Everlywell Review: The pros and cons of its tests and services

In the last few years, telehealth and supportive at-home health options have seen a widespread and continuous growth in popularity.1 50 The at-home testing industry, alone, is estimated to be worth a whopping two billion dollars by 2025.2

One of the major players in the at-home testing industry is Everlywell. The company offers competitively-priced tests in a variety of categories, from sexual health to hormones, heart health, and more.

But are Everlywell’s tests the right choice for you? We gathered hands-on experience with a variety of Everlywell’s tests and services. In this review, we detail the entire customer experience — from purchase to receiving your results — so you know what to expect.

Competitive prices, a nice variety of tests, and excellent customer support make Everlywell a great option for most people looking to purchase at-home tests. Its user-friendly results and additional resources can make the process feel much less intimidating. However, people looking for faster results, a wider range of testing options, or service for those under 18 may wish to look elsewhere.

Over the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of readers make more informed decisions to live healthier lives.

For this review, our team spent over 115 collective hours conducting hands-on testing and research of Everlywell’s products and services, including a thorough investigation of its sample collection methods. We ordered test kits for ourselves to evaluate how quick and customer-friendly the entire process is — from finding the right test on the website to reading the results. And, to gain additional insight, our team also reached out to Everlywell’s customer support to learn more about the service as a whole.

Additionally, this review of Everlywell’s tests and other services, like all health-related content on this website, was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy. As at-home testing research evolves, so too will the information on this page.

When evaluating Everlywell, we examined four criteria that we felt impacted opinions of the service the most: test accuracy, cost, speed, and customer support.

Accuracy

When purchasing an at-home test kit, it’s completely natural to wonder if it’s accurate or not. Thankfully, Everlywell (like competitor LetsGetChecked), uses its in-house CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited lab to process your samples. This means the labs demonstrated (and continue to demonstrate) adherence to strict guidelines and regulations.

Also, research indicates that self-collected samples can be just as accurate as those collected by a clinician (as long as directions are properly followed, that is).3

Everlywell also has an entire page on the website dedicated to all of the third-party research it referenced when designing many of its tests — including links to each study.

And, finally, your Everlywell results include an in-depth explanation of the test, the biomarkers tested, what your results mean, and a collection of related resources. LetsGetChecked handles results in a similar manner, but it doesn’t include resources.

Cost

When compared to competitors LetsGetChecked and myLAB Box, Everlywell’s test prices are often lower. For example, all three companies offer a chlamydia and gonorrhea test bundle; the price differences are as follows:

• Everlywell: $69
• LetsGetChecked: $99
• myLAB Box: $79 (or $179 for 3-site version)

These price differences can be found with many of the tests the three companies share — Everlywell is often the least expensive, while LetsGetChecked and myLAB Box are both more expensive. (There are instances, however, where Everlywell is actually the most expensive, such as with each company’s Men’s Health Test.)

Additionally, Everlywell (and its competitors) accepts HSA/FSA for purchasing its tests. And, if you utilize its telehealth service, you can use your insurance for those consultations.

Speed

While it took about a week for our testers to receive their Everlywell test kits (versus two days from myLAB Box), the samples typically only took a couple of days to arrive at the lab, with frequent email updates on the status.

On average, our testers’ Everlywell results took three days to be ready after the sample arrived at the lab. This isn’t nearly the longest we’ve had to wait for results from similar tests — that award actually goes to thyroid-testing company, Paloma Health, with a wait of 16 days. myLAB Box is second to that, however, with a waiting period of 12 days.

The quickest results our testers received were from LetsGetChecked, which were ready within 24 hours of the sample being shipped.

Customer support

Everlywell does very well at providing clear instructions in each test kit. You can also find details on the tests and how to use them in both written and visual content (website tutorials, step-by-step guides, instruction pamphlets in your test kit, and videos). Everlywell’s FAQ section is helpful if you need extra information, and if you still have questions, you can get quick answers via chat or email. The company seems to have recently removed the option to call customer service.

However, the customer support team is quick to respond, professional, and helpful in addressing your specific questions. We also found the representatives compassionate and supportive. Email responses are often within 30 minutes, but it can be a bit of a longer wait during off-hours.

LetsGetChecked has a similarly pleasant customer support experience. Its representatives were knowledgeable enough about the science behind the company’s methods to give us in-depth information on how various tests are performed.

Established in 2014, Everlywell, an Austin-based company, was created with the goal of improving the affordability and accessibility of lab testing. In 2021, this mission expanded to include telehealth services when Everlywell acquired PWNHealth and Home Access Health Corporation to form the parent company Everly Health. But, nonetheless, Everlywell remains most well-known for its at-home test kits.

Everlywell is a good at-home testing option for:

• Those without insurance who are seeking tests for certain conditions.
• People with insurance who have high deductibles, high copays, or other gaps in coverage that make testing particularly expensive.
• Patients who desire anonymity when testing for sensitive reasons (such as STDs or hormonal concerns).
• People who want to skip the wait of getting in to see a doctor and having them order lab testing.

It’s worth mentioning that you need to be 18 or older to utilize any of Everlywell’s services (testing and telehealth). And none of Everlywell’s test kits are available in New York due to state regulations. Competitors LetsGetChecked and myLAB Box have a few tests available to New York residents for certain concerns (like some STD tests), but a majority are also unavailable.

Who should look elsewhere for testing?

While Everlywell offers a nice variety of test kits and other services, there may be a few reasons someone might want to look elsewhere.

• If you’re looking for faster results, our testers received their results from a few different LetsGetChecked tests the next day after shipping their sample.
• For people under 18, myLAB Box states that “customers 14 and older can use the myLAB Box platform without restrictions.”
• For those who are squeamish about blood or would rather not prick their fingers at home, in-lab alternatives like Walk-In Lab, HealthLabs, and STDCheck.com offer a wide range of lab orders you can purchase and take to your local Labcorp or Quest location to have a phlebotomist draw your sample for you.
• If you’re a resident of New York state, then Labcorp OnDemand or Quest’s on-demand lab orders could be a good alternative.

HSA/FSA and insurance

Before considering your HSA/FSA account for an Everlywell purchase, we recommend that you reach out to your benefits coordinator to make sure the tests count as qualifying medical expenses. If they’re covered, then you can either use an HSA/FSA debit card to make the purchase or you can email Everlywell (contact@everlywell.com) to request an itemized receipt once your test is registered. HSA/FSA can also be used on telehealth appointments.

In terms of insurance, Everlywell’s test kits are not covered by any insurance provider, but it does accept insurance from most major providers for its telehealth consultations.

Privacy considerations

Everlywell has numerous security measures in place to protect your privacy and secure information. Bank-grade encryption and security protocols safeguard your health information, and a HIPAA- and HITECH-compliant platform stores all your information securely.

Only you can access your test results, though you can choose to share them with whomever you wish (such as your doctor). Everlywell stores your records permanently, but you can contact its customer service team if you’d like them deleted. The company does incinerate all samples once they’re no longer needed.

Everlywell delivers your test in a discreet plain brown box. The only telling information about what’s inside is that the return address is listed as “Everlywell.”

It’s important to note that, in certain states, mandatory reporting to health departments is in effect for some diseases. For example, if you test positive for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, or hepatitis C, Everlywell is legally required to report the result to state health departments. Health departments collect this data to track the prevalence of new infections for the sake of public health while protecting your anonymity — family members, spouses, or employers cannot access this information. This requirement is the same if you go to your doctor.

Everylwell’s online reputation

Everlywell’s reviews on the Better Business Bureau website and Trustpilot are equally poor. The former sits at 1.38 out of 5 stars, while the latter is currently 1.7 out of 5 stars. The complaints on both sites are mainly from customers dissatisfied with their results or the length of time it takes to receive those results. However, it’s important to point out that there are only 61 reviews on BBB and 46 on Trustpilot, and while every customer’s experience (good or bad) is valid, we don’t feel that 107 reviews are enough to judge a company.

Everlywell made its debut as a company specializing in at-home testing, but, like competitor LetsGetChecked, has since expanded into other areas, such as telehealth consultations and prescription treatments for a wide variety of conditions. The company also has a small selection of vitamins and supplements. Below, we’ll delve into Everlywell’s services and products.

At-home test kits

The main draw of Everlywell is its at-home test kits. Recently, the company has scaled back its available tests, but there’s still a nice variety to choose from that should be able to suit most people’s needs. We’ll cover all of the categories (and the tests within) in each dedicated section further down, but the following list offers a quick breakdown of these categories:

• General Wellness: Includes tests evaluating your thyroid, cholesterol and lipids, HbA1c, colon cancer risk, indoor and outdoor allergies, heart health, or Lyme disease antibodies.
• Nutritional Health: These tests check your food sensitivity, food allergies, metabolism, celiac disease antibodies, or vitamin D.
• Sexual Health: Products in this category screen for STDs (male or female), chlamydia and gonorrhea, HPV (in females), trichomoniasis, HIV, syphilis, or hepatitis C.
• Women’s Health: Tests include options for perimenopause, postmenopause, fertility, or a comprehensive “Women’s Health” option.
• Men’s Health: The two tests in this category include one for total testosterone and a comprehensive “Men’s Health” one.

Note: None of Everlywell’s at-home test kits are available in New York due to state regulations.

Telehealth

Similar to competitor LetsGetChecked, Everylwell has recently added telehealth services for those 18 and older to its lineup. However, unlike a majority of its close competitors, Everylwell accepts most major health insurance for its telehealth (with the exception of Medicare Part B and Medicaid).

If you choose to use Everlywell’s telehealth consultations, your practitioner may provide one-time prescriptions for certain conditions, like UTIs or COVID-19. However, Everlywell notes that it’s “not the best solution” for an already diagnosed condition or one requiring recurring prescriptions that need ongoing management or support. Some examples of these unavailable recurring prescriptions include antidepressants, erectile dysfunction medications, birth control, and those for diabetes or thyroid concerns.

With insurance, the cost for a telehealth appointment ranges from $10 to $50, while the out-of-pocket cost is $59 (or $79 for STI/STD consultations). However, HSA/FSA is accepted. Everlywell also has a $25 cancellation fee if you can’t make your appointment and don’t cancel at least 24 hours before your appointment time.

Here’s a quick list of concerns Everlywell currently treats:

• General wellness: Headaches, fatigue, weight changes, stomach pain, burning when urinating, UTIs, rashes or hives, difficulty sleeping, and changes in hair, skin, or nails.
• Women’s health: Sexual health, guidance for routine screenings, hormonal and period support (hot flashes, night sweats, painful or irregular periods, and other similar symptoms).
• Men’s health: Sexual health, guidance on routine tests and screenings, hormone health (low muscle mass or muscle loss, reduced strength, low libido).
• STIs and STDs: Providers can help you identify potential STDs based on symptoms and will provide recommendations and next steps, including testing or prescriptions, as appropriate.
• UTI: Clinicians can diagnose UTIs and, if applicable, send antibiotics to your pharmacy of choice.
• Thyroid: Everlywell providers can’t diagnose thyroid disorders, but they can offer guidance on the next steps to take based on your symptoms and any available test results.
• COVID-19: Based on your medical history and COVID-19 symptoms, your provider may prescribe you an antiviral medication or recommend seeking in-person care.
• Cold and flu: Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your Everlywell clinician may prescribe an antiviral medication or only provide you with personalized recommendations.

Additionally, Everlywell offers a telehealth-based program called Weight Care+. This is a 3- or 12-month plan ($417 or $1,188, respectively) that includes access to GLP-1 prescriptions (such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Trulicity), quarterly testing kits for related biomarkers, and ongoing clinician support. It’s worth mentioning that the costs of initial in-lab testing (to determine eligibility) and your GLP-1 prescription itself depend on your insurance and are not included in the previously mentioned cost of the program.

Some alternatives to Weight Care+, such as Found and Sequence, are similar in price (or less), but Everlywell is the only option that includes continuous quarterly testing.

Vitamins and supplements

Everlywell currently sells five different vitamins and supplements, all of which are third-party tested and produced in a GMP-compliant facility. The chart below explains the various costs, allergens, servings, and more.

Offering supplements is fairly exclusive to Everlywell when compared to similar at-home testing competitors like myLAB Box and LetsGetChecked. However, many telehealth competitors, like Hims, Hers, and Wisp, do sell supplements.

Getting started with Everlywell is fairly straightforward. The company’s website is laid out in an easy-to-navigate way (especially compared to competitor myLAB Box, which has each test displayed row-by-row, meaning you’ll need to do a lot of scrolling to look through all of the tests).

From the homepage of the Everlywell website, simply click the green “Shop all products” button to navigate to the test kit selection.

Selecting a test kit

On the product page, you can filter your selection by five test kit categories:

• General Wellness
• Nutritional Health
• Sexual Health
• Women’s Health
• Men’s Health

There’s also a section for vitamins and supplements, but we discuss the offerings in that category a little bit above.

Once you find the test you’d like to purchase, you can either add it to your cart and checkout, or (for some test kits) you can subscribe to receive the test monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually. Each frequency comes with a different discount rate:

• Monthly takes 25% off
• Quarterly takes 20% off
• Semi-annual subscriptions take 15% off

These discounts aren’t quite as much as those from LetsGetChecked, which offers discounts of 30%, 20%, and 15% for deliveries every three, six, and 12 months, respectively. The intervals from LetsGetChecked also mean you’ll be receiving the tests less often. However, if you’re testing biomarkers for a condition that requires frequent monitoring, then Everlywell’s monthly intervals may suit your needs better.

Checking out

During checkout, you’ll have the opportunity to add a promo code (such as ours — INNERBODY15 for 15% off) and select your preferred shipping option. Standard shipping (2-8 business days) from Everlywell is always free, but you can upgrade to Express (1-3 business days) for $30 extra. Using the standard option, our testers’ packages arrived in about six days, on average.

After entering your shipping and payment information (Everlywell accepts most major credit cards, as well as HSA/FSA for test kits and telehealth visits), just click “Place Order” and your order will be submitted. Shortly after, you should receive a confirmation email in your inbox with a receipt and order number.

Receiving your test

When your test arrives, you’ll receive another email from Everlywell stating that it’s been successfully delivered. Your test will be packaged discreetly in a plain brown cardboard box, with no branding or identifiers beyond “Everlywell” on the return address.

After unpacking your test, you’re ready to begin the testing process, starting with activation, which we cover in the following section.

In the section below, we’ll break down the entire Everlywell testing process, from test activation to reviewing your results.

Activating your test kit

Before you can collect your sample, you’ll need to activate your test on the Everlywell website to ensure your test is associated with your profile.

After sliding your test kit out of the outer packaging, the green “Register your kit” card will be right on top of the test materials. You can either go to the Everlywell website and click “Register kit” in the top right corner of the homepage and enter your unique kit ID number, or you can scan the QR code on the registration card with your phone.

After registering, we recommend reading through the instructions carefully before moving on to sample collection, just to make sure you’re aware of any particular steps to follow (or things to avoid) that might alter the validity of your results. For example, some tests require a urine sample first thing in the morning, or some may need you to collect your blood sample during a certain time of day.

Collecting your sample

All Everlywell tests require submitting one or more of the following samples: a nasal or vaginal swab, urine sample, blood sample, stool sample, or saliva sample (though, the most common one is a blood sample).

No matter what type of samples you need to provide, however, you’ll find everything you need in your test kit. And depending on the test, the materials may differ from one test to another. For example, the Food Allergy test (contents pictured above) requires five dried blood spots and comes with a card for collecting the sample, while some of Everlywell’s recently updated tests — like its HbA1C test — come with a plastic “cassette” for collecting “wet” blood samples instead. (Both “wet” and dry blood samples maintain similar stability of blood proteins, so the validity of your results shouldn’t be affected by using one of these methods versus another.)4

Everlywell’s collection instructions offer step-by-step guidance for collecting your sample, customized to the type of test you have. For blood tests, the instructions include tips for improving your blood flow by warming your hands under warm water and gently squeezing from your wrist to the puncture site.

If you require a visual aid, Everlywell has a page dedicated to video tutorials that demonstrate the process for each test’s collection process.

Like the lancets from competitor test kits, Everlywell’s are single-use, and the needle retreats fully back into the plastic casing, allowing you to safely dispose of them in the trash after use. As is probably expected of any needle prick, you’ll feel a small pinch on the finger you choose to poke, but, in our testers’ experience, it isn’t “painful” by any means.

After properly collecting your sample, you’ll need to write your name, the collection date, and the time (if required) on your specimen’s label. This could be on a separate label you’ll adhere to a collection tube, on the back of a collection card, or elsewhere in the kit (some also forgo this step entirely). Then, place the sample into the included biohazard bag and put the bag into the Everlywell test kit box. And, finally, place the box into the included mailer, apply the prepaid shipping label, and return the package to USPS. (It’s best to do this the same day or the day after you collect your sample to ensure the sample remains fresh and you get accurate results.)

Reviewing your results

When your sample arrives at the Everlywell lab, you’ll receive an email letting you know. After that, your results should be ready in the next 5-7 business days. Our testers’ results took about three days to be available after arrival.

As soon as your results are ready to be viewed, you’ll receive another email with a direct link to view them (after signing in). They can also be read using the Everlywell iOS app (there isn’t an Android app available at the time of this review).

The results page includes the results themselves, a selection of next steps, and some resources unique to the type of test you took. The results are color-coded and have a detailed description of what the test and findings mean. As noted in the picture above, you can also download the official lab report PDF of your results.

The PDF lab report results are much more “dry” or “clinical” than the way Everlywell presents them, but they can offer valuable information to your doctor, should you choose to share them. Similarly, you can also download the lab reports from myLAB Box and LetsGetChecked.

The first category of Everlywell’s tests is dubbed “General Wellness.” These test kits examine a variety of different health biomarkers that your primary care doctor may typically check, such as those for thyroid or heart health.

While many of the tests in this category have remained the same over time, Everlywell has discontinued its Heavy Metals Test. This could be due to the fact that researchers only recommend that “toxic metal” tests be performed directly by doctors under very specific circumstances, such as known exposures.5

Below, we’ll delve into the details of Everlywell’s currently available General Wellness tests.

Thyroid test

Everlywell’s Thyroid Test ($149) evaluates thyroid function through the analysis of three thyroid hormones — thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T3, and T4 — and thyroid peroxidase antibodies. This test requires a blood sample.

Symptoms associated with thyroid disease (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism) include fatigue, dry skin and nails, weight gain or loss without trying, tremors, hair loss, brittle hair, and more.6 7 However, Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune form of hypothyroidism, can progress very slowly, meaning you may not notice signs or symptoms. In this case, you may only learn you have the condition through the presence of thyroid peroxidase antibodies in your sample.8

To learn more about thyroid testing (and why LetsGetChecked is actually our top at-home testing choice at this time), you can check out our guide to the best at-home thyroid tests.

Cholesterol and lipids test

For anyone trying to manage cholesterol levels, Everlywell offers a Cholesterol and Lipids Test ($49) that measures your total cholesterol, HDL (“good” cholesterol), calculated LDL (“bad” cholesterol), and triglycerides from a blood sample.

There are no symptoms for high cholesterol, but some health conditions that can lead to unhealthy cholesterol levels include:9

• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• HIV/AIDS
• Hypothyroidism
• Lupus

Cholesterol can also be elevated by certain medications for conditions such as:9

• Acne
• Cancer
• High blood pressure
• HIV/AIDS
• Irregular heart rhythm
• Organ transplants

High cholesterol can cause plaques to accumulate on the walls of your arteries, which can lead to chest pain, heart attack, or stroke. So, it’s important to check your biomarkers for cholesterol regularly, especially if you’re in a high-risk group, such as those with a family history of or who have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.9

Everlywell’s Heart Health test also tests the same biomarkers, along with your HbA1c to determine your heart disease risk and overall heart health.

HbA1c test

Everlywell’s HbA1c Test ($49) measures the amount of HbA1c (hemoglobin A1C) in your blood sample. Your A1C levels determine your average blood sugar levels over the past three months, and the results are commonly used to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes. If you’re already diagnosed with either, it’s also the main way doctors determine how well your treatment is managing your condition.10

Out of the 96 million American adults with prediabetes, over 80% don’t know they have it.11 Similarly, 20% of the 37 million adults with diabetes are unaware they have the condition. With this in mind, and considering that diagnoses of the condition have more than doubled over the last 20 years, it’s a good idea to have your HbA1c checked regularly.12

FIT colon cancer screening test

Uniquely, the Everlywell FIT Colon Cancer Screening Test ($49) is only for those 45 and older and requires a stool sample to check for the presence of small or invisible amounts of blood in your stool (also referred to as “occult blood”).

The acronym FIT stands for Fecal Immunochemical Test. FIT tests are more specific than other similar tests, and they don’t require any special preparation.13

It’s important to mention, however, that a positive result from this test does not automatically mean you have colon cancer. While certain cancers can lead to the presence of occult fecal blood, it can also be due to inflammatory conditions like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other similar concerns. It may also occur because of infections from Salmonella, Shigella, or other bacteria.14 Ultimately, though, a positive result should be brought to your doctor for further evaluation.

Indoor and outdoor allergy test

Everlywell offers its Indoor and Outdoor Allergy Test ($199) for those experiencing or hoping to prevent symptoms of allergies, like a runny nose, irritated eyes, sneezing, congestion, headache, cough, and itchy throat.15

The results of this test check your immune response to 40 common indoor and outdoor allergies, including:

• Dog and cat dander
• 14 trees
• Nine weeds
• Seven types of grass
• Four types of mold
• Two types of dust mites
• Two pests (German cockroaches and mouse urine proteins)

Everlywell analyzes your blood sample for immunoglobulin E (IgE) immune responses to each of these allergens, with results ranging from “very low” to “very high.” A high reactivity level doesn’t necessarily mean you’re allergic to something, but it can help you determine what may be causing your symptoms. For diagnosis of an allergy, bringing your results to your healthcare provider can be a good first step.

Heart health test

The Heart Health Test ($99) provides insight into the overall health of your heart. Everlywell analyzes your blood sample and evaluates your total cholesterol, HDL, calculated LDL, triglycerides, and HbA1c. This test could be a more convenient alternative for those interested in the HbA1c Test and the Cholesterol and Lipids Test, as it looks at all the same biomarkers of both in one test.

This test is particularly relevant for those with a personal or family history of high cholesterol, heart disease, or diabetes; individuals with overweight or obesity; those who smoke, or do not exercise; and people who take cholesterol medication (to determine how well it’s controlling cholesterol levels).16 17

Lyme disease test

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne bacterial infection in the U.S. It’s caused by several different bacteria, though the likeliest culprit is Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted through the bite of infected ticks.18

Between 3-30 days after being bitten, an erythema migrans (EM) rash typically forms (20-30% of cases won’t experience the rash). The appearance of an EM rash can vary, but it usually begins at the site of the bite after around a week and gradually expands in size up to about 12in. The rash is rarely painful or itchy, but it may feel warm to the touch. Some will take on the stereotypical “bullseye” appearance, but this doesn’t always happen.18

Everlywell’s Lyme Disease Test ($109) is a blood test that checks for IgG and IgM antibodies in response to an infection from three types of Borrelia bacteria:

• Borrelia burgdorferi
• Borrelia garinii
• Borrelia afzelii

The CDC recommends a two-step testing process for Lyme disease, and Everlywell adheres to these recommendations in its Lyme Disease Test — the first step is an antibody screening, then (if the screening is positive) a confirmation immunoblot assay.19

A positive result doesn’t mean you’re confirmed to have Lyme disease; any concerning results should be discussed with your doctor for further investigation.

Everlywell’s Nutritional Health tests mainly involve measuring how the body reacts to different foods, be it a sensitivity or an allergy. The company also houses its supplements in this category, instead of just in their designated one, but we’ll just be covering the tests in this section.

Food sensitivity tests

The Everlywell Food Sensitivity Test ($199) is a blood test that measures your body’s immunoglobulin G (IgG) response to 96 different foods to potentially help you identify foods your body reacts to. And, if you want to test for even more foods, the Food Sensitivity Comprehensive Test ($299) measures IgG reactivity to 204 items.

However, it’s important to note that the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAI) states that using IgG to measure food sensitivities has no scientific basis. In fact, the presence of IgG can happen solely because of exposure.20 For example, your sample might ping as displaying sensitivity to milk, but that could simply be because you drink milk often, not because of an intolerance.

The results from either of these tests could be a good way to broach the subject of further testing or trying an elimination diet with the guidance of your doctor.

Food allergy test

Everlywell’s Food Allergy Test ($149) checks your blood sample for immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Unlike IgG measurement for food sensitivities, IgE measurement for food allergies has a decent amount of scientific backing behind it. In fact, researchers state that IgE antibody measurements could be “as comparable to that obtained with skin prick testing for respiratory and food allergy…”21 (Skin prick tests are one of the first tests conducted to discover and diagnose food allergies.)22

This test looks for IgE antibodies in reaction to the following foods:

• Almond
• Cow’s milk
• Egg white
• Egg yolk
• Peanut
• Shrimp
• Soy
• Tuna
• Wheat

Metabolism test

Everlywell’s Metabolism Test ($99) evaluates the levels of three hormones in your blood that contribute to the regulation of metabolism: cortisol,23 free testosterone,24 and thyroid-stimulating hormone.25

While this test can’t determine the cause of high or low levels of any of these hormones, it can be a good way to jumpstart the investigation for a cause with your doctor. The symptoms Everlywell mentions — thinning hair, fatigue, increased body fat, decreased muscle mass, and changes in weight — are nonspecific and can be attributed to a number of conditions. This is why getting your doctor involved with abnormal results is important for finding the underlying cause.

Celiac screening

Everlywell’s Celiac Disease Screening Test ($119) checks your blood sample for total IgA antibodies and two antibodies associated with celiac disease: tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin (tTG-IgA) and deamidated gliadin peptide immunoglobulin G (DGP-IgG).26

If you experience the following symptoms after consuming gluten, you may want to test for celiac disease.27

However, if you’ve gone six months to a year or more avoiding gluten, then there likely won’t be sufficient antibodies in your system to test positive for celiac disease, even if you have it. If this is the case, it’s recommended you speak with your doctor about reintroducing gluten into your diet to raise any potential antibodies in your blood for testing. Medical supervision is important due to the potential for severe or disrupting symptoms, such as pain, neuropathy, or migraines.

Vitamin D testing options

Vitamin D deficiency affects about one billion people around the world and approximately 35% of U.S. adults. A lack of vitamin D in adults can lead to fatigue, bone pain, muscle weakness or aches, and depression.28 Vitamin D may also play a role in regulating the production of proinflammatory cells. This means that a deficiency might increase the risk of inflammatory diseases or affect their prognosis post-diagnosis, such as chronic kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel diseases, among others.29

Likely due to the potential inflammatory connection, Everlywell offers two vitamin D-related tests:

• Vitamin D Test ($49): A blood test that measures 25-OH D (also known as a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test). This is considered the “most accurate” way to measure vitamin D levels.
• Vitamin D and Inflammation Test ($99): This blood test evaluates your 25-OH D and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. hsCRP is one biomarker used for determining inflammation levels. (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate or ESR is another common one.)30

Since elevated hsCRP results can indicate anything from an injury to autoimmune conditions or even cancer, it’s important to discuss your results with your doctor.31

According to data from the World Health Organization, more than one million STIs are acquired every single day worldwide.32 In the United States alone, it’s estimated that there are over 20 million new cases each year. And over one million people in the U.S. are living with HIV.33

While Everlywell provides a nice selection of STD tests, the company isn’t our top choice; based on our experience, LetsGetChecked won overall, but myLAB Box also offers some nice bundles and comprehensive test options.

Everlywell offers individual tests for HPV (females only), trichomoniasis, HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis. Unless you know which infection you were exposed to, we recommend starting with a multi-STD test. Bundled tests include Everlywell’s STD Test (male or female) and a chlamydia and gonorrhea test. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are often bundled together due to being two of the most common STIs in the U.S.,34 which people often contract simultaneously.35

The chart below quickly breaks down the details of each multi-STD test from Everlywell.

When to test for STDs/STIs

STDs/STIs can persist for an extended period of time, and many people aren’t aware they’re infected until symptoms appear (if they appear at all). To help you determine when you should test for each infection, we’ve compiled a chart for reference.36

STD test (male and female)

Both of Everlywell’s large STD Test bundles — male and female — test for the same six STDs/STIs:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis C (HCV)
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Syphilis
• Trichomoniasis (“Trich”)

The main difference between the two is sample collection. STD Test - Female ($169) requires a blood sample and a vaginal swab, while STD Test - Male ($169) uses a blood sample and a urine sample.

If you test positive for any of these, using either test, a board-certified physician will contact you to discuss your case and prescribe medication if deemed appropriate.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S., and infection can have serious health consequences if not diagnosed and treated early. The good news is that both are easily curable in most cases, and early detection and intervention is the best way to prevent long-term consequences. Many people infected with either don’t have any symptoms, so testing is a good idea if you think you may have been exposed.34

Everlywell's Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test ($69) only requires a urine sample. Unfortunately, this test can’t tell you the specific area of your body that is infected (genital, anal, or oral infection). If you’d prefer to know the area that’s infected, myLAB Box offers a 3-site chlamydia and gonorrhea test that checks for oral, anal, and genital infections. However, that information will cost you an additional $110 dollars — the 3-site kit is currently $179.

If your Everlywell test comes back positive, a board-certified physician in your state will contact you, free of charge, to discuss your case and prescribe medication as necessary.

HPV test (female)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) isn’t just a single virus, but, rather a group of over 200 related viruses, some high-risk, some low-risk. According to the National Cancer Institute, infection is very common, with “nearly all sexually active people” getting infected shortly after becoming sexually active. Low-risk HPV infections may lead to warts, while high-risk infections are asymptomatic and can cause various cancers.37

With “virtually all” cervical cancer being caused by HPV, it makes sense why Everlywell’s HPV test is female-only. However, 70% of throat cancers and 63% of penile cancers are also caused by HPV, so we hope Everlywell will expand this service to those with male anatomy in the future.37

The Everlywell HPV Test ($69) checks a vaginal swab sample for 14 high-risk HPV genotypes to give you insight into your risk of developing cervical cancer. This information can enable you to create an appropriate cervical screening plan with your physician.

Trichomoniasis

Caused by a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis, trichomoniasis (or “trich”) is one of the most common curable STDs in the U.S. Over 70% of affected people never develop any symptoms, and infection is more common in women than men. And reinfection occurs in about 20% of people within three months of being treated.38

Everlywell’s Trichomoniasis Test ($69) involves submitting a urine sample. If you test positive for trich, a physician in your state will contact you for a free consultation. It may be possible for them to send a prescription to your local pharmacy, depending on your symptoms and the state you live in.

HIV

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Though alarming, having HIV is far from the devastating diagnosis it once was. Treatments have come a long way over the past two decades, turning HIV into a manageable condition. Patients now have a life expectancy that's very close to that of the rest of the population.39

The CDC recommends everyone between the ages of 13-64 be tested for HIV at least once. And those with certain risk factors should get tested at least once per year. These risk factors include:40

• Being a man who has sex with other men
• Having anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV
• Having sex with more than one partner since your previous HIV test
• Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment
• Being previously diagnosed with or treated for another STD
• Being diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis or tuberculosis

The Everlywell HIV Test ($69) involves the collection of a blood sample. If your test results are abnormal, an associate from Everlywell’s physician network will reach out to provide you with any information you need to discuss your options moving forward.

Syphilis

Syphilis is an STD caused by a species of bacteria. Often initially asymptomatic, syphilis may cause serious or life-threatening medical issues if left untreated. Luckily, it’s often cured with a short course of antibiotics, though treatment can’t undo any damage done by severe infections (such as hearing loss or changes in vision). Syphilis is spread from direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex; it can also be spread from a pregnant individual to their unborn baby.41

Everlywell’s Syphilis Test ($69) requires a blood sample. If this test comes back positive, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with a physician to discuss your case and potentially receive medication. Also, if you test positive, it’s recommended that you get re-tested three months after concluding your treatment to ensure the infection is gone.

Hepatitis C

Everlywell's Hepatitis C Test ($69) requires a blood sample, and it checks your sample for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies.

Hepatitis C is a severe viral infection of the liver. If left untreated, it can cause permanent and potentially life-threatening damage to the organ, but luckily it is now possible to treat or cure hepatitis C in many cases.42

The infection is often asymptomatic for many years, with affected persons only realizing they have hepatitis C when the liver has already become damaged. The virus is spread via blood-to-blood contact or through unprotected sex, though the latter is uncommon.43

If your test comes back abnormal, a provider from Everlywell’s independent physician network will contact you to discuss your case and options moving forward. If this test comes back positive, it’s recommended you get re-tested three months after your first test to confirm the positive result.

Everlywell currently offers four health tests for women. If you’re interested in two or more of the individual tests described below, it may be best to opt for the Women’s Health Test, which analyzes all of the hormones in the other kits.

Women’s health test

For women or AFAB individuals at all stages of life, the Women's Health Test ($249) is Everlywell's most comprehensive female hormone test. Along with several biomarkers related to thyroid function and stress response, it evaluates all of the hormones covered by the Women's Fertility Test, Postmenopause Test, and Perimenopause Test.

The hormones and biomarkers tested include:

• Estradiol
• Progesterone
• Luteinizing hormone (LH)
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
• Cortisol
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• Free T3
• Free T4
• Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO)
• Free testosterone

The test requires both a blood and a saliva sample, each collected at different times during your menstrual cycle according to the instructions included in the kit. You’ll receive two blood collection cards and four saliva collection tubes. The first collection, blood only, is to be done on day three or four of your menstrual cycle. Then, the second collection, blood and saliva, are collected based on your typical cycle length (as detailed in the instructions).

Perimenopause test

Everlywell’s Perimenopause Test ($99) is for women and AFAB people who are wondering if menopause may be approaching based on their hormone levels. Using a blood sample, Everlywell measures your estradiol,44 luteinizing hormone (LH),45 and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)46 — all of which present with a new normal after menopause; estradiol drops, while LH and FSH increase.

Postmenopause test

The Everlywell Postmenopausal Test ($99) is a saliva test that evaluates levels of the hormones estradiol and progesterone.

The main change that occurs during Menopause is that your ovaries no longer produce the high levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone they once did. And knowing the levels of those hormones can help you and your doctor determine the ideal next steps for you — whether it be hormone therapy or vitamins to help prevent osteoporosis.47

Women’s fertility test

Hormonal imbalances can lead to a variety of troublesome symptoms. Everlywell’s Women’s Fertility Test ($149) is for those concerned about their fertility or who have experienced signs that may indicate a hormonal problem, such as changes to their menstrual cycles or unexplained weight changes. The five hormones analyzed in this test include estradiol, LH, FSH, total testosterone, and TSH.

Similar to the Women’s Health Test, mall blood samples must be collected on a few specific days of your menstrual cycle, as stated in the kit’s instructions.

• Estradiol, testosterone, and TSH are measured on day 19
• LH and FSH are measured on day three

Currently, Everlywell only offers two tests designed for men, both of which include testosterone measurements.

Men’s health test

Everlywell's Men’s Health Test ($249) is a saliva test that examines four hormones associated with sex drive, muscle mass, weight balance, and energy levels in men and AMAB individuals:

• Testosterone
• Cortisol
• DHEA
• Estradiol

Additionally, some of these hormones at different levels can indicate issues outside of the previously mentioned associations. For example, your adrenal glands are what make DHEA and cortisol, so abnormalities in the results of those hormones could indicate a problem with those glands.48

Total testosterone test (male)

Low levels of testosterone are associated with a decreased sex drive, mental fatigue, weight gain, and depression.49 The Everlywell Testosterone Test ($69) requires a blood sample and only provides you with results on your total testosterone levels.

Everlywell tests can also be purchased via its Amazon store, sometimes at a discounted price. The charts below detail the prices from Amazon (which are likely to fluctuate over time) versus the one-time purchase costs of tests on the Everlywell website using our INNERBODY15 promo code for 15% off. As you can see, it usually pays to buy directly from Everlywell, but there are occasional exceptions. Also it’s worth noting that you won’t find all of Everlywell’s tests available on Amazon.

Sexual health tests:

Women’s health tests:

Men’s health tests:

Nutritional health tests:

General health tests:

Everlywell is one of many at-home testing companies we’ve evaluated. While most offer similar tests, there are some reasons you may choose one over another. For instance, compared to Everlywell, LetsGetChecked has faster results, and myLAB Box offers a wider variety of tests to choose from.

Below, we explore some of these alternatives (for both at-home and in-lab testing).

myLAB Box

While myLab Box initially only offered sexual health tests, it has expanded into general wellness, fertility, nutrition, drug testing, and more. Uniquely, the company sells test bundles packaged for purposes you won’t find from the competition, such as tests for Skin Vitality ($209), Fitness ($225), and Anti-Aging ($225). myLAB Box also offers some STD tests that other companies don’t, such as 3-site (oral, anal and genital) testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Like Everlywell, myLAB Box uses CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratories. And sample collection is easy to do at home using the same methods as Everlywell: finger-prick blood samples, urine samples, swabs, and so on. You can also expect similar timeframes for shipping and getting your results back.

myLAB Box tests come in discreet packaging, and so as not to reveal anything about what you ordered. If you test positive for certain STDs or rapid result tests, you receive a free physician telemedicine consultation just like Everlywell offers for some of its tests.

However, myLAB Box has slightly higher base pricing and fewer discounts than Everlywell. It’s also worth noting that myLAB Box results expire after 60 days, and they aren’t quite as user-friendly to read as Everlywell’s.

LetsGetChecked

Another competitor we recommend is LetsGetChecked. This company offers a nice variety of at-home tests in the following areas: sexual health, women’s health, men’s health, wellness, and COVID-19.

Though LetsGetChecked doesn’t offer the most tests, it does provide you with rapid results. On multiple occasions, our testers received their results the day after they shipped off their samples. This may not always be the case, but the fact that it happened more than once definitely impressed us. And, like Everlywell, LetsGetChecked results are user-friendly and include a thorough explanation.

A major drawback of LetsGetChecked, however, is that its blood sample collection can be a (literal) pain to deal with. Unlike the methods used by myLAB Box and Everlywell, LetsGetChecked requires you to bleed into a collection tube. And if you don’t fill up the tube to the line, your sample may get rejected. If you clot easily, then we recommend looking elsewhere for at-home tests.

In-lab alternatives

If you clot easily or feel squeamish from the thought of dealing with blood or other bodily fluids, then one of these in-lab alternatives may be a good fit for you. For each of these, you just find the lab order you wish to have completed, purchase it, then take it to a local Labcorp or Quest Diagnostics location (depending on which lab you purchased it for), and a phlebotomist will take your sample for you.

• For a focus on sexual health, we recommend STDcheck.com. The service offers both multi-STD panels and individual tests.
• For other health concerns, Walk-In Lab and HealthLabs both offer a massive library of tests to choose from. For example, searching for “thyroid” returns 188 results through Walk-In Lab and 32 from HealthLabs.