About At-Home Blood Tests
Purpose of at-home blood tests
The purpose of at-home blood testing is to check for many common conditions, such as diabetes, viral and bacterial infections, anemia, and some types of cancer. These tests can help you and your medical provider monitor your overall health, as blood tests are widely used as part of an overall preventative health screening strategy.
What do the tests measure?
At-home blood tests can be used for a variety of reasons. For example, you can do a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test, or you might want to do a broad-spectrum blood test that’s geared towards men and includes total testosterone, vitamin D, and cholesterol. Other examples of blood tests include Hemoglobin A1C ZRT, a rheumatoid arthritis test, or blood tests that check various biomarkers linked to cardiovascular health.
How do at-home blood tests work?
If you’ve ever seen someone with diabetes do a fingerprick to check their blood sugar, then you have a good idea of how at-home blood tests work. Many types of blood tests only require a couple of drops of blood, making it possible to collect your own samples at home.
When you order an at-home blood test, you’ll usually be sent a kit that contains everything you need to get your blood sample, and to ship back your specimen so that it remains safe and sterile. You’ll get a lancet to take the blood, and some sort of strip or small container to collect the blood drops.
All blood tests might have different specifications or directions, so be sure to follow instructions carefully. For example, you may have to fast for some, or send back the sample ASAP.
Once the provider receives your sample, your blood will be tested and you’ll receive some type of report either online, via app, or in the mail.
Which at-home blood test should you choose?
The blood tests we selected are just as effective as the tests you’d do in-person at a medical clinic, lab or hospital. All these home test kits come complete with everything you need, including a comprehensive step-by-step guide to ensure your sample is collected correctly.
As long as you follow the instructions that come with your kit, you can expect the same results you’d get if you did the same test in a traditional setting since these tests are processed in CLIA-certified medical labs.
Benefits and Downsides of At-Home Blood Tests
At-home blood testing is different from being tested for by a medical professional. Benefits of at-home testing include:
- Convenient: At-home blood testing eliminates all those office and lab visits,
- User-friendly: Test kits are designed to simplify the testing process, often providing detailed instructions and pre-paid labels to mail samples to a laboratory. giving you the ability to order your own tests, with results delivered to you in as little as a few days.
- Upfront pricing: Testing companies often provide clear pricing for at-home blood tests. There are usually no unexpected fees for at-home tests.
Downsides of at-home testing include:
- User error: You could also contaminate the sample if you don’t follow the directions exactly. Or, if you have calloused fingers, it could impact your ability to get a sample.
- Testing options may be limited: Not all blood tests work with just a fingerprick amount of blood.
- Not good for kids: Many at-home blood tests are for adults only.
The Best At-Home Blood Tests
To compile our list of the best at-home blood tests, we carefully researched dozens of companies and tests to find the best combination of cost, turn-around time, and ease of use.
Methodology
At-home blood tests were reviewed based on value, convenience, and availability of tests. We also considered the services available, certifications and lab safety, and professional support. These overall factors are based on data including price, insurance acceptance, comprehensiveness of tests, and how quickly you can get results and speak to a doctor. Blood test selections have been screened by Testing.com’s Medical Review Board.
Best Overall At-Home Blood Test
Let’s Get Checked
Price: $89 to $249
Type: Self-collection
Sample: Blood
Tests for: Hormone levels, STDs, general wellness
Results timeline: Within 2 to 5 days of sample receipt
Let’s Get Checked offers a wide range of at-home tests, many of which collect blood samples via the finger prick method. Blood tests for men include three sets of male hormone tests and a testosterone test. Women can order blood tests for female hormone, polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian reserve, and progesterone.
The company’s STD blood tests include a “simple 2” test for chlamydia and gonorrhea, a “standard 5” that adds HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis, and a “complete 8” that adds gardnerella, mycoplasma, and ureaplasma. Let’s Get Checked also provides blood tests for the following:
- Cortisol
- High-sensitivity C-reactive protein
- Diabetes
- Diabetes and heart
- Kidney
- Essential vitamin
- Lyme disease
- Cholesterol
- Micronutrient
- Thyroid
- Thyroid antibody
Costs range from $89 to $249. Subscribers save 30% on their up-front costs. You should receive results within five business days. Some tests also include follow-up consultations with healthcare providers. All tests are backed by state-of-the-art encryption software to ensure privacy and confidentiality. You can use an FSA or HSA to purchase the tests, but health insurance is not accepted as a form of payment.
Best for STD Testing
myLAB Box
Price: $79 to $399
Type: Self-collection
Sample: Blood, urine, or vaginal swab
Tests for: Sexually transmitted diseases, cervical cancer, urinary tract infection, abnormal vaginal discharge
Results timeline: Within 3 to 5 days of sample receipt
myLAB Box is a leading provider of blood tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). A standard five-panel test checks for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and HIV I and II. You can upgrade to an eight-panel test that checks for these five diseases as well as hepatitis C, herpes simplex 2, and syphilis. The full 14-panel test adds throat and rectal gonorrhea and chlamydia, mycoplasma genitalium, and HPV for women 30 and older.
Tests for all of these STDs can be ordered individually. You can also request tests for abnormal vaginal discharge, cervical cancer, and urinary tract infection. Those planning to protect themselves from HIV may order a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) kit. Additionally, the “Boomer Box” is a test kit specifically intended for people of older generations.
All samples are sent to CAP- and CLIA-certified labs. If you test positive, you can arrange for a prescription at your local pharmacy. Your results are not reported to your insurance company.
Subscribers receive a discount on their purchase. Shipping is free for customers in the United States. Expedited and overnight shipping is available for an additional charge. myLAB Box takes measures to ensure your shipment is discreet and does not display any information that compromises your privacy or confidentiality.
Interpreting At-Home Test Results
Generally, results from at-home blood testing show various levels. Because the blood comes from blood vessels in your extremities, the tests are not invasive, but still adequate for getting usable blood samples.
Labs then process the samples and offer a detailed report to help you decide if follow up is needed with a physician.
Talking to your doctor is the best way to understand what a blood test result means for your health. Important considerations related to the results of at-home blood testing include:
- Some tests require follow-up: If your levels are outside of the normal range, at-home tests may require follow-up with a medical professional.
- Instructions need to be followed to the letter: Every blood test is different, so pay attention to if you need to fast, how to store your sample and how quickly it must be sent back.
- Testing may cause anxiety: Getting the results of at-home blood testing can cause anxiety. Consider reaching out to your doctor, a mental health professional, or a support organization to get support for the emotional impacts of testing.
