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At-home hormone tests are becoming increasingly popular because of their relative privacy and comfort. Taking a test typically involves mailing a blood, urine, or saliva sample to a lab.
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Hormones play an essential role in many aspects of health, from growth and metabolism to cardiovascular health and mood. Some changes in hormone levels are typical, while others can indicate an irregularity. A person may monitor their levels at home for a range of reasons.
This article explores how the tests work and which hormones people tend to monitor. It also describes seven of the best testing kits on the market.
MNT chooses at-home tests that meet the following criteria:
Laboratories: Where possible, MNT will choose companies that process test samples in CLIA-certified labs. This means they follow state and federal regulations.
Budget: MNT chooses at-home tests that suit a wide range of budgets.
Privacy: MNT includes companies that offer robust and transparent privacy measures, such as data protection and discreet packaging.
Test result speed: MNT selects companies that inform customers when they will receive their test results and whether they will receive them via email, app, or phone.
Further support: MNT will indicate whether a company offers further support, such as a follow-up phone consultation with a doctor to discuss test results.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
The nervous system and the endocrine system regulate the body. The nervous system uses nerves to send signals, and the endocrine regulates the body’s functions through chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream. These messengers are hormones.
Hormonal imbalances can cause various symptoms, depending on the specific hormones involved and their levels.
Anyone who suspects their symptoms result from an imbalance should contact a doctor. If they diagnose a health issue related to hormones, a person might also consider testing their hormone levels at home for greater clarity.
Some people require continued monitoring and may prefer the comfort and convenience of at-home tests. For example, this may be true for pregnant people or those with weakened immune systems.
Also, some hormone levels decrease with age, and older adults who regularly check their levels may find it more convenient to test from home.
Once a person makes a purchase, the company ships their testing kit.
Test activation
When a person receives their kit, the first step is registering it online using the code the company provides. This ensures that the results go to the person’s online account.
Sample collection
The next step is to collect a blood, saliva, or urine sample using the materials in the kit. The manufacturers should include clear instructions, and most companies offer phone or video assistance.
After collecting the sample, the person ships it back to the company or a designated lab. Most companies provide prepaid shipping labels in their testing kits.
Results
Once the company receives the sample, it sends a confirmation of receipt. It then usually sends the sample to a partner lab for processing. This usually takes 3–5 business days.
When the results are ready, the person receives a notification and can access the results online. A nurse or doctor from the company’s medical team may then contact the person to explain the results, offer advice, and send out a prescription, if necessary.
Estrogens are crucial for the development and function of the reproductive organs. In females, they also support the development of what doctors call “secondary sex characteristics,” such as breasts.
One type of estrogen is called estradiol, or E2, and the testicles and ovaries primarily produce it. In females, checking E2 levels can help doctors identify and explain early- or late-onset puberty. In males, testing these levels can help doctors understand the cause of delayed puberty.
Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone
Melatoninregulates the sleep cycle. A doctor may order a test to assess melatonin secretion patterns and the pineal gland’s function.
Progesterone
Testing levels of progesterone can help detectovulation and pregnancy. These tests also help doctors monitor high risk pregnancies and diagnose ectopic pregnancies.
Checking levels of T4 and TSH can give a doctor a good idea of the thyroid’s function. T3 levels help doctors diagnose hyperthyroidism and its severity.
At-home testing cannot replace in-person medical care. At-home test results are insufficient to diagnose a health condition, and people should not change their diet, stop or start medication, or make large lifestyle changes based on the results of an at-home test.
A person should always discuss their at-home test results with a doctor before making these changes.
Below, we answer some common questions about at-home hormone tests.
Can you check hormone levels without a blood test?
Some hormone tests require a person to provide a saliva or urine test.
How accurate is the Everlywell hormone test?
Everlywell works with CLIA-certified and some CAP-accredited laboratories to analyze people’s hormone test samples, meaning the labs comply with federal and state regulations and go through regular checks on their tests’ accuracy. The brand also states it validates its tests against doctor’s office and clinic tests.
However, at-home tests may not be as accurate as those a person can get in a doctor’s office. This may be due to a higher margin for error when people take their own samples and risk of damage during shipments.
The FDA states that people should always discuss their at-home test results with a doctor who can interpret them based on the person’s medical history, physical exams, and other test results.
How can I check my hormone levels at home?
People can buy at-home hormone test kits from companies such as LetsGetChecked and Everlywell. Although these tests can inform a person about various hormone levels, buyers should not change their diet, medication, or lifestyle based on the results without first discussing them with a doctor.
Does insurance cover the costs of at-home tests?
Most testing companies do not accept direct billing from health insurance providers.
Before buying a test, it may be a good idea to check whether the insurance company will reimburse the cost. If so, a person can forward an invoice from the lab to their insurer with their claim for reimbursement.
Some companies may also accept payments from flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts.
How much does it cost to get your hormones tested?
The cost of hormone tests depends on which tests a person chooses and which samples they require. An at-home test may be cheaper than an in-person test.
However, insurance is unlikely to cover at-home tests. The test kits in this article range from $129–$319.
Hormones play an essential role in a person’s health and well-being. At-home tests can be a straightforward and convenient way to monitor levels of specific hormones.
While many testing kits are available, it is worth keeping in mind that these tests alone cannot be used to diagnose a health issue. Anyone with concerns should contact a healthcare professional.
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