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Metabolic tests look at a person’s hormone levels or carbon dioxide and oxygen output. They may indicate a hormone imbalance or help people with weight goals. Several companies offer metabolic tests at home.
- Best for membership savings: Everlywell Metabolism Test | Skip to review
- Best for fast results: myLab Box At Home Metabolism Test | Skip to review
- Best for medical support: LetsGetChecked Cortisol Test | Skip to review
- Best for a weight check: Thorne Weight Management Test | Skip to review
MNT chooses at-home tests that meet the following criteria:
- Laboratories: Where possible, MNT will choose 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.
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.
Best for membership savings: Everlywell Metabolism Test
- Price: $99
- Collection method: finger prick, saliva
- Results in: within five days
- Follow-up guidance: recorded educational sessions
The Everlywell Metabolism Test provides information on cortisol, testosterone, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels.
Learn more about the Everlywell Metabolism Test here.
Once a person receives their test kit, they must register it on the Everlywell website. Then, they must use the included lancet and equipment to collect blood and saliva samples. Finally, people must place the samples in a prepaid envelope and send them to the lab for analysis.
Results are available within five days. Everlywell uploads the results to a person’s secure online portal, which customers can view on the website or with the iOS-only Everlywell app.
The company provides a recorded educational session about metabolism. However, if a person wishes to talk with anyone to discuss the results, they must make an appointment with a healthcare professional, as Everlywell does not provide any professional guidance.
However, the benefit that makes this test stand out is its membership savings. If a person signs up for automatic deliveries, they will save up to 25% on each purchase. The delivery and savings tiers are:
- Semi-Annual Subscription: People will save 15%, paying $84 per test, and receive the kit twice a year.
- Quarterly Subscription: People will save 20%, paying $79 per test, and receive the kit four times a year.
- Monthly subscription: People will save 25%, paying $74 per test, and receive the kit 12 times a year.
Use code “HEALTHLINE25” for 25% off.
Learn more about Everlywell here.
Pros
- membership options can provide significant savings for regular customers
- offers free shipping
- has discreet packaging
- accepts payments through flexible savings account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA)
Cons
- is expensive without the subscription options
- the app is only available on iOS devices
- requires using a needle, which some people may find uncomfortable
Best for fast results: myLab Box At Home Metabolism Test
- Price: $99
- Collection method: finger prick, saliva
- Results in: 1–5 days
- Follow-up guidance: none
This test checks a person’s cortisol, TSH, and testosterone levels.
To use this test, people must perform a finger prick and take a saliva sample. They then send the samples to myLABBOX’s lab in a prepaid envelope.
According to the company, the labs are CAP and CLIA-certified. Additionally, myLab Box states that this test is CDC-listed.
Unlike some other at-home tests, myLab Box does not offer any guidance beyond a comprehensive review of a person’s test results.
However, myLab Box offers results in as little as 24 hours after sending the samples to a lab. This makes the company an ideal choice for people who want their results back as soon as possible.
Learn more about myLABBOX here.
Pros
- accepts FSA and HSA payments
- offers results as fast as one day after sending off the samples
- uses CAP and CLIA-certified labs
Cons
- currently unavailable to New York residents
- does not offer any follow-up guidance
Best for medical support: LetsGetChecked Cortisol Test
- Price: $99
- Collection method: finger prick
- Results in: 2–5 days
- Follow-up guidance: explanation and advice from a healthcare professional
LetsGetChecked’s cortisol test measures cortisol levels and requires a blood sample.
The company provides users with all the tools they need, such as lancets and tubes.
It recommends that people get tested if they have Cushing’s syndrome symptoms, Addison’s disease, or take testosterone.
LetsGetChecked also states that it is best to take the test between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. and return the sample to the lab on the same day.
Once the lab has the sample, the company will upload the results to a secure online portal within 2–5 days. Unlike many other companies, LetsGetChecked has a medical team that may call to explain the results and provide advice on any next steps.
LetsGetChecked also offers several subscription options, each offering savings:
- save 15% on each test with automatic deliveries every twelve months
- save 20% on each test with automatic deliveries every six months
- save 30% on each test with automatic deliveries every three months
Learn more about LetsGetChecked.
Pros
- offers consultations with medical professionals
- has several subscription options for regular customers
- accepts FSA and HSA payments
Cons
- not a good option for persons with a fear of needles
- extra charge for express shipping
Best for a weight check:Thorne Weight Management Test
- Price: $327
- Collection method: blood spot, saliva
- Results in: 8–10 business days
- Follow-up guidance: personalized recommendations
This weight management kit measures biomarkers associated with a person’s weight management.
Orders include gauze pads, biohazard bags, a return envelope, and saliva collection tubes, among other tools that users may need for the test.
It requires a blood and saliva sample collection and measures the following:
- reproductive hormones, such as estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone
- adrenal hormones, such as cortisol
- blood sugar levels
- vitamin D
- thyroid hormones
Individuals mail their samples to the company’s lab. Physicians review the results, which are available after 8-10 business days.
Pros
- each result comes with personalized recommendations
- offers subscription options
- recyclable packaging
Cons
- longer turnaround time than other options
- more expensive than other options
- does not ship to P.O. boxes
The chart below shows how the five metabolism tests differ from each other:
| Price | Collection method | Results in | Follow-up guidance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everlywell | $99 | finger prick, saliva | 5 days | recorded sessions |
| myLab Box | $99 | finger prick, saliva | 1–5 days | none |
| LetsGetChecked | $99 | finger prick | 2–5 days | explanations and advice |
| Thorne | $327 | blood spot, saliva | 8–10 days | personalized recommendations |
There are several online brands that stock at-home metabolism tests. Below are some factors that people can consider before purchasing:
- Sample collection: Most test kits require both a blood and saliva sample. Those uncomfortable using needles may prefer a product that only requires saliva samples.
- Cost: At-home tests can be expensive, especially if individuals buy them for one-time use. Regular users may prefer a company that offers regular subscriptions at a reduced cost.
- Consultations: Some companies offer free consultations so that customers can discuss their results with doctors or nurses.
- Results: Product pages list the number of days that the laboratory takes to publish results. Most of the time, people receive them within a few days, and they can access them via email or through an online portal.
A metabolism test measures the rate at which the body uses oxygen or burns calories. It can estimate how many calories a person burns when at rest or during activity, which can help them with their fitness and weight goals.
Metabolism refers to the body’s process of converting food into energy. The body uses this energy for everyday tasks, including keeping warm, movement, and other activities.
An individual can receive metabolic testing at some healthcare facilities and fitness centers. In addition, several companies offer home tests to help people determine their metabolic rate.
It is important to note that no home test can diagnose a health condition, so people should interpret their results with the help of a doctor.
Some metabolism tests look at key hormone levels that can affect a person’s metabolism. These test results could indicate a hormone issue that could be affecting an individual’s weight and other aspects of health. For example, many hormone metabolism tests look at cortisol levels, TSH, and free testosterone.
Cortisol
A hormone metabolism test may indicate a person has too much or too little cortisol. This hormone plays a role in regulating metabolism, the immune system, and how the body responds to stress.
Having too much cortisol for an extended period can lead to low libido. People with uteruses may have irregular periods or periods that stop altogether, which doctors call amenorrhea.
Having too much cortisol can also lead to Cushing’s syndrome. This condition can cause many symptoms, including high blood pressure, mood swings, and rapid weight gain around the face, chest, and abdomen.
In contrast, having too little cortisol may also be a sign of Addison’s disease, which can be life threatening without treatment. Some symptoms may include dizziness, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss.
Thyroid stimulating hormone
A hormone metabolism test may indicate whether a person has too much or too little TSH. This hormone plays a role in maintaining metabolism, muscle control, brain development, and heart and digestion functions.
Having too much TSH may indicate an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism. Some symptoms of this condition include feeling cold, fatigue, and experiencing unintentional weight gain.
In contrast, having too little TSH may indicate an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism. Some symptoms of this condition include unintentional weight loss, feeling hot, and anxiety symptoms.
Free testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone that is present in both females and males.
Learn more about testosterone.
In females with too much testosterone, it can indicate polycystic ovary syndrome. Some symptoms of this condition include acne, more body and facial hair, and a deeper voice.
Males with too little testosterone may experience increased body fat, sleep disturbances, and erectile dysfunction.
There are four types of metabolic tests. The most common home test that screens certain possible health conditions are metabolic hormone tests.
Home metabolic testing often looks at hormone levels in the blood or saliva. In addition to screening for hormone levels that may suggest an underlying condition, these tests may also indicate causes of weight gain.
The following hormones may play a role in weight gain and loss:
- Cortisol:
Research has shown that higher cortisol levels could predict more weight gain. - TSH:
Researchers are not sure how much of a role the thyroid and the TSH have on weight loss. However, a2017 study indicates that a higher presence of free thyroid hormones predicts more weight loss in adults with obesity. - Free testosterone:
Research indicates that testosterone therapy may help males with low testosterone and obesity lose weight. The researchers suggest that testosterone therapy may encourage sustained weight loss and maintenance of a person’s weight goal compared with other treatments.
However, people should always interpret their metabolic test results with the help of a doctor. If a person receives a test result that indicates hormone levels that are too low or too high, they should contact a healthcare professional for further tests.
At-home metabolism tests are not substitutes for medical advice. People should always contact a doctor to discuss their results.
An individual can speak with a doctor if they receive a metabolism test result that shows their hormone levels are too low or too high. Although the test cannot diagnose what is causing these uncharacteristic levels, a doctor can.
A person interested in using the home metabolic test for weight loss or maintenance should speak with a doctor, nutritionist, or fitness professional, who can help design a diet and exercise program that meets their requirements.
How do you test your metabolism?
At-home metabolism tests check hormone levels that may influence a person’s metabolic rate. By checking these levels, tests can estimate whether a person’s metabolism is average for their age.
What does a metabolic test show?
A metabolic test estimates how fast a person burns calories while not exercising. Metabolism tests can estimate whether a person’s metabolic rate is average or outside typical ranges.
Can a metabolism test help you lose weight?
A metabolism test, in itself, cannot help people lose weight. It can give people a more in-depth view into how fast their body burns calories, which people can then use to tailor diet and exercise regimes.
What is a good metabolism score?
The rate at which a person metabolizes food and drink depends on several factors, including:
- age
- sex
- race
- exercise
- diet
Home metabolic tests can indicate whether a person’s hormone levels are too high or too low. Having hormone levels that are too high or low can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, mood swings, and unintentional weight loss or gain.
People should contact a doctor once they receive their test results to determine the cause of these uncharacteristic hormone levels.