26 Types of Remote Test: A to Z

Remote testing usually refers to when a patient conducts a test in a non-medical setting, or separated from the healthcare worker. This could mean at-home diagnostic testing (i.e. self-collection testing) where a patient collects a sample at home and submits it to a lab to be resulted, as well as remote phlebotomy, rapid testing, and even X-rays or other in-person tests sent via store-and-forward telemedicine. There are a huge range of tests to consider as part of remote healthcare, including the 26 listed below.  

Anti-Mullerian Hormone Test

An AMH test measures the amount of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) in your blood. This corresponds to egg count and can help measure how well a person responds to fertility drugs. Both people assigned male at birth and people assigned female at birth produce AMH. 

Blood Test

Some companies offer at-home diagnostics through dried blood spot card testing. Rather than visit an in-person lab for a phlebotomy procedure, DBS card tests allow you to submit samples to remote labs with only a small amount of blood from a finger prick. 

Chat with Ash Wellness about DBS card testing for your patient population. 

COVID-19 Test

PCR or antigen COVID tests are viral tests that look for a current infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. 

Diabetes (HbA1c) Test

An HbA1c test can measure your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. It is used to screen for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends an HbA1c level of less than 7% for most adults with diabetes.

Environmental Pollutants Profile

This test measures 14 select metabolites that can help define your toxic burden. It is used to determine the impact of long-term exposure to many common chemicals with known or suspected health consequences.

Ferritin Test

Ferritin is a blood protein that contains iron, and this type of test measures the amount of ferritin in your blood. High ferritin levels can signal liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory conditions or hyperthyroidism. Lower than average ferritin levels can point to iron deficiency.

Gastrointestinal Panel

This type of panel can test for over 20 types of bacteria, parasites, and viruses to determine if you have an infection of your digestive tract. Stool sample collection materials are required. 

Heart Health Test

This general wellness test measures Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, hsCRP, and HbA1c to determine your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. Healthcare providers can use this information to develop a personalized treatment plan that may include lifestyle changes, medication, or other interventions to reduce the risk of complications.

Insulin Test

An insulin test measures the amount of insulin in your blood. Abnormal glucose levels could point to diabetes. Hyperglycemia means high blood sugar or glucose. Hypoglycemia means low blood glucose.

Joint Ultrasound

A joint ultrasound is a medical imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images of the joints, such as the shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, wrist, or elbow. It is a non-invasive procedure that allows healthcare providers to examine the soft tissues and bones of the joint, including the cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, and assess for any abnormalities, such as inflammation, fluid buildup, or damage. While the ultrasound itself is not remote, it can be sent to specialists via store-and-forward telemedicine, a type of asynchronous telehealth. 

Kidney Function Test

A kidney Function Test measures blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels to check kidney function. Your physician may recommend a kidney function test if you have blood in your urine, painful urination, or frequent urge to urinate.  

Liver Function Test

This type of test measures several factors, such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and albumin to help diagnose and monitor liver disease, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease.

Metabolism Test

A metabolism test is a medical test used to assess the body's metabolic rate. Metabolism is the process by which the body converts food into energy and other substances needed for cellular function. The metabolism test is typically used to measure a person's resting metabolic rate (RMR), which is the amount of energy the body uses while at rest.

Neuropsychological Exam

During a remote neurological exam, the healthcare professional may evaluate your ability to perform specific movements, test reflexes, assess sensory function, and evaluate cognitive function. While a remote neurological exam may not be as comprehensive as an in-person exam, it can provide valuable information to help diagnose and manage neurological conditions.

‍Organic Acids Profile

This test is a comprehensive metabolic snapshot of your overall health with 76 markers. Some people with chronic illnesses and neurological disorders excrete several abnormal organic acids in their urine due to oral antibiotic use, high sugar diets, immune deficiencies, acquired infections, as well as genetic factors.

Prostate-Specific Antigen Test

A PSA test measures the amount of PSA in your blood, and blood level of Prostate-Specific Antigen is often elevated in people with prostate cancer. 

Quantitative Sensory Testing

In a remote setting, QST can be conducted using specialized equipment and software that can be accessed by both the healthcare professional and the patient. The healthcare professional can guide you through the testing procedure and interpret the results remotely. QST is particularly useful for diagnosing conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, nerve compression syndromes, and chronic pain conditions.

Respiratory Monitoring

Remote respiratory monitoring is a type of healthcare test that allows healthcare professionals to remotely monitor a patient's respiratory function over an extended period. It involves the use of specialized equipment and software to measure and record the patient's respiratory rate, oxygen saturation levels, and other relevant metrics.

(3) Site STI Testing

Three-site or extragenital testing screens for STIs in your mouth, anus, and genitals. Anus and mouth can be positive even if the genitals are negative. This type of STI testing is considered the gold standard, and is preferred for, in particular, LGBTQ+ patients.

Thyroid Panel

A thyroid panel is a blood test that measures the levels of various hormones produced by the thyroid gland, which is located in the neck. The thyroid gland produces hormones such as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) that regulate the body's metabolism and control the rate at which the body uses energy.

Urinalysis

This is a diagnostic test that examines your urine to evaluate various aspects of your health, such as the presence of infections, kidney problems, or other medical conditions. Remote test kits typically used for urinalysis involve collecting a urine sample and using a dipstick or other testing device to analyze the urine for various substances such as glucose, protein, or blood.

Vitamin D Test

The Vitamin D test measures the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, which is the major circulating form of Vitamin D in the body. The test is usually ordered by a healthcare provider when there is a concern about Vitamin D deficiency or excess. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a variety of health problems, including osteoporosis, bone fractures, and muscle weakness.

Wearable Technology Test

Many healthcare providers and researchers are exploring the use of wearable technology for remote monitoring and disease management. Wearable technology can provide real-time data on a person's health status, allowing healthcare providers to monitor patients remotely and intervene quickly if necessary.

X-Ray

An X-ray can be done remotely as a part of teledentistry or teleradiology. This involves using digital imaging technology to capture X-ray images remotely and then transmitting those images to a radiologist or dentist who can review and interpret the results.

Yeast Culture

A remote yeast culture is a type of laboratory test used to identify the presence of yeast or other types of fungi in a biological sample. A remote yeast culture typically involves collecting a sample of bodily fluid, such as blood or urine, and shipping it to a laboratory that specializes in fungal testing. 

Zonulin Test

Zonulin is a protein that helps regulate the permeability of the intestinal lining. A Zonulin test is measured using a stool sample. Elevated levels of zonulin are associated with increased intestinal permeability, also known as "leaky gut" syndrome.

Remote testing can accommodate a huge range of healthcare needs, from sexual health to cancer and diabetes. Traditional medical institutions, public health, and digital healthcare companies can take advantage of remote testing to offer patients fully remote care flows. 

‍Ash Wellness offers 150+ types of at-home diagnostic tests, including many of those mentioned above. Schedule a time to chat with us about how the Ash Platform can support your remote testing program.