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- Best for metabolism: Everlywell
- Best for thyroid testing: LetsGetChecked
- Best for menopause: myLAB Box
- Best for women’s fertility: Modern Fertility
Feeling out of sorts? It might be time to check your hormones. Hormones are molecules produced in the endocrine system that deliver messages throughout the body to regulate things like fertility, growth, and metabolism.
From chronic fatigue to unexplained weight changes, imbalanced hormones can wreak havoc on your body.
Read on to learn what hormone testing can teach you about your body.
At-home hormone tests can analyze levels of key hormones that impact stress, sleep, weight, mood, and a host of other properties that make up our overall health.
Because the pandemic led many to stay home, at-home testing companies saw a huge boom. According to Axios, the demand for 75 percent of Everlywell’s tests doubled in 2020. LetsGetChecked tests saw an 880 percent increase from 2019.
While the COVID-19 pandemic increased people’s desire to test remotely, the convenience of at-home tests can also save time commuting to a doctor’s office.
Fertility
Infertility is a common concern among couples looking to conceive. According to the
Though infertility isn’t always caused by women in a relationship, the issue is something every couple should consider when trying to conceive.
Fertility tests for women focus on testing:
- anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)
- estradiol
- follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- free thyroxine (fT4)
- luteinizing hormone (LH)
- prolactin
- thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
While this sounds like a bunch of medical jargon, each hormone has an important purpose in the reproductive system.
AMH is released by cells around your follicles and is the best predictor of your ovarian reserve or egg count. FSH is responsible for starting ovulation, while estradiol is a sex hormone produced by your ovaries. LH is the hormone that keeps your cycle regular and is produced by your pituitary gland.
Testing for thyroid health is also necessary since the gland can often be the root of pregnancy issues. Low levels of TSH and untreated hypothyroidism can interfere with ovulation, impairing fertility. Thankfully, TSH and fT4 can be adjusted with medication when thyroid disease is present.
Menopause
Similar to fertility tests, menopause tests check your level of FSH. Since your ovaries stop producing eggs when you enter menopause, a test can indicate increased FSH levels.
According to the
These tests will accurately detect FSH about 9 out of 10 times, but, as you get older, your FSH levels may rise and fall during your menstrual cycle.
If you do test for high FSH, it’s best to confirm your test with a doctor and discuss your results.
Thyroid
Though the thyroid gland is small, it is fierce.
The butterfly-shaped gland produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolic rate. Your thyroid can have an impact on your heart, muscle and digestive function, brain development, mental health, and fertility.
At-home and in-office tests typically check the three main thyroid hormones:
- TSH
- triiodothyronine (T3) or free-triiodothyronine (fT3)
- thyroxine (T4) or free-thyroxine (fT4)
About
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- lethargy
- depression
- weight gain
- low libido
- MO hair loss
- slowed heart rate
- constipation.
Your body can also produce too much thyroid hormone, resulting in hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- restlessness
- nervousness
- inability to concentrate
- difficulty sleeping
- irregular heartbeat
- weight loss
- nausea
Once diagnosed with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, patients can take medication to regulate their thyroid function.
For most adults, 7 to 8 hours of sleep is the gold standard for a healthy night’s rest. Anything less can harm your mental and physical well-being.
Hormone tests can measure sleep by testing melatonin levels, a significant hormone in the sleep-wake cycle.
While melatonin is a key indicator of your circadian rhythm, at-home tests may also measure cortisol — the stress hormone — and creatinine.
Stress
At-home stress hormone tests measure cortisol, the hormone that controls your fight-or-flight response. While it ignites our instincts in moments of fear, it also impacts our energy, sleep, and blood pressure.
When your cortisol level is imbalanced, stress can manifest in physical symptoms, like:
- fatigue
- insomnia
- headaches
- nausea
- chest pains
An at-home hormone test targeting stress will measure the cortisol level in your body.
Genomics
Genomic tests study DNA, including the structure and function of genes. Rather than providing an ancestry report or basic genetic testing, genomic testing goes a step further to offer insights into all of your genes and how your body works on a molecular level.
Genomic testing can provide risk markers for disease, how likely a disease would spread, and the best treatment options and outcomes.
Genomic testing is often used in cancer patients to predict how aggressive a form of cancer will be, but it can also detect if someone is prone to certain diseases, like Parkinson’s or Celiac.
Testosterone
The testosterone hormone plays a vital role in male bodies by maintaining bone density, muscle mass, libido, fat distribution, and fertility.
Low testosterone can cause a series of issues from erectile dysfunction to depression in men.
Anyone can take at-home tests to measure their testosterone levels and determine if they have the appropriate amount for their age and sex.
Learn more about testosterone tests.
Metabolism
At-home metabolism tests measure key hormones that can affect your weight and energy level.
The tests often measure cortisol, free testosterone, and TSH — three hormones that play a significant role in the function of metabolism.
If you’re feeling fatigued or showing significant changes in your weight, a metabolism test is a helpful starting point to get to the bottom of your issues.
The simplicity of at-home hormone tests makes them an easy, effective option. After ordering your test, a box will arrive with thorough instructions to collect testing samples.
Depending on the test selected, you’ll be asked to take a urine sample or blood sample using a finger pricking tool.
Once you finish your test, you’ll ship your results to a lab for review. Results are typically provided online between 2 and 5 business days after the samples reach the lab.
Hormones can influence your mood, immune system, brain function, reproductive system, bone density, and energy levels. Hormones are key players in the body’s performance. An imbalance can cause a noticeable shift in health.
From problems conceiving to constant low energy, testing your hormones can help provide a full picture of your health. It’s important to identify your key symptoms when picking a hormone test and following up with your doctor to discuss the results.
There are several conditions or complications that can develop as the result of a hormone imbalance. If you’re suddenly losing or gaining weight without trying, have join pains, severe fatigue, or abdominal pain that doesn’t go away, schedule an appointment to talk with your doctor.
You may also want to see a doctor if you’re trying to get pregnant and are unable to for some time, or if you’re experiencing other reproductive issues.
When researching at-home hormone tests, we read online reviews to determine the best tests on the market. We also ensure that clinicians who work for these services are licensed and each test is studied in a certified lab.
Best for metabolism
Everlywell
- Price: $49
- Type: Self-collection
- Coverage: flexible savings account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) accepted
- What’s tested: TSH, fT4, and cortisol
- Pros: Tests for key metabolic hormones
- Cons: Multiple kits must be purchased to test other types of hormones (no comprehensive hormone kits offered)
Learn more about Everlywell here.
If you’re low on energy or unable to manage your weight, a slowed metabolism might be the culprit. Everlywell provides a low-cost hormone test that checks three key hormones linked to stress and thyroid function.
Some common symptoms linked to low metabolism are:
- thinning hair
- fatigue
- increased body fat
- decreased muscle mass
- sleep disturbance
The Everlywell test includes a finger prick and saliva sample, which is then sent off to a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified lab for review.
For those looking to collect additional health data, Everlywell offers a membership for $24.99 per month. The membership includes one test of your choice per month and 20 percent off all additional tests purchased.
Best for thyroid testing
LetsGetChecked
- Price: $99–$119
- Type: Self-collection
- Coverage: FSA and HSA accepted
- What’s tested: TSH, fT4, and fT3
- Pros: Specific male, female comprehensive reproductive hormone tests offered
- Cons: Multiple kits must be purchased to test other types of hormones (no comprehensive hormone kits offered)
Learn more about LetsGetChecked here.
LetsGetChecked has an average 4.3-star rating, with over 8,000 reviews on Trustpilot. Customers praise LetsGetChecked’s customer service, easy instructions, and fast results.
The company carries a variety of tests for hormones, sexually transmitted infections, and overall wellness. Of the options, LetsGetChecked offers two thyroid tests that target a variety of biomarkers.
The basic Thyroid Test ($99) tests for biomarkers like TSH, fT4, and fT3 — three core components to look at when evaluating the function of the thyroid. The biomarkers can help diagnose conditions, like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
The Thyroid Antibody Test ($119) goes a step further to test thyroid antibodies that can provide information on damage to the thyroid. The test measures TSH, fT4, fT3, thyroglobulin antibodies, and thyroid peroxidase antibodies.
Results are typically received in 2 to 5 days, and nurses are available to discuss results and answer questions 24/7.
Best for menopause
myLAB Box
- Price: $99
- Type: Self-collection
- Coverage: FSA and HSA accepted
- What’s tested: FSH, estradiol, and progesterone
- Pros: General metabolism kit offers wide range of results, kits offered with a focus on menopause
- Cons: Most kits are categorized by hormone type, and you may need to buy more than one
Whether you have menopause or you’re approaching it, your hormonal balance is a vital part of your body function.
MyLAB Box offers a Perimenopause Test that measures your hormone balance when approaching menopause. It tests for FSH, estradiol, and progesterone.
When your levels are off, you may experience shifts in your metabolism, sleep, and memory.
Likewise, life after menopause is just as important. The Postmenopause Test measures estradiol and progesterone with blood and saliva samples.
After 2 to 5 days, you can connect with a myLAB Box physician at no charge to discuss results.
They also offer a variety of health tests to support couples looking into family planning. The offerings include female fertility, ovarian reserve, ovulation confirmation, male fertility, and testosterone tests.
Best for women’s fertility
Modern Fertility
- Price: $159
- Type: Self-collection
- Coverage: FSA and HSA accepted
- What’s tested: AMH, TSH, FSH, estradiol, fT4, prolactin, and LH
- Pros: Test kits offered focus on women’s fertility and reproductive hormones
- Cons: Kits not offered for other hormone types
Fertility is a personal subject for many people, and testing in the privacy of your own home may help ease anxiety.
Modern Fertility provides an affordable testing kit that requires simple blood samples collected with a finger prick during the first few days of your menstrual cycle.
The kits are customized for your birth control, meaning your contraception will be factored into your physician-reviewed results.
Modern Fertility offers a free one-on-one call with a fertility nurse. Modern Fertility also offers access into its online community where users can find a sense of camaraderie.
| Brand | Test name | Price | Collection type | Tests for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everlywell | Metabolism Test | $49 | finger prick blood sample, saliva sample | TSH, fT4, cortisol |
| LetsGetChecked | Thyroid Test | $99 | finger prick blood sample | TSH, fT4, fT3 |
| MyLAB Box | Perimenopause Test | $99 | finger prick blood sample, saliva sample | FSH, E2, progesterone |
| Modern Fertility | Hormone Test | $159 | finger prick blood sample | AMH, TSH, FSH, E2, fT4, PRL, LH (depending on birth control use) |
Are at-home hormone tests trustworthy?
It’s important to find a company that uses a certified lab. “If results can’t be independently confirmed by multiple labs, there’s a chance you’re being persuaded to purchase a solution to a nonexistent problem,” explains Dr. Chris Airey, the medical director at Optimale.
“When looking for an accurate at-home testing kit, make sure there are options to keep and share your results, as well as options for medical professional support. That can help ensure your results are accurate, and being used for something other than a business gimmick,” he adds.
Are at-home hormone tests accurate?
Overall, at-home hormone tests are accurate, but human error should be factored in. When collecting blood samples, not following the instructions can result in inaccurate or inconclusive test results.
“To avoid user error, work with a company that provides instructions with impeccable detail and, ideally, physician support,” Airey recommends.
Do at-home tests work better than in-person tests?
While at-home tests can be effective, in-office tests can cut out the potential for poor sample collection. Even so, at-home tests may be a suitable option for people with demanding schedules as a place to get started.
How can I check my hormone levels at home?
Most kits allow you to check your hormone levels at home by sending you a kit with a small lancet. This device pricks a small hole in your finger, allowing you to collect a small drop of blood for testing. Some kits may also use saliva or urine samples.
How do I know if I have a hormonal imbalance?
You may suspect that you have a hormonal imbalance if you’re unable to get pregnant, your weight drops or increases rapidly, you have unwanted hair growth, you’re easily tired, or you have other issues with your metabolism.
Which tests are best for hormonal imbalance?
Most companies that offer hormone test kits have several options. If you suspect a specific hormone imbalance, like a thyroid issue, you can order a test kit that focuses on those hormones. Otherwise, most companies offer a comprehensive test option that will check the levels of most or all of your major hormone types.
Are tests covered by insurance?
Not all hormone tests are covered by insurance, but many are HSA or FSA eligible.
Think of your hormones as tiny messengers sending vital instructions throughout the body. If your hormones can’t deliver their message, your body functions can weaken.
At-home hormone tests can pinpoint which of your hormones might be negatively affecting your body, so your doctor can provide a treatment plan to help regulate your system.
While at-home hormone tests are growing in popularity, they might not be as reliable as a lab-collected test. Regardless, at-home hormone tests are a great starting point to get the health information you need.
Jillian Goltzman is a freelance journalist covering culture, social impact, wellness, and lifestyle. She’s been published in various outlets, including Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and Fodor’s Travel Guide. Outside of writing, Jillian is a public speaker who loves discussing the power of social media — something she spends too much time on. She enjoys reading, her houseplants, and cuddling with her corgi. Find her work on her website, blog, Twitter, and Instagram.
