We Tried Everlywell: Reviewing Its Test Kits, Pros and Cons, and Important Considerations

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Please note that the writer of this article has not tried this service. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

Everlywell has several advantages and disadvantages that people may wish to consider before purchasing a test.

Everlywell is an online company that offers at-home test kits for various medical conditions, general wellness, and sexual health.

According to Everlywell, all the laboratories it uses and all the tests it provides are regulated under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Some laboratories also hold accreditation with the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

The Everlywell headquarters are in Austin, Texas. To date, the company has been in business for about 7 years.

Everlywell does not hold accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and it has an A+ rating with the agency.

Out of 24 customer reviews on the BBB, the company’s average rating is 1.34 out of 5 stars. The company has a high rating with the BBB despite this.

There are 35 customer reviews on Trustpilot. The company’s average rating is currently 2 out of 5 stars.

Everlywell may be suitable for people who cannot easily visit a doctor’s office. Individuals living in a remote area or experiencing difficulty with mobility may prefer to use an Everlywell at-home test kit.

It may also be a more convenient option for people who work during the day, as they will not need to take time off from work to visit a doctor.

Some individuals may also prefer to complete a sexual health test at home if they feel uncomfortable undergoing testing at a doctor’s office or in a laboratory.

When a person orders an at-home test kit, Everlywell sends the test request to an independent network of doctors. A board certified doctor reviews the request and decides whether it is suitable for the customer.

If the test is suitable for the person, the doctor approves it, and the company sends a test kit to them. The person then follows the instructions in the kit to collect the necessary samples and sends them through the mail to undergo testing in a laboratory.

Once the laboratory technicians have analyzed the person’s samples, they send the results to the doctor who approved the test. The doctor then sends the results to Everlywell, who sends a notification to the customer.

If the doctor believes that the test the person has ordered is not suitable for them, they notify Everlywell, who issues a refund to the customer.

Everlywell encourages customers to share their test results with a healthcare professional. The company states that it is easy for someone to share their test results with a doctor if they want to. However, the company will not disclose test results to anyone without the person’s permission.

Everlywell offers at-home tests for a range of things, including:

• General wellness: This includes tests for COVID-19, high cholesterol, and colon cancer screening.
• Men’s health: This includes tests for testosterone and a general men’s health test that covers cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and estradiol.
• Women’s health: This includes tests for perimenopause, postmenopause, HPV, and infertility and a general women’s health test that covers estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and much more.
• Weight and energy: This includes tests for vitamin D, thyroid hormones, metabolism, and inflammation.
• Sexual health: This includes tests for STIs, such as trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis C.

The sections below discuss some health tests that doctors commonly order. Everlywell offers at-home testing options for these conditions.

Thyroid conditions

• Measures: TSH, T3, and T4
• Sample collection: finger prick
• Price: $149

The thyroid is a gland located at the front of the base of the neck. It is responsible for producing hormones that control a wide range of bodily functions.

Everlywell recommends this test for females, people who have a family history of thyroid conditions, those who smoke, and those who are older than 50 years of age.

This test includes all necessary tools, such as instructions, a lancet, and a prepaid envelope.

The Everlywell Thyroid test checks for both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones. This condition is also known as an underactive thyroid.

Symptoms may include:

• tiredness
• weight gain
• constipation
• dry skin
• depression
• cold intolerance

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), hypothyroidism affects approximately 5% of people in the United States.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland makes too much hormone. This condition is also known as an overactive thyroid.

Symptoms may include:

• nervousness
• weight loss
• sleep problems
• heart palpitations
• heat intolerance
• increased sweating

According to the NIH, hyperthyroidism affects just over 1% of people in the U.S.

Use code “HEALTHLINE25” for 25% off.

Testosterone

• Measures: free testosterone
• Sample collection: saliva sample
• Price: $49

The Endocrine Society states that both low and high levels of the hormone testosterone can cause symptoms.

For example, low levels of testosterone may lead to:

• a reduced sex drive
• poor erections
• a decreased sperm count

Before puberty, high levels of testosterone in male children can cause tumors, but this is rare.

Everlywell recommends this test for those who have symptoms of high or low testosterone. Each test comes with instructions, a saliva tube, and a prepaid envelope.

Use code “HEALTHLINE25” for 25% off.

Perimenopause

• Measures: estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone
• Sample collection: finger prick
• Price: $99

High levels of FSH in females may indicate that they have reached menopause. This occurs when the production of hormones in the reproductive system decreases.

During menopause, the following may occur:

• hot flashes
• insomnia
• mood changes

This kit measures the levels of three hormones that may indicate a person has reached perimenopause. Each order includes instructions, a lancet, and prepaid envelope.

Use code “HEALTHLINE25” for 25% off.

Allergies

• Measures: 40 common allergens, including pets, grasses, and dust mites
• Sample collection: finger prick
• Price: $199

According to the American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology (ACAAI), more than 50 million people in the U.S. have an allergy.

Individuals can have allergies to a wide variety of things, such as foods, pets, and dust. The ACAAI states that testing can identify the triggers of these allergic reactions and lead to effective treatment.

Everlywell offers an allergy test that measures 40 common allergens. Each test comes with instructions, a lancet, and a prepaid envelope.

Use code “HEALTHLINE25” for 25% off.

Below, our tester Laramy Applekamp, gives their hands-on review of their experience with Everlywell.

The reviewer in this article received free products from Everlywell to try. All opinions are their own.

Ordering the test

I was sent this test, so I didn’t have to order it. However, looking at the website, it appears fairly straightforward to purchase, though the shipping window of 2–8 days could be rather frustrating for people who are feeling a sense of urgency about getting test results.

“My Everlywell test arrived in very discreet packing. Within the box, the materials for the two samples I had to provide were distinctly separated, and the instructions laid everything out clearly.”

Taking the test

“The instructions were very clear, shipping with their prepaid envelope was easy, their texts were extremely helpful, [and] their results page was extremely straightforward and educational.

“However, I had some uncertainty around whether a sample where the circles weren’t fully filled would be acceptable and if there was a time limit on getting the samples to the lab.”

Getting the results

“Everlywell’s test comes with the pre-paid shipping envelope to return your test, so I just had to swing by the nearest post office to drop it off. It wasn’t clear in the kit whether there was a time frame when you had to get the sample into the lab, so to be safe, I mailed it the same day.

“Friday afternoon (3 days from when I took my sample), Everlywell texted me to let me know my results were ready. I was able to click in directly from the text and was directed to a results page, where it looks like it keeps the results of all tests you take in one convenient place for easy access.

“The company also allows you to download to a PDF, which could be very helpful for printing if you need to share these results with a medical professional. At the bottom of the results, Everylwell provides suggestions for how to share these results with your primary care provider.”

The tests range from $15–$299.

If a person signs up for Everlywell’s membership program, which is called Control, they receive a discount on all the company’s products.

A Control membership costs $24.99 a month. A member can order one qualifying test for free each month, and they get a 20% discount on any other tests.

A person can cancel their membership at any time by contacting Everlywell’s customer care team. There is no cancellation fee.

On the Everlywell website, a person can browse all the tests or filter the results to find tests in their area of concern.

A person can also sign up for Control, Everlywell’s membership program, before making a purchase.

After ordering and receiving a test, carefully follow the instructions and collect a sample. After a person sends off their sample in the prepaid envelope, Everlywell returns the results within days.

There are a number of companies that provide at-home test kits similar to those by Everlywell.

The table below shows how Everlywell compares with other brands:

Learn more about Everywell’s competitors here:

• LetsGetChecked
• Nurx
• myLAB Box

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists the benefits and risks associated with using at-home health tests.

The FDA does not mention Everlywell or other companies specifically.

Some potential benefits of using at-home tests include the following:

• They may lead to an early detection of a medical condition when no symptoms are present.
• The detection of a medical condition can allow a person to take immediate action.
• They can help monitor things such as blood sugar levels, which can lead to changes in treatment when necessary.
• The companies keep their customers’ test results confidential.

Some risks to be aware of include the following:

• Home tests should not replace regular doctor visits.
• A doctor should interpret laboratory tests within the context of a person’s medical history, physical examination results, and the results of other diagnostic tests.
• At-home health tests may not be ideal, as there is the possibility of receiving incorrect results.
• At-home tests are not comparable with tests that hospital laboratories carry out. For example, when looking at cholesterol levels, a lower number may not mean that a person’s cholesterol is truly decreased. This is because different laboratories use different techniques and reference ranges.

In addition, it is advisable to exercise caution when using at-home tests, because the quality may not be the same as that of hospital laboratory tests. Errors may occur with at-home tests for a number of reasons.

If possible, a person should contact a doctor and take any recommended health tests in a doctor-recommended facility.

If a person orders an at-home health test from Everlywell or a similar company and receives results that suggest that they may have a health condition, they should confirm the results with a doctor.

The FDA recommends that people talk with a doctor if they do not feel well or are concerned about their risk of developing a health condition.

The FDA also states that people should regularly visit a doctor, regardless of whether they feel ill.

Get answers to some commonly asked questions about the company and its at-home test kits:

Are Everlywell tests legitimate?

Everlywell can help provide customers with valuable information about their health in a quick, easy, and convenient way.

The company uses CLIA-certified laboratories. This means that its tests undergo regular quality checks and that its laboratories undergo regular inspections.

However, it is important to note that Everlywell tests should not replace a consultation with a doctor. The service offers a convenient way for a person to quickly and easily take control of their health, but a doctor needs to know about any serious concerns a person has about their health and well-being.

Is Everlywell FDA-approved?

No, Everlywell tests do not have FDA approval.

However, the FDA has given Everylwell’s COVID-19 test emergency authorization.

Discover the best at-home COVID-19 tests.

Is Everlywell food sensitivity test legitimate?

There is no clear evidence that food sensitivity tests can accurately determine whether a person has a sensitivity.

Food sensitivity tests screen for the presence of antibodies such as IgG. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology states that raised IgG levels are likely to be a typical response to food exposure and do not reliably indicate sensitivities.

How accurate are Everlywell tests?

For some tests, such as the food allergy test, there are studies that question the accuracy of the results. It is advisable for people to be aware of that when using at-home tests, as the quality may not be the same as that of tests that people undergo in a hospital laboratory.

Other factors — including human error, fasting, and medication use — can also produce false-negative or false-positive test results.

Everlywell has a high rating with the BBB, and it uses certified laboratories to review and analyze its customers’ tests.

However, the FDA states that it is best for a doctor to evaluate a person’s laboratory test results. This is because doctors need to interpret tests alongside a person’s medical history and physical examination results to make an accurate diagnosis.

Additionally, customer reviews for the company are not positive, and some customers state that Everlywell at-home test kits sometimes provide inaccurate results.