One of the most interesting things about the modern technology-driven world is the sheer number of things we can do from the comfort of our homes. For instance, lab tests and disease screenings historically involve calling up your doctor or local health center, making an appointment, enduring a couple of hours in the clinic followed by weeks or months of waiting to find out your results. Luckily, we are living in the digital era where direct-to-consumer health companies and online companies such as Amazon and Uber have changed that with the introduction of at-home testing kits that test for everything from cholesterol levels to nutrient deficiencies, all with a saliva sample or a finger prick.
The results are usually mailed to you in days, and you can quickly know if a doctor’s visit is necessary. While at-home health tests shouldn’t be used as the only diagnostic tool, they can help you avoid unnecessary trips to your doctor if you get undesirable results, or prompt a discussion with your primary healthcare physician if you get positive results. The results you get from at-home health tests can give you an insight into a critical health issue you might be struggling with.
The number of health testing kits available online is astounding, and new tests are constantly being developed every month. In this guide, we round up the best at-home health testing kits for different health concerns. We have attempted to dive deep into the most popular test types. We encourage you to go directly to the types of health tests that most interest you.
What Health Testing Kits Do Well
Provide in-depth knowledge about your health condition: An at-home test might be able to tell you for certain about your health status. For some people, this relief from uncertainty is crucial, even if it turned out negative.
Earlier detection: These tests can help detect potential health disorders or diseases before they become more serious.
Provide peace of mind: Worried about a future ailment? Knowing whether a certain disease exists or not can help you ease anxiety about their health. A huge part of at-home testing is designed to determine if you’re at risk of a certain health condition. This provides peace of mind.
Generate vital information to help make informed decisions: A health test can help diagnose a specific condition depending on the type of test you want to take. When you have an accurate diagnosis, the appropriate treatment plan can be given, and you can have a better chance of finding the right support from a professional doctor.
What Health Testing Kits Don’t Do
Provide a full-body review: At-home testing is targeted. Meaning that your health test is limited to a specific health condition such as STD, diabetes, DNA, and more. The physician will not screen your sample for everything, only what you ordered.
Here are the best at-home health tests available in the market.
LetsGetChecked
LetsGetcheked is not your ordinary testing service. It focuses its attention on-at-home blood tests that test your biology for a variety of health-related issues, including sexually transmitted diseases, hormone levels, sugar levels, and kidney strength – all from the comfort of your home. For these tests, you’ll collect both a blood and urine sample and send them back to your doctor on the same day. The process is easy, quick, and painless.
The best part is that these tests come back with results that are as accurate as those from a standard blood test you would take at your doctors’ appointment. It also offers a huge range of other tests that include biomarkers for fertility, cardiovascular, metabolic health, digestive, and certain diseases such as cancer.
LetsGetChecked puts itself way above the rest by offering professional and certified medical guidance with 24/7 support service and medical advice. It’s ideal for individuals with a sensitive health concern and those who cannot make it to a doctor’s office.
Pros
- A wide selection of at-home health tests to choose from
- Accurate testing and fast turnaround time
- A Certified medical team who provide free phone consultation for specific medical conditions
- Affordable prices
- Fast and easy shipping both ways
Cons
- No DNA test available
- Express shipping costs extra
EverlyWell
The food you eat can possibly determine how you look and feel your energy levels, and whether you feel any form of pain. The hard part of the equation is identifying which ingredients are negatively affecting you.
So, do you feel like you have certain symptoms related to foods such as stomach pain, headaches, fatigue, or diarrhea? If you have experienced a familiar situation, you may have a food sensitivity.
Fortunately, EverlyWell allows you to learn how you respond to 96 different foods. This at-home test measures your body’s IgG immune response to 96 foods to help provide accurate guidance on the best types of food to choose for an elimination diet.
EverlyWell extensive test list covers various aspects of women’s and men’s health including general wellness, sexual health, cardiovascular health, heavy metal testing, metabolism, and more.
With Everlywell’s Food Sensitivity Test, you send a finger-prick blood sample to be examined by a certified doctor. The DNA sample is screened and tested against 96 different foods including certain types of fruits, dairy, protein, seafood, spices, vegetables, and seeds. An independent board-certified physician will review your sample and provide you with information about your hormones and what the detected levels mean, actionable insights to guide you in food decision-making, and necessary resources to help you learn more about the results. You can decide whether it’s worth visiting a doctor about the nature of your symptoms in a person.
It’s ideal for anyone who suspects that they have food-related symptoms such as stomachaches, gastrointestinal distress, bloating, fatigue, migraines or skin problems, or anyone who is under a temporary elimination diet but overwhelmed by the idea of removing a large portion of food variety from their diet.
Pros
- Relatively affordable STD comprehensive tests
- A variety of accurate at-home tests to choose from
- CLIA certified labs and HAS/FSA accepted
- Results reviewed by professional physicians
- Free call and video consultations
Cons
- Not available to residents of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Rhode Island
- No customer support hours on weekends
MyLab Box
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that almost 20 million cases of STDs are recorded each year. With such a high number, STD screening is critical in effectively controlling their spread.
MyLab Box is one of the most affordable and long-running at-home STD screening testing kits for HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis C, herpes, and trichomoniasis. Apart from STD testing, they offer over 30 unique testing options spread between wellness and family planning.
Their primary focus is to maintain an individual’s privacy and provide faster results at the comfort of the individual’s home. They allow you to purchase an STD Test Kit by mail, then gather and collect your STD test kit samples in the privacy of your home, then send it to an FDA approved lab for further testing.
On reviewing your sample, they will notify you via email to inform you when results are available. They also provide you with a secure link to check your results online or selected stores including Walmart or Target.com. If there is a positive diagnosis, myLAB Box offers free telemedicine consultation with a certified physician in your state to prescribe the appropriate treatment.
With myLAB Box, you not only get unlimited access to the at-home test for STDs but also a chance to enjoy peace of mind while connecting with the best medical physicians and resources.
Pros
- Numerous testing options
- Relatively affordable prices
- Committed to privacy
- Free shipping and professional prescriptions
- Include free phone consultation with a certified physician
Cons
- Currently, they don’t accept FSA/HAS payment cards
- Some customers have had to retake tests due to unsatisfactory results
Nurx
How many times have you found yourself without your birth control prescription? Too many to count? It can be that you forgot them at home or you didn’t make to refill your birth control on time.
Fortunately, Nurx takes the hassle out of female contraception. They make everyday care needs – essentials such as birth control, STI testing, home HPV tests, PrEP for HIV prevention, and more – affordable and accessible for everyone. In their kitty, you’ll find three different STI Home Test Kits to choose from. They include a health woman kit, full control kit, and basic covered kit.
Healthy woman kit tests for STIs most likely to affect the female bodies especially those that could affect fertility.
Full control kit is recommended for anyone, either male or female, who hasn’t undergone any test for a long time and want full results of their health status.
The basic covered kit is designed for people who have undergone an STI test within the past year and want a status check.
Nurx’s medical team is made up of professional physicians, doctors, and nurse practitioners who will guide when picking out medication. They will review your order and write a prescription for you if they approve. If you don’t like your birth control, you can always swap it out for a new method.
Pros
- An easy and convenient way to get contraception
- Competitive prices
- Automatic refill available
- Reliable customer support
- Private, discreet and non-branded packaging
Cons
- Purchasing of prescriptions doesn’t involve physical doctor visits
- Currently, Nurx doesn’t have live chat. You must call the support phone number for assistance
iDNA
The iDNA test works like the tests from myLAB Box and EverlyWell where you order a testing kit from their website and then follow a set of instructions for the sample. The only difference is that iDNA provides lab results only.
The most popular test on iDNA is The Complete Test Kit that screens for STI/STDs such as gonorrhea, HIV, herpes, chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and hepatitis C. Their at-home kits are FDA-approved and testing is done in CLIA-certified and HIPAA-compliant labs.
The process is completely private and secure. The kits will arrive in generic mail packaging with no brand name on them. The samples are returned to a fulfillment center and not a lab. A team of certified doctors will review your sample and provide you with testing guidance throughout the process. An added benefit is that iDNA offers one free retest per disease after a positive result plus shipping and handling.
Pros
- Easy and convenient testing bundles
- Discreet shipping that is free for both ways
- FDA-approved certified tests and labs
- Free retesting for a positive result
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Testing for minors isn’t available
- No live chat
Livewell Testing
Livewell Testing is among the best DNA testing services in the market offering a great customer experience and an incredible portfolio of tests. It’s home to all your DNA testing, wellness, and health-related needs. The at-home tests offered here will check your cholesterol levels, heart health, weight, fertility, bone density, vitamin, and hormone levels. Beside body-oriented tests, Livewell Testing also focused on pet tests as well as environmental tests.
The best part of using the LiveWell at-home DNS test kit is how easy the testing process is. You can order a test kit in a few minutes and once you receive it in your mail, taking a cheek swab is quite easy. They also include a prepaid label, so you don’t have to spend a dime to mail the sample back. The results are ready in less than 5 working days which is another reason to choose Livingwell Testing for their quick turnaround time.
Since they have to maintain the high standards outlined in their accreditations and certifications, they ensure your sample is tested accurately by a team of certified doctors.
Pros
- Broad testing options in the market
- Customer confidentiality
- Quick turnaround times
- Affordable prices
- Convenient ordering process
Cons
- Shipping test kits to different addresses can be a challenge
Thorne
Health, technology, and supplement company, Thorne features more than five at-home health tests. They spread across fertility, sleep, stress, thyroid, menopause, heavy metals, and more. These tests are done to determine an individual’s unique biomarkers and can uncover specific health insights that help consumers take action to optimize health outcomes. Based on individual test results, Thorne offers a personalized plan on what to eat, type of exercises, and which nutritional supplements to include to improve overall health results.
Thorne tests use a simple, at-home sample collection of either a saliva or blood sample, depending on the test. The samples are then mailed back to the CLIA-certified lab for further analysis. Thorne’s technology and medical staff collaborate to produce medically supervised, algorithm-driven recommendations, and its online platform presents the results in an easy-to-read format on their dashboard.
Consumers can decide which tests are right based on several factors including heart health, vitamin levels, testosterone, weight management, and menopause. The platform improves the functionality of healthcare medical experts around the world. Through the platform, practitioners can be able to interact with patients via text messaging, and send consumers personalized supplement recommendations, all to improve interactions between doctors and patients.
Pros
- Pools of tests to choose from
- Personalized treatment plans
- Board-certified physicians and labs
- Proprietary algorithms that personalize health recommendations
Cons
- Comprehensive may take a bit longer
STDCheck.com
The thought of having a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) infection stills inspires panic in most people even though there is great progress towards finding treatment for most of these infections.
The good news is that STDCheck.com makes it simple, fast, and convenient to get tested for an STD – all at the comfort of your house. They offer 10 different tests, all of which are combined in a comprehensive 10-test panel to test for all major STDs. They include Herpes type I, herpes type II, HIV type I, HIV type II, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia.
Additionally, STDCheck.com offers an HIV RNA Early Detection Test that can detect HIV infections within six days of exposure. The test is more accurate if it’s taken nine to 11 days after exposure. If you’re not sure which STD testing package is right for you, STDCheck.com provides a simple recommendation tool that allows you to feed your information such as age, sexual history, gender, history of drug use, and any other important information related to your behavior and history as well.
Confidentiality is a priority on this platform, so you can be certain that you will receive confidential STD testing and your personal information is secure. If you have any questions, you can chat with one of their qualified physicians, and they will prescribe treatments if necessary.
Pros
- Quick and discreet testing
- 10 test panel advantage
- Competitive prices
- FDA-approved tests and CLIA-certified labs
- Same day testing available with fast test results
- Multiple payment options (FSAs, HSAs, PayPal, and Cryptocurrency)
Cons
- Available within the US only
- Multiple tests are quite expensive
HealthTestingCenters
Health Testing Centers is an online service that offers the best lab tests and thousands of at-home tests to determine the status of your health or detect possible issues or concerns that you may have. You will find tests for health and wellness, allergy, cholesterol, cancer, diabetes, disease detection, drugs, heavy metals & toxins, and more. The company works in conjunction with LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics to offer the best blood testing options and satisfactory services.
Once you order a test, a team of professional practitioners will guide you to ensure you choose the proper test and find a lab. The kit will be shipped to you so that you can collect the sample, and then mail it back to the assigned lab. Since Health Testing Centers maintain high standards as required by their certifications, they ensure your data is confidential and the tests are as accurate as possible. Its lab is FDA-approved and CLIA certified, so you can trust them with your private information and private testing.
Pros
- Convenient channel to purchase health test
- Private and accurate in test results
- A wide variety of major and specific health tests
- Guaranteed confidentiality for at-home tests
- Relatively affordable prices
Cons
- Comprehensive tests take a little bit longer
- Still have to visit the lab for non-at-home tests
What to Consider When Looking for at-Home Online Health Testing Kits
Health tests save lives. Identifying diseases before they become more severe can mean the difference between life and death. However, it’s a fact that many people hate going to the doctor, live too far from a medical facility, not to mention sitting in a germy waiting room waiting to be served.
These challenges have created a demand for at-home health tests. Most tests can be purchased online or at a pharmacy. Several of them require a doctor’s prescription, but all are administered by the patient at home. For most health-related tests, there are several things to consider before you place your order.
Test Accuracy: Before you click the order button first do your research and answer the following questions. Does the testing company use the latest technology available for accuracy purposes? How accurate is the test result compared to other players in the market?
Privacy: Is your kit delivered to your home in discreet packaging? What about the results, are they secure in the custody of the physician? Could your data be used without your knowledge?
Value: Try to find out if they are hidden costs in health tests especially when it comes to the shipping and testing process. Also, does the test company offer discounts to customers? Overall ensure you get value for what you pay.
Customer Support: Does the testing provider guide you in choosing the best health tests? How are the results presented? Once you have questions, does the company provide phone or video consultation to help you understand the results and the necessary treatment plan?
Speed of Testing: After how long do you receive your test results after checking out? Have the testing provider indicated the waiting times and are they accurate and consistent?
What Makes for a Good At-Home Test?
- It provides precise and detailed information about what health condition you’re being tested for.
- Results are presented accurately, with access to a certified physician for any questions.
- It easy to get tested for any health condition that might be of concern
- The test provider will provide relevant information on the right treatment plan and connect to one
Final Thoughts
The advent of technology has certainly made things much easier and confidential than they were before. Currently, you can privately be tested for different diseases without anyone knowing about it. If you’re among those who loathe going to the doctor for a health test and waiting for hours to get results, then direct-to-consumer or at-home-related testing may be right for you. Doing your research on the best providers, tests, and what information they can disclose and not disclose to you, means you’ll be in a better position to make informed decisions about at-home testing. Be sure to check the main features of your test such as accuracy, speed of test result, privacy, customer support, and more before making the final decision.