There’s often many tests for the same things with various levels of accuracy and cost.

You really didn’t provide enough information for a more detailed analysis, but for example there’s a reason hospitals don’t just use the cheap COVID tests and call it good.

It wasn't a viral test, and I didn't lay out details here because I don't want to put all my health information on display exactly, but I have several graduate degrees in both engineering and in biology related fields, so I'm quite certain that my analysis of the equipment and technical parameters is correct. It's the financial aspect of healthcare that is horribly wrong, not the science (only let down there is an academic one, as it's awfully basic and antiquated technology that makes it to the clinic, but that's not a bug - it's a feature for safety).

There is a reason I mentioned FDA approved equipment though - it is substantially more expensive to have that label (despite being able to purchase items that claim similar parameters, those need to be exhaustively tested). Despite this, the statement that purchasing some types of equipment for your home and using it regularly, is still often far cheaper than going to the physicians office and getting a test once.

I suppose I am a bit out of the typical demographic though, as I would rather use my own TEM made in my garage to do quick analyses of lab materials than take it to my colleagues across the hall and sign up for a slot on their more resolute EM. Being able to work independently and have your own data is a nice thing sometimes.