Potential pitfalls of reproductive direct-to-consumer testing

Frank Z Stanczyk; Rachel S Mandelbaum; Rogerio A Lobo

doi:10.1016/j.xfre.2022.01.007

Potential pitfalls of reproductive direct-to-consumer testing

F S Rep. 2022 Feb 1;3(1):3-7. doi: 10.1016/j.xfre.2022.01.007. eCollection 2022 Mar.

Authors

Frank Z Stanczyk^{1

2}, Rachel S Mandelbaum¹, Rogerio A Lobo³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
² Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York.

Abstract

The availability of direct-to-consumer (DTC) testing has dramatically increased over the past 2 decades, particularly those targeted at reproduction and fertility. Several ethical concerns exist with regard to DTC tests, including the lack of governmental regulation and consumer protection, standardized laboratory methodology, and clinical validity and actionability. Physicians must familiarize themselves with the pitfalls of DTC tests to best aid patients in interpreting DTC test results and guide them toward evidence-based treatment plans.

Keywords: Direct-to-consumer testing; fertility diagnostic testing; laboratory methodology; ovarian reserve testing.