LetsGetChecked At Home Test Kits for Coeliac Disease and other health related issues. This is my review
Readers of my blog will know that I’m a chronic illness sufferer. This means I am sick long term with an auto-immune condition with many manifestations. My condition is so rare it’s difficult to know what symptoms may be caused by it, and what may be caused by something else. Coeliac disease is something that I’ve never been tested for, but something that has always concerned me.
I have talked to my GP about these concerns but after being passed from one Dr to another; I have never really got any answers to my problems.
I decided to test at home using the LetsGetChecked Coeliac test. This is a finger prick test performed at home and returned to a laboratory for a detailed report.
LetsGetChecked
LetsGetchecked is based in Dublin, Toronto and New York and offers more than 30 tests for general wellness, sexual health, men’s health and women’s health available in the US,UK, Canada and 14 European countries.
LetsGetChecked is revolutionising the way patients can monitor, track and improve their health from home. It is useful service for a lot of people for many reasons.
My personal reason for a home check is that I feel like I’m asking for help from Doctors all the time, but they blame everything on my current condition. If I complain of stomach pains, then it can be blamed on the constant contractions of my stomach muscles which is a part of my condition.
I have, however, been having issues with my stomach since before I got sick and I have often wondered if there was a crossover with another issue.
Sometimes I get bloated and sick, and I suffer from constipation and then diarrhea in succession. I had noticed that I felt worse after eating things with a lot of gluten in, like bread and pasta.
I was keen to find out if I did have markers for Coeliac Disease or maybe it was something else.
The Testing At Home.
The test arrives in the post and you receive a small box with everything you need to perform the test at home. The Coeliac test comes with a vial for your blood sample, sterile finger pricks, sterile wipes and plasters if needed.
The instruction booklet is clear and easy to follow. First you put in your details on the box and then use the unique numbers on the box lid (and a card you keep for later reference) onto the website to register your kit. If you download the app. to your phone you can access your details at any time.
Then it’s time to collect your blood. It’s best done first thing in the morning. If you are doing the Coelic test and you have been avoiding gluten, it’s best to abandon this for a few days before the test so you can get a good result on the effect it is having on your body.
To do the test your hands have to be washed and warm. It’s suggested that you stand up and hold your fingers down.
There is a short video here which explains the process in detail.
The lancet is pressed against your finger to produce a little blood. It doesn’t hurt, I’d say less than a pin prick, but I do have less sensitivity in my fingers. You wipe away the first drop of blood and then collect the rest in the container provided. You must fill the container to the level indicated, but it really isn’t much, and your finger will stop bleeding if you put a little pressure on it. A plaster is provided if it continues to bleed a little.
I put the container in the protective envelope and back in the box, which I then put in the return envelope. You must post it back as soon as possible.
You will get a phone call and e-mail when your test is ready. The results will be visible on the app. or the website.
My Results
I logged on to the app. to discover that I do not have Coeliac Disease.
This is an enormous relief even though it does not give me any answers to what is wrong with me. I can take some positives from it. I do not have Coeliac Disease which is an auto-immune condition, but I am sensitive to gluten. So I can assume that I have Non-ceoliac gluten sensitivity. The right kind of diet can help this.
I have tried to change my diet many times, but although it’s not easy, I think my results will just make me more determined to ease this discomfort myself and I don’t have to bother the GP for any more tests.
I will, however, discuss my results with my GP when I can and ask them if they agree.
LetsGetChecked Tests
There are many tests for you to choose from at LetsGetChecked, including the new COVID-19 test.
Maybe you have concerns about your sexual health or fertility, or it could be your kidneys or cholesterol that worry you? You can even test for vitamin deficiency or hormones.
The tests are completely confidential;
Using robotics, barcoding and automation, your sample will be processed in an anonymous and timely manner with results becoming available within two to five business days
However, you are not left alone as there is always a member of the medical team available to discuss your results and your next steps.
Is this something you may be interested in?
*Note: This article is meant for educational purposes and is based on the author’s personal experiences. It is not to be substituted for medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding any new treatment protocols.
Good to hear that you don’t have coeliac disease. I gave up eating gluten a few years ago but I’ve noticed that even eating gluten free bread (which I don’t do often) makes me feel bloated. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m sensitive to yeast rather than gluten.
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