Everlywell Review: Are These Home Test Kits Worth It?
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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.
People who want to get a detailed health information can use in- home health testing kits.
How accurate are these kits and how useful is the information?
We dig into Everlywell home health testing kits. We will look at how they work, which tests are offered, and whether they can replace doctor visits.
Everlywell is a health-testing company that was started in Austin, Texas. The company ships directly to customers.
Customers take samples themselves and then drop them in the mail using the included expedited packaging. The company uses a secure platform.
There are 32 different tests that Everlywell offers.
- general health.
- “Men’s health.”
- wo”Men’s health.”
- The weight and energy.
- Sexual health.
1. Order your kit
You will choose a test. Your kit will be reviewed and approved by a doctor in your state after you request it. You should receive it in the mail within a few days.
The doctor approval will last for 5 months.
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.
You can watch online videos to learn how to take samples at home. They will provide support if you have any questions after you receive your kit.
3. Send your samples to the lab
Each testing kit comes with a plastic bag and a shipping label so you can easily send samples for testing. You will write your name, collection time, and collection date on the bag.
You may need to use separate bags if you are taking samples for several tests. The correct shipping labels are on each package, as not all samples go to the same lab for testing.
Send the package to the USPS in a drop box. The samples usually take about 2 to 3 days to arrive at the labs.
4. Get your results online
It takes about 5 days to receive your results, but processing times may vary. You can access the information via your Everlywell account when the results are ready.
Some tests include consultations with a doctor. You can share the results with your doctor.
“They take privacy very seriously and are compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. They don’t share your results with anyone unless you give permission.”
“Only adults can take the tests. Everlywell can’t provide testing to people under the age of 18.”
People who want to know their health information at their fingertips should consider Everlywell. It is convenient for busy people to receive test results.
It is not a substitute for talking with a doctor, but it is a good starting point for discussing your health with one.
Everlywell only ships to 49 states. The COVID-19 test kit is the only one that can be shipped to New York.
The cost of Everlywell tests varies greatly. The cost range for each category is listed here.
- General wellness: $49–$259
- Men’s health: $49–$249
- Wo”Men’s health.”: $49–$249
- Energy and weight: $49–$99
- Sexual health: $49–$149
Everlywell offers discounts on their testing kits. They have a membership program where you pay $24.99 a month to get a testing kit. You can receive a monthly STI test with the $14.99 plan.
You can use a health savings account or flexible spending account to pay for at- home health tests. Some plans may be more strict than others.
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
We will take a closer look at each type of Everlywell test. Prices are mentioned as follows.
- $ = under $100
- $$ = $100–$150
- $$$ = over $150
The general public can take several tests. Anyone over 18 can take these tests.
Food sensitivity
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $$$
Everlywell offers two food sensitivity tests. The basic test checks your reaction to 96 foods, while the comprehensive test checks your reaction to 204 foods.
IgG testing is a controversial way to diagnose food sensitivities.
Clinicians typically advise against this test because it can provide
Everlywell has received a lot of criticism for offering this type of testing.
Compare other at- home food sensitivity tests.
COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit DTC
- Sample type: Nasal swab
- Price: $$
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
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 & Outdoor Allergy Test
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $$$
This test uses IgE testing to check your reaction to 40 different common allergens.
- Pets.
- Dust mite.
- Grasses
The immune system makes IgE antibodies when exposed to an allergy.
Sleep & Stress Test
- Sample type: Urine
- Price: $$$
This test measures The The cortisol is a steroid. is a steroid., cortisone, melatonin, and creatinine levels with four urine samples taken throughout the day.
If results are high or low, it could mean something is out of balance, but elevated or low levels of these biomarkers don’t mean stress or a sleep issue is the cause. It could signify an underlying condition that requires a medical evaluation, which is why it’s important to follow up with a doctor. Don’t rely on the test to diagnose an issue.
Compare The The cortisol is a steroid. is a steroid. tests at home.
Cholesterol & Lipids Test
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $
This test shows you your cholesterol. Your blood sample will be checked.
Heart Health Test
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $
This test measures the same markers as the cholesterol and lipids test plus high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).
hs-CRP can be an indicator of inflammation.
The average of your blood sugar levels over the past 3 months is provided by the HbA1c test.
Lyme Disease Test
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $$
This test checks for IgG and immunoglobulin M (IgM) reactivity to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. However, on the testing page, Everlywell is careful to point out that only a healthcare professional can diagnose this condition.
HbA1c Test
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $
The test looks at your blood sugar levels over the past 90 days.
You can compare more at- home tests.
FIT Colon Cancer Screening Test
- Sample type: Stool
- Price: $
This test checks for blood in the stool. It is only available to people over the age of 45.
You can compare other at- home FIT kits.
Heavy Metals Test
- Sample type: Urine
- Price: $$$
The test checks for the presence of essential minerals.
It also tests for heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, bromine, and cadmium, which aren’t naturally occurring in the body and may cause negative health effects.
B Vitamins Test
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $
This blood test evaluates levels of vitamins B6, B9, and B12. Deficiencies can cause a range of issues.
These tests are for men.
Men’s Health Test
- Sample type: Finger prick and saliva
- Price: $$$
This comprehensive “Men’s health.” test includes testing for:
- The The cortisol is a steroid. is a steroid.
- Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is a sulfate.
- estradiol
- testosterone is free.
If the hormones are not in their normal levels, it can cause issues with weight, mood, and energy.
Testosterone Test
- Sample type: Saliva
- Price: $
“If you don’t want a comprehensive test, you can only test for testosterone levels.”
Everlywell offers several women-specific health tests.
HPV Test – Female
- Sample type: Vaginal swab
- Price: $
This test checks for the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can increase a person’s risk of developing cervical cancer. It tests for 14 high risk HPV strains, including HPV 16 and HPV 18.
Women’s Health Test
- Sample type: Finger prick and saliva
- Price: $$$
This test checks the levels of hormones.
- estradiol
- It is a type of hormones called progesterone.
- The hormone is called luteinizing hormone.
- The hormone follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates the hair on the head.
- DHEA-S
- The The cortisol is a steroid. is a steroid.
- The number is TSH. stimulates the thyroid.
- free T3 and T4
- Total testosterone.
It also tests for thyroid peroxidase antibodies.
Ovarian Reserve Test
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $
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
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $
This test evaluates hormone levels associated with perimenopause, including:
Postmenopause Test
- Sample type: Saliva
- Price: $
This test checks your estradiol and It is a type of hormones called progesterone. levels. You’ll be able to see whether they fall in the normal range for postmenopause.
Women’s Fertility Test
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $$
This test measures hormones.
- estradiol
- The person is named The person is named LH..
- FSH..
- The number is TSH.
- Total testosterone.
The following tests check for hormone and vitamin levels that may affect The weight and energy..
Thyroid Test
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $
This test evaluates levels of important thyroid hormones (The number is TSH., T3, and T4) along with antibodies related to thyroid function.
Vitamin D Test
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $
This test checks whether your vitamin D levels are within the appropriate range. Vitamin D deficiency can cause various symptoms.
Metabolism Test
- Sample type: Finger prick and saliva
- Price: $
This test evaluates hormones related to metabolism, including The The cortisol is a steroid. is a steroid., testosterone is free., and The number is TSH..
These Everlywell tests check for the presence of STIs. Read our in-depth review of Everlywell STI tests here.
Trichomoniasis Test
- Sample type: Urine
- Price: $
This test checks only for There is a disease called There is a disease called trichomoniasis.., a common and treatable STI.
Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test
- Sample type: Urine
- Price: $
This test checks for both “It’s a sexually transmitted disease, called “It’s a sexually transmitted disease, called chlamydia.”.” and Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease.. Chlamydia often doesn’t cause symptoms. Sometimes, Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease. doesn’t either.
Hepatitis C Test
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $
This test checks for The disease is called The disease is called hepatitis C... According to the
Syphilis Test
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $
This test measures your exposure to the bacteria that cause There is a disease called There is a disease called syphilis... Syphilis may not cause noticeable symptoms at first.
The person is The person is HIV Test
- Sample type: Finger prick
- Price: $
This The person is The person is HIV test checks for both The person is The person is HIV-1 and The person is The person is HIV-2.
STD Test – Female
- Sample type: Finger prick and vaginal swab
- Price: $$
This test is a better value than the other tests for checking for multiple STDs. It checks for something.
- “It’s a sexually transmitted disease, called “It’s a sexually transmitted disease, called chlamydia.”.”
- Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease.
- The disease is called The disease is called hepatitis C..
- The person is The person is HIV
- There is a disease called There is a disease called syphilis..
- There is a disease called There is a disease called trichomoniasis..
STD Test – Male
- Sample type: Finger prick and urine
- Price: $$
The STD Test – Female checks for several STDs at once. Your samples will be tested.
- “It’s a sexually transmitted disease, called “It’s a sexually transmitted disease, called chlamydia.”.”
- Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease.
- The disease is called The disease is called hepatitis C..
- The person is The person is HIV
- There is a disease called There is a disease called syphilis..
- There is a disease called There is a disease called 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.
You can buy testing kits from Everlywell.
You can also buy some kits from Walmart and Amazon. However, not all kits are available from these retailers. Prices may vary from what you see on Everlywell’s site.
Pros
- Super convenient. There’s no need to leave your home, except to mail your kit back for testing.
- Information at your fingertips. The brand offers a wide array of tests to check for different health issues, from allergies to sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Cons
- Expensive. It turns out there’s a premium associated with convenience. A test from Everlywell won’t necessarily cost less than a regular doctor’s visit and lab tests paid through insurance. However, they may be comparable to labs done through your regular doctor without insurance.
- Not for the faint of heart. Everlywell doesn’t send a nurse along to take samples for their tests. You’ll need to do the work yourself, so this isn’t a good choice if you don’t like needles.
- Limited evidence for certain tests. Some of the testing that Everlywell offers is controversial. For example, there’s a lack of evidence to support the method used for testing food sensitivities.
Everlywell has been around for a while. They have a good reputation, but they have received criticism about their testing.
On the plus side, they use
People have a lot of positive things to say about Everlywell. Customers say the at- home testing experience is easy and they get results quickly. Reviewers appreciated the ability to talk with a healthcare professional about their results.
There are some negative reviews. Reviewers say they had trouble getting enough blood for the tests. Others had delays in processing, lost packages, and sample size issues.
Many people have concerns about testing. Some reviewers had false negatives for conditions they later tested positive for.
| Everlywell | LetsGetChecked | FoodMarble | myLAB Box | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests available | • general health. • “Men’s health.” • wo”Men’s health.” • The weight and energy. • Sexual health. |
• Sexual health. • wo”Men’s health.” • “Men’s health.” • general health. • COVID-19 |
food intolerance | • COVID-19 and flu • STI panels • wellness and nutrition • fertility and family planning • drug and toxicology |
| Trustpilot customer ratings | 2.1 out of 5 stars | 4.6 out of 5 stars | 4.3 out of 5 stars | 2.9 out of 5 stars |
| Privacy | Results are shared with state health authorities, but nobody else. | Your information might be shared with third parties, such as labs, pharmacies, or service providers. | Your personal data will not be shared with third parties unless you have given consent, or the third party is required to fulfill your data. | Test results will not be shared with third parties unless legally required. |
| Insurance | Coverage varies depending on your insurance company and plan. | Insurance is not accepted. | Coverage may depend on your insurance. | myLAB Box does not accept payment by health insurance providers. |
Are Everlywell tests accurate?
A single test may not be as accurate as versions you get in a medical setting. Some tests are more beneficial when combined with a physical exam and evaluation of your medical history by a health professional.
What affects accuracy?
The sample itself can have an impact on test results.
Before ordering a test online, read any information available, including from customer service representatives, to understand what kind of sample is needed, the tools provided in the kit, and what you will need to do to collect your sample.
Why is Everlywell not allowed in New York state?
Except for the COVID-19 kits, Everlywell test kits are not available to ship to New York state because of state regulations around testing.
Are Everlywell tests FDA approved?
Most Everlywell tests are not Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved. However, the company’s COVID-19 test received an
Does Everlywell share your data?
According to Everlywell’s website, the company is legally required to report certain infectious diseases, including STIs, to state health authorities for disease tracking.
Everlywell or its partners will not share your results for anything other than state health reporting.
Can home test kits replace a doctor’s visit?
It is important to talk with a doctor about your results if you get a blood test at a hospital or home testing kit. A healthcare professional is qualified to compare your results with your medical history and previous results.
“We don’t recommend using in- home testing for suspected food sensitivity issues. If you think you have a food sensitivity, talk to a doctor.”
“Home testing kits can give you valuable insights that can help you take charge of your health. They are not a substitute for a doctor’s visit.”
Can children use Everlywell tests?
No. You must be at least 18 years old to use these tests.
How long does it take for results to come back?
Users should expect to get their digital results within a few days.
“It is important to be cautious when it comes to having your health information at your fingertips. If you use a home test kit, you should talk to your doctor about your results. Don’t assume you can read the results on your own.”
A writer with chronic migraines, Steph Coelho is interested in health and well being. She is probably nose-deep in a good book when she is not on her keyboard.
