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At-home hormone tests can indicate a hormonal imbalance. This article features the best hormone tests for fertility, menopause, and more from brands including Everlywell, LetsGetChecked, and myLAB Box.
A note about sex and gender
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.
- Best fertility test for females: Modern Fertility Hormone Test | Skip to review
- Best comprehensive hormone test for males: LetsGetChecked At-Home Male Hormone Test | Skip to review
- Best basic hormone test for females: LetsGetChecked Female Hormone Test | Skip to review
- Best comprehensive hormone test for females: Everlywell At-Home Women’s Health Test | Skip to review
- Best for menopause test: myLAB Box At-Home Postmenopause Test | Skip to review
- Best general hormone test: Walk-In Lab Female and Male Saliva Profile I – ZRT | Skip to review
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 six of the best testing kits on the market.
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.
Medical News Today chooses at-home tests that meet the following criteria:
- Laboratories: Where possible, MNT will select 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.
The table below compares each hormone test in this article for the price, hormones tested, and more.
| Cost | Hormones tested | Subscription available | Sample type | Results time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Fertility | $179 for a one-time purchase | • anti-Müllerian hormone • TSH • FSH • estradiol • free thyroxine • prolactin • LH | no | blood | 3 days |
| LetsGet Checked Male | $179 for a one-time test $125.30–$152.15 subscription | • testosterone • estradiol • prolactin • sex-hormone binding globulin • free androgen index | yes | blood | 2–5 days |
| LetsGet Checked Female | $139 for a one-time purchase $97.30–$118.15 subscription | • estradiol • prolactin • FSH • LH | yes | blood | 2–5 days |
| Everlywell Women’s | $249 for a one-time purchase $186–$211 subscription | • estradiol • progesterone • LH • FSH • DHEA-S • cortisol • TSH • free T3 • free T4 • free testosterone • thyroid • peroxidase • antibodies | yes | saliva | 2–5 days |
| myLAB Box | $99 for a one-time purchase $89.10 for tests twice a year | • progesterone • estradiol | yes | saliva | 2–5 days |
| Walk-In Lab | $175 | • estradiol • testosterone • progesterone • DHEA-S • morning cortisol | no | saliva | 7–10 days |
The nervous system and the
Hormones affect:
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
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.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the majority of at-home tests. It
Results from at-home tests can vary. These products may not test as widely as tests from the doctor’s office, and several factors can influence their accuracy, including that:
- there is more room for user error during sample collection
- samples are at risk of contamination or damage during shipping
- some companies may not use CLIA-accredited labs to analyze samples
Getting tested at a doctor’s office will ensure a person has help understanding their results. A doctor will also be able to inform a person of the best steps to take next.
People should always speak with a doctor if they are concerned about their health and not make health decisions based on at-home test results without first consulting a healthcare professional.
Below, we explore these hormones’ roles and why people monitor their levels.
Cortisol
Commonly known as the stress hormone, the adrenal glands produce cortisol.
Checking cortisol levels
Estrogens
Estrogens are crucial for the
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
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) belong to a class of hormones called gonadotropins. They help
Melatonin
Melatonin
Progesterone
Testing levels of progesterone can
Testosterone
Checking testosterone levels can help a doctor
Thyroid-stimulating hormone
The pituitary gland secretes thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Checking TSH levels can
T3 and T4
Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) are the
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.
The symptoms of a hormonal imbalance will differ depending on which hormone is affected and whether a person has too much or too little of a certain hormone.
People with a hormonal imbalance may experience:
- weight gain
- sudden weight loss
- fatigue
- mood changes
- increased thirst or hunger
- changes in sex drive
- menstrual changes
However, symptoms can vary widely, and the list above is not exhaustive.
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.
Depending on the test a person chooses, it will screen for more or fewer hormones. While tests that check more hormone levels are more expensive than basic tests, people may find they receive a more thorough overview of their hormone health.
It is possible to check 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.
Many companies work 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.
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 the 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.
A hormone imbalance occurs when a person has too much or too little hormones in their bodies. While symptoms vary depending on which hormone is out of balance, common signs include acne, weight changes, and a lower sex drive.
Learn more about the common signs of hormone imbalances.
The FDA states that at-home tests can be cost-effective, quick, and confidential. However, they may not test as widely or be as accurate as tests available from a doctor’s office. People looking for a test to monitor their hormone levels in conjunction with regular care from a doctor may find these tests worth it. However, getting tested at a doctor’s office will ensure a person gets the insight, support, and testing panels they need for their particular situation.
People can use at-home tests to check their hormones at home. Typically, people must provide a blood or saliva sample to use the test. However, they should speak with a doctor to discuss any concerns they have about their hormones.
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 noting that these tests alone cannot diagnose a health issue. Anyone with concerns can contact a healthcare professional.