We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
Metabolism 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.
A metabolism test measures the rate at which the body uses oxygen or burns calories. It can estimate how many calories a person burns 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.
MNT chooses at-home tests that meet the following criteria:
- Laboratories: Where possible, MNTwill choose companies that process test samples in
CLIA-certified labs. This means they follow state and federal regulations. - Budget: MNTselects 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: MNTselects companies that inform customers when they will receive their test results and whether they will receive them via email, app, or phone.
- Further support: MNTwill indicate whether a company offers further support, such as a follow-up phone consultation with a doctor to discuss test results.
Medical News Todayfollows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
A metabolism test can help people identify how many calories they burn daily. This may help a person make appropriate lifestyle changes to diet and exercise to improve overall fitness, which can lead to weight loss.
At-home tests tend to focus simply on hormones that affect metabolic rate, including cortisol and thyroid levels. Knowing these hormone levels can help people determine their metabolic rate and understand whether they need to make any lifestyle changes.
The chart below shows how these metabolism tests differ:
| Price | Collection method | Results in | Follow-up guidance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everlywell | $99 | finger prick, saliva | 5 days | recorded sessions |
| myLab Box | $99 | finger prick, saliva | 1 to 5 days | none |
| LetsGetChecked | $99 | finger prick | 2 to 5 days | explanations and advice |
| Thorne | $249 | blood spot, saliva | 8 to 10 days | personalized recommendations |
Several online brands 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 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.
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 may 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 whether 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 time can lead to low libido. People who have periods may have irregular cycles, or they may stop altogether, which doctors call amenorrhea.
Having too much cortisol can also lead to Cushing syndrome. This condition can cause many symptoms, including:
- high blood pressure
- mood swings
- 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 (TSH)
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 hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Some symptoms include feeling cold, fatigue, and experiencing unintentional weight gain.
In contrast, having too little TSH may indicate hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Some symptoms include unintentional weight loss, feeling hot, and anxiety symptoms.
Free testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone that is present in both females and males.
In females with too much testosterone, it can indicate polycystic ovary syndrome. Some symptoms of this condition include:
- acne
- more body and facial hair
- 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. Metabolic hormone tests are the most common home test for screening certain possible health conditions.
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: One of the symptoms of high cortisol levels includes weight gain.
- TSH: It is not completely clear how much of a role the thyroid and the TSH have on weight loss. However, a 2019 study found that the normalization of thyroid levels caused a significant change in participants’ weight.
- Free testosterone:
Research indicates that testosterone therapy may help with the reduction of weight, waist circumference, and body mass index. The researchers go on to suggest that long-term testosterone therapy may be a good weight loss treatment for overweight and obese hypogonadal males.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Metabolism is a reaction that provides the body with energy. Food and drink provide energy, which the body metabolizes to keep it healthy. The body uses this fuel for movement, growth, reproduction, and development.
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. Hormone levels that are too high or too low can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, mood swings, and unintentional weight loss or gain.
Once they receive their test results, people should contact a doctor to determine the cause of these uncharacteristic hormone levels.