive/negative result within 10 minutes. A positive result means the TSH level is higher than normal (5 µIU mL) and you need to see a doctor. Why is the level of TSH important? A high level might indicate that that your body isn’t metabolising properly and you could be putting on or losing weight or have a problem with your thyroid. The TSH test is one that is not done in isolation by a doctor, but they can look at a range of test results and make a diagnosis.
Finally, the Berkeley Health Vitamin D test ins one single test in the packet and has the most amount of apparatus out of all of the kits we were sent! Vitamin D is important in the body for the absorption in the gut of calcium, iron, magnesium phosphate and zinc. All of these elements are needed in the body for a huge range of functions and growth so it’s important to make sure Vitamin D levels are as good as possible. This test includes the lancet again for self-drawing blood, a pipette for collecting the blood, a vial with a dropper tip containing the vitamin D test and the Vitamin D test cassette. As with the TSH test, use the lancet to draw blood, use the pipette to migrate a sufficient amount of blood and then deposit a drop on the cassette. The results after 10 minutes are deficient/insufficient/sufficient/excess or invalid.
All of the tests are easy to use and the results being positive/negative make it easy to read the outcomes without confusing data and having to find someone to interpret them for you. They’re also a really good way of cheaply eliminating a health problem or finding a pathway. Trying lots of different Berkeley Health tests when you don’t know what’s going on could give you a direction to start exploring with your doctor too.
Available from Waitrose from £8-£10.
The Review Studio 