Everlywell Review: Are These Home Test Kits Worth It?
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- general wellness tests
- men’s health tests
- women’s health tests
- energy and weight tests
- sexual health tests
Whether you’re dealing with chronic allergies or just curious about your body’s inner workings, it’s common to want to know everything you can about your health.
In-home health testing kits offer a convenient alternative to in-person tests for people who want easy to access, detailed health information.
Administrative costs currently make up a major chunk of healthcare spending, especially in America. In fact, healthcare administrative spending accounts for 8% of the GDP in the U.S., or more than $1.485 trillion if looking at 2016 data. The cost of healthcare administration in other nations is just 3% of the GPD, on average, according to healthcare revenue news source RevCycleIntelligence.
But how accurate are these types of kits and is the information provided useful?
Below, we dig into Everlywell home health testing kits. We’ll take a look at how they work, which tests are offered, and whether these tests can take the place of regular doctor visits.
Everlywell is a health-testing company based in Austin, Texas, that was started in 2015. The company ships in-home testing kits directly to customers.
Customers take samples themselves using the provided materials and drop them in the mail using included prepaid expedited packaging. The company delivers results quickly using a secure platform.
Everlywell offers 32 different tests, including those for:
- general wellness
- men’s health
- women’s health
- energy and weight
- sexual health
1. Order your kit
First, you’ll choose a test. After you request your kit, your order will be reviewed and approved by a board certified doctor in your state. You should receive it in the mail within 5 to 10 business days.
You’ll have 5 months to use the kit before the doctor approval expires.
2. Take your samples
The kit will come with detailed directions and all the equipment you need to take samples at home. Depending on the test, you may need to take a blood, stool, saliva, or urine sample.
Everlywell has several online videos to show you how to take samples correctly at home. They also provide support if you have any questions or concerns after you receive your kit.
3. Send your samples to the lab
Each testing kit comes with a plastic biohazard bag and a prepaid shipping label so you can easily send your samples in for testing. You’ll write your name, collection time, and collection date on the bag.
If you’re taking samples for several tests, you may need to use separate bags. Check that the correct shipping labels are on each package, as not all samples go to the same lab for testing.
Put the package(s) in a USPS drop box to send the samples off for testing. Everlywell says the samples usually take about 2 to 3 days to arrive at labs.
4. Get your results online
It takes about 5 business days to receive your results, but processing times may vary, and some tests may take longer. You’ll get an email when the results are ready, and you can access the information via your Everlywell account.
Some tests come with included telehealth consultations with a doctor. You can also share results with your doctor.
Everlywell states that they are Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) compliant and takes privacy very seriously. They don’t share your results with anyone unless you provide authorization.
Tests are only for adults. Everlywell is not able to provide testing to anyone under the age of 18.
Everlywell is a good option for people who want personal health information at their fingertips. It’s a convenient way for busy people to receive discreet test results.
While it’s not a substitute for talking with a doctor, it can be a good starting point for discussing your overall health with one.
Currently, Everlywell only ships to 49 U.S. states. Test kits aren’t available to ship to New York, except for the COVID-19 test kit.
The cost of Everlywell tests varies considerably. Here’s a quick rundown of the cost range for each category:
Everlywell sometimes offers discounts on their testing kits. They also have a membership program where you pay $24.99 a month to get a testing kit every month. The $14.99 plan allows you to receive a monthly STI test of your choice.
You can also use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for at-home health tests from Everlywell. Some plans may be stricter than others about what they allow, though.
Many health insurance companies won’t cover this type of in-home testing, including Medicare and Medicaid plans. Some insurance companies may only cover certain types of testing offered by Everlywell.
Pricing guide
Below, we’ll take a closer look at each type of Everlywell test. Prices are referenced as follows:
Everlywell offers several tests geared toward the general public. These tests can be taken by anyone over 18.
Food allergy test vs. Food sensitivity test
Everlywell offers a food sensitivity test, which measures IgG levels, and a food allergy test, which measures IgE antibodies. Our medical team recommends the food allergy test.
Clinicians typically advise against immunoglobulin G (IgG) testing because it can provide inaccurate and misleading information, causing people to cut out nutritious foods from their diet. There’s limited evidence supporting the accuracy of IgG testing to check for food sensitivities.
As a result, Everlywell has received a lot of criticism, especially from immunologists, for offering this type of testing.
On the other hand, testing for antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE), which your body produces when it experiences an allergic reaction, is an accurate way to help detect food allergies. To fully properly identify food allergies, doctors typically have patients complete a food challenge, skin test, and food-specific IgE antibody test.
COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit DTC
This nasal swab test checks for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease known as COVID-19. The test has received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) .
You’ll have to pay for the test up front. However, if you have insurance, you should be able to submit a receipt for reimbursement.
Indoor and Outdoor Allergy Test
This test uses immunoglobulin E (IgE) testing to check your reaction to 40 different common allergens, including:
The immune system produces IgE antibodies when exposed to an allergen.
Cholesterol and Lipids Test
This test provides an overview of your cholesterol. Your blood sample will be checked for:
- total cholesterol
- HDL (good) cholesterol
- LDL (bad) cholesterol
- triglyceride levels
Heart Health Test
This test measures the same markers as the cholesterol and lipids test plus high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).
High levels of hs-CRP can be an indicator of inflammation in your body.
The HbA1c test provides an average of your blood sugar levels over the past 3 months.
Lyme Disease Test
This test checks for IgG and immunoglobulin M (IgM) reactivity to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. However, on the testing page, Everlywell is careful to point out that only a healthcare professional can diagnose this condition.
HbA1c Test
This blood test evaluates your blood sugar levels over the past 90 days.
FIT Colon Cancer Screening Test
This noninvasive test checks for blood in your stool. It’s only available for people over the age of 45.
B Vitamins Test
This blood test evaluates levels of vitamins B6, B9, and B12. Deficiencies can cause a range of issues.
These tests are geared specifically toward men.
Men’s Health Test
This comprehensive men’s health test includes testing for:
- cortisol
- dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S)
- estradiol
- free testosterone
If levels of these four hormones are off, it may cause issues with muscle mass, weight, mood, and energy.
Testosterone Test
If you don’t want a comprehensive test, you can choose to test only for testosterone levels.
Everlywell offers several women-specific health tests.
HPV Test – Female
This test checks for the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can increase a person’s risk of developing cervical cancer. It tests for 14 high risk HPV strains, including HPV 16 and HPV 18.
Women’s Health Test
This test checks levels for 10 different hormones:
- estradiol
- progesterone
- luteinizing hormone (LH)
- follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- DHEA-S
- cortisol
- thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- free T3 and T4
- total testosterone
Austra Health editor Christy Snyder took this at-home test. She notes that the instructions are very clear, but a bit complex. Test takers have to do blood test #1 on day 3-4 of your period, and then blood test #2 on day 19-21 of your cycle, and also the 4 saliva samples that same day. So it takes about a month to get the entire process done at home before you send it out to the lab. I also had trouble getting the amount of blood needed from my fingers. Personally, I prefer having my blood drawn at a lab by a professional. This test may be a good fit for someone who wants to pay out of pocket for women’s health testing.
Ovarian Reserve Test
This test can be used to check how many eggs you have. You’ll be able to compare that number with the expected amount for your age.
Perimenopause Test
This test evaluates hormone levels associated with perimenopause, including:
Postmenopause Test
This test checks your estradiol and progesterone levels. You’ll be able to see whether they fall in the normal range for postmenopause.
Women’s Fertility Test
This test measures hormones related to ovulation:
The following tests check for hormone and vitamin levels that may affect energy and weight.
Thyroid Test
This test evaluates levels of important thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, and T4) along with antibodies related to thyroid function.
Vitamin D Test
This test checks whether your vitamin D levels are within the appropriate range. Vitamin D deficiency can cause various symptoms.
Metabolism Test
This test evaluates hormones related to metabolism, including cortisol, free testosterone, and TSH.
These Everlywell tests check for the presence of STIs. Read our in-depth review of Everlywell STI tests here.
Trichomoniasis Test
This test checks only for trichomoniasis, a common and treatable STI.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test
This test checks for both chlamydia and gonorrhea. Chlamydia often doesn’t cause symptoms. Sometimes, gonorrhea doesn’t either.
Hepatitis C Test
This test checks for hepatitis C. According to the World Health Organization , people with new hepatitis C infections typically don’t have symptoms.
Syphilis Test
This test measures your exposure to the bacteria that cause syphilis. Syphilis may not cause noticeable symptoms at first.
HIV Test
This HIV test checks for both HIV-1 and HIV-2.
STD Test – Female
- Sample type: Finger prick and vaginal swab
- Price: $$
If you want to check for several STIs, this test is a better value than doing the other tests individually. It checks for:
- chlamydia
- gonorrhea
- hepatitis C
- HIV
- syphilis
- trichomoniasis
STD Test – Male
Similar to the STD Test – Female, this test checks for several STIs at once. Your samples will be tested for:
- chlamydia
- gonorrhea
- hepatitis C
- HIV
- syphilis
- trichomoniasis
Interested in other options for at-home testing?
Our reviews and brand comparisons cover top at-home testing kits, so you can feel confident in your decision to manage your health from home.
