The ultimate guide to at-home lab testing

What we cover in this article:

Why you might want to do at-home lab testing
Are at-home tests accurate?
What types of at-home tests are not accurate?
How does at-home lab testing work?
What should I look for when choosing an at-home lab test?
What are the different types of sample collections?
What don’t at-home lab tests measure why?
What should I know about my hormones and vitamins specifically?
What are the benefits of annual testing?
Are at-home lab tests a replacement for primary care?

In the past, at-home testing was reserved for people who need to monitor diabetes via finger-prick blood samples and people who wanted to find out about their ancestry via saliva samples. In the last 20 years, wellness companies and medical experts have teamed up to make at-home testing more accurate and accessible.

While at-home testing is not a substitute for doctor’s appointments, getting in-depth information about your hormone, vitamin and glucose levels --- and many other biomarkers that can be unearthed through at-home testing --- can help you feel more in control of your health and wellness. At-home testing can also help detect and prevent serious diseases and illnesses before they get worse.

So how do you know if at-home testing is right for you? Let’s say, for example, that you’re experiencing low libido and would prefer to manage the problem naturally by changing your diet and getting more exercise. Months of trying the newest fad diet and exercise routines yield little to no results, and your doctor’s waiting list for the next appointment feels like lightyears away.

Here’s how at-home testing can step in to save the day: Instead of waiting for a doctor’s appointment, you’ll receive a sample collection kit in the mail to send blood, saliva or urine samples to a CLIA-approved lab for analysis. Within a few days or weeks, you’ll receive lab results that can help you make actionable plans to get your libido back on track.

Still don’t know if at-home testing is right for you? Here are a few more insights that might help you make your decision:

Takeaways:

At-home testing is simple, effortless, accurate and painless.
Understanding your at-home results can help you come up with holistic, actionable solutions toward your wellness goals.
At-home testing allows you to access a wealth of information about your body --- without even leaving your house.
The most common samples collected for at-home testing are blood, saliva, urine and vaginal swabs.

Why you might want to do at-home lab testing

With at-home lab testing, you’ll be able to receive results quicker without inconvenient --- and sometimes invasive or uncomfortable --- procedures.

Easy, efficient and cost-effective, at-home testing is a great way to achieve your wellness goals. The wealth of new information about your body can inspire you to take more agency over your overall health and make better choices. At-home tests can even help you catch early symptoms of preventable diseases like type 2 diabetes, hypertension and thyroid disease.

Are at-home tests accurate?

Yes, they are.

A study conducted by a Chinese university showed that at-home tests are just as accurate as most test results from a doctor or hospital. At-home tests use the same technology as doctor’s offices and hospitals, and your results are typically analyzed at a CLIA-certified or CAP-certified lab.

CLIA stands for Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, and falls under The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. CLIA-approved laboratories have gone through a rigorous application and analysis process to get authorization to analyze at-home test results.

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) is another organization that The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved to evaluate labs who receive human samples. Both CLIA and CAP certifications show that a laboratory adheres to the strictest standards.

Inaccuracies of at-home test results will most likely come from incorrect sample collection. Make sure to follow the instructions for your specific sample collection kit to ensure the most accurate results.

What type of at-home tests aren’t accurate?

You’ve seen people buy a few different kinds of pregnancy tests at the drugstore to make sure they’re really pregnant. After getting those results, they’ll usually double-check with their doctor just to be sure.

In general, urine tests that provide a color-coded strip to measure results can be inaccurate because they provide yes-or-no answers that don’t really provide any real solutions. For example, at-home urine tests purchased at a local drugstore can tell you whether or not you have a urinary tract infection (UTI).

However, only doctors and lab technicians can decipher the exact bacteria causing the infection and provide the correct antibiotic to treat the UTI. Health concerns are rarely solved by a yes-or-no answer, but rather by understanding fluctuations in health data over time to give a holistic picture.

Additionally, white blood cells in the urine sample can produce inconsistent results, making perfectly healthy people anxious with a false positive result.

Getting a color-coded card with results that you can read at home can seem fun and interesting. But at the end of the day, lab results need to be read by experts such as lab technicians, nurse practitioners and doctors who can give you an accurate analysis of your test results.

How does at-home lab testing work?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to how at-home lab testing works:

Choose your test company. Read the reviews carefully, and remember to consider accuracy by looking for CLIA or CAP certifications.
Order a test based on what you’d like to measure. The kind of test you’re looking for can narrow down your choice as each company has their own specialty.
Your testing kit arrives via mail. Your package will have everything you need to collect your sample, collection instructions and a shipping label and container so that you can send it back to the lab.
Register your test. There will typically be an alphanumeric or QR code that allows the lab to know that these samples belong to you. You may be prompted to do this via an app or on a desktop computer.
Collect your samples. We’ve included detailed sample collection instructions below so that you know what to expect. Companies will typically include detailed sample collection instructions with your testing kit, or on their website.
Send your samples back to the lab. Use the shipping container and label included in the testing kit to send your samples back to the lab for analysis.
The lab processes your sample. It takes a few days for the lab to get back to you with your results.
View your results. Most companies offer an app or website where you can view your results in easy-to-understand language. Make sure the company you use offers a secure platform to protect your data.
Consult with the company to discuss your results confidentially. If the company you’re working with provides this service, it could be helpful to talk to an expert to create an action plan based on your at-home test results.

What to consider when choosing an at-home test

First, your search for an at-home test will easily be narrowed down to what kind of test you’re looking for in the first place. Each company offers different services, so make sure you check whether or not the company can track what you want to know about your body.

Next, look for CLIA and/or CAP certifications, which will let you know that you’re sending your samples to a reputable lab for analysis.

Lastly, take a quick look at the company’s reviews to see what their customer service experience is like, especially if the test results happen to be inaccurate.

What are the different types of sample collections?

Here are a few common types of sample

Finger-Prick Blood Samples

History: The finger-prick blood collection system typically used by diabetics to monitor blood sugar was originally developed in 1984 to help doctors collect blood samples from infants. Collecting blood samples from infants intravenously is impossible and incredibly painful. Since then, finger-prick blood tests have become more and more common.

Why it’s widely-used today: For diabetics, tracking glucose levels in the blood is one of the most common uses of finger-prick blood samples.

What blood samples can measure: Blood samples are used to measure glucose and vitamin levels. They can also be used to assess food sensitivities.

Other things to know: Inaccurate test results from finger-prick blood testing often occur because not enough blood was given during sample collection. Make sure to follow your testing kit instructions carefully for accurate results.

Saliva

History: Saliva testing was developed by researchers to create less invasive diagnostic practices. However, saliva testing owes most of its popularity to our collective curiosity about our ancestry. Saliva contains enzymes whose evolutionary characteristics can be traced back to our earliest ancestors, though the accuracy of at-home DNA saliva tests have been questioned.

Why it’s widely-used today: In 2020, at-home saliva test collection was crucial to detecting COVID-19 and preventing its spread. Otherwise, saliva is commonly used to measure the body’s hormone levels.

What saliva can measure: Saliva contains valuable information about hormones like cortisol, melatonin, estrogen and testosterone. These hormones are more concentrated in saliva than in your bloodstream.

Other things to know: Depending on which hormones you’re tracking, it may be best to collect your saliva samples at specific times of the day. For example, testosterone peaks in the morning shortly after you wake up, so it’s best to collect a saliva sample early in the morning. Do not drink, eat, brush your teeth, chew gum or smoke for 30 minutes before collecting a saliva sample as these activities can interfere with the purity of the sample.

Urine:

History: Urine is one of the oldest diagnostic tools dating back to the Victorian Era. In modern American times, urine testing was developed to help doctors detect gastrointestinal diseases and cancers. At-home urine testing became more common in the 1930’s to detect pregnancy and to help law enforcement officers detect drugs in people’s systems.

Why it’s widely-used today: The most common at-home urine test is the pregnancy test, which measures hormones to detect pregnancy. Drug testing by law enforcement is also a common use of urine tests. Urine tests can also be used to detect sexually transmitted infections (STIs), though a doctor still needs to prescribe medications to treat STIs.

What urine can measure: By testing urine, we can find a wealth of information about the adrenal glands, which create hormones and steroids that affect libido, pregnancy, stress, metabolism and overall wellness. Urine also contains important information about neurotransmitters, the chemical substances created by nerve cells when they communicate.

Other things to know: Urine tests usually rely on color-coded reaction strips, which can tell us instant results. Just as people who may be pregnant double-check their at-home test results with their doctor, it’s important to let a lab technician, doctor or nurse practitioner analyze results of your urine test to get the most accurate results.

Vaginal swab

History: The new kid on the block, at-home vaginal swabs have only been around since the early 2000’s. They were developed to prevent the spread of STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea. At-home vaginal swabs provide an easy alternative to regular STI testing at your doctor’s office.

Why it’s widely-used today: At-home vaginal swabs are primarily used to detect STIs.

What can a vaginal swab measure: A vaginal swab can detect the presence of bacterial infections.

Other things to know: While a vaginal swab can tell you whether or not you have an STI, only a doctor or nurse practitioner can prescribe antibiotics to treat chlamydia or gonorrhea.

What don’t at-home lab tests measure and why?

By now, you probably understand that at-home lab tests can test almost everything under the sun.

However, the information gathered from at-home lab tests are not substitutes for full diagnoses. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis and prescribe medication.

At-home lab tests are designed to give you supporting information that can improve your overall wellness, or prevent the development of serious illnesses or diseases in the first place.

Why should I know about my hormone and vitamin levels specifically?

Hormone and vitamin levels can dictate how we feel. What we experience as “energy,” for example, is really the combination of Retinol, Thiamine, Testosterone and Cortisol, or a number of other combinations.

Hormones and vitamins are a precious ecosystem that tells your body how to breathe, grow, drink and eat. An imbalance can point to a greater root cause, such as thyroid or adrenal gland issues. An at-home lab test may help you pinpoint that hormonal imbalance and find solutions before those issues get worse.

You might catch food allergies or sensitivities that aren’t severe enough for a doctor’s visit, but are uncomfortable enough to disrupt a pleasant dinner with friends and family.

If you started new medication and don’t feel its intended effects, at-home testing can provide deeper insights into possible root causes via hormone and vitamin levels.

What are the benefits of annual testing?

Annual testing can demystify mysterious symptoms that won’t go away, no matter how many different treatments, prescriptions and lifestyle changes you try. Annual testing also optimizes health, allowing you to keep track of LDL cholesterol levels (aka bad cholesterol) and prevent health conditions or diseases.

What are the blood tests most people should do every year?

Here’s a list of common tests that your doctor wants to check regularly:

A Red & White Blood Test evaluates overall health and detects conditions like leukemia, anemia and autoimmune deficiencies.
A Thyroid Test monitors the condition of the thyroid, which regulates the delicate dance of hormones in your body. The thyroid also regulates metabolism.
A Lipid Panel evaluates the fats and fatty substances that your body transforms into energy.
A Coagulation Panel shows if your blood clots at a regular rate.
A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel tests 14 substances, including glucose, calcium and sodium that tells you about your liver and kidney health, blood sugar levels and many more details about metabolism.
A Nutrition Blood Test helps us create nutritional plans by telling us which vitamins need a boost.
A Blood Sugar Test can help doctors diagnose diabetes. Knowing your blood sugar levels can help prevent diabetes altogether.
Enzyme Markers show you how to best support your enzymes, groups of proteins that aid chemical changes throughout the body.
Sexually Transmitted Infections Tests prevent the spread of HIV, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and many more diseases that can be spread during sex.
A DHEA-Sulfate Serum Test can show whether or not you’re experiencing prolonged fatigue and other symptoms due to a hormonal imbalance.

Is at-home lab testing a replacement for primary care?

No.

You still need to see your doctor for your check-ups, but you can arrive more informed --- and possibly in better health --- after tracking your levels with the help of a reputable at-home testing company.

What information will Base show me about my own body?

At Base, our goal is to empower and motivate you to make the best choices for your body and achieve your wellness goals. Hormones are tested through the saliva samples, while vitamin levels are found in blood samples. Depending on which wellness area you’re tracking, your test may include information about some or all of the following hormones and vitamins:

A complete list of hormones that Base tests:

Estriol (E3)\ Estriol is a type of estrogen produced by people with vaginas, typically during pregnancy. According to a study by Thorne Research, Inc, an estriol imbalance can cause insomnia, vaginal dryness and frequent urinary tract infections.
For people with vaginas, estrogen levels (including estriol) peaks in the morning, so it’s best to collect your saliva sample between 7-10am. It’s also best to collect a sample during day 3 of your period, which is the beginning of your menstrual cycle and when estrogen levels are at their peak.
Estradiol (E2)\ Estradiol is another type of estrogen produced by non-pregnant people. Tracking estradiol can inform you about irregular periods, infertility and mood.
Just like estriol, it’s best to test E2 between 7-10am, during the third day of your period.
Progesterone\ Progesterone is the hormone that supports people assigned female at birth (AFAB) to carry a fertilized egg during pregnancy. During ovulation, progesterone levels peak to get ready to support a baby, then they dip dramatically. Progesterone’s dramatic exit is what cues your period to start.
Balanced progesterone levels regulate mood, menstrual cycles and long-term fertility. Progesterone levels are highest while you’re ovulating, or 14 days after your period, so it’s best to test them during that time.
Testosterone\ For people of all genders, testosterone boosts sex drive. For people who are assigned male at birth (AMAB), testosterone production decreases naturally as you age. Testosterone injections might boost your overall mood, cure erectile dysfunction and help you gain muscle mass and strength.
For AFAB people, testosterone levels will be 1/10th to 1/20th of the levels of AMAB people. Imbalance in testosterone levels can cause facial hair growth, different body fat distribution and irritability.
DHEA\ Measuring levels of dehydroespiandosterone (DHEA) will help you find out if your thyroid and adrenal glands are working properly. Both estrogen and testosterone production depend on DHEA levels. If there is an imbalance of the other two hormones, understanding your DHEA levels may help.
Low DHEA levels can lead to diabetes, osteoporosis, dementia, vaginal atrophy, erectile dysfunction, and low libido in the long run.
Cortisol\ This infamous hormone is released as a stress response. Thanks, body! The reality is, continuous high levels of cortisol can lead to high blood pressure, anxiety, poor metabolism, weakened immune system and more serious conditions.
Cortisol levels are high in the morning, then dip at around 4pm. If you’re having trouble unwinding after a long workday, you might want to collect your saliva sample in the afternoon to get a better understanding of how to reduce stress after the workday ends.
Melatonin?

A complete list of vitamins that Base tests:

How Are Vitamins Tested?

Vitamin levels can be detected from blood samples. Unlike hormones, vitamin levels stay at a pretty steady rate. Morning is generally the best time to collect a blood sample. If you were testing vitamin levels at the doctor’s office, you would likely be asked to fast for 8-48 hours to get a good understanding of baseline levels before eating any food. Right when you wake up, you would have technically already fasted for 8-10 hours, so mornings are the best time to collect your blood sample.

Vitamin A (Retinol)

Retinol is critical for vision, regular appetite, and cell growth. Symptoms of retinol deficiency include recurring infections, dry skin, dry or inflamed eyes, and appetite loss. High concentrations of retinol can lead to renal failure and bone fractures in the long run, while low concentrations can result in inefficient fat absorption in the body.

Vitamin A (Beta Carotene)

Just like retinol, a Beta Carotene deficiency can lead to irritable mood, dry or inflamed eyes, and loss of appetite. Prolonged imbalance of Beta Carotene can lead to bone density loss.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Some symptoms of thiamine deficiency: poor sleep, low energy, irritable mood, unexplained weight loss, poor reflexes, and numbness in your arms and legs. People who had or currently have alcoholism and anorexia are more likely to experience B1 deficiency.

Thiamine deficiency is treatable, but underdiagnosed. If you’ve exhausted all your treatment options with your doctor, but still can’t shake those pesky symptoms, your Vitamin B1 levels might be to blame.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Riboflavin gives our bodies energy and manages cellular function, growth and development. The good bacteria in your large intestines produces riboflavin for the body, but an unbalanced diet can lower Riboflavin levels significantly.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin, Niacinamide)\ Vitamin B3 can boost levels of good HDL cholesterol while combating bad LDL cholesterol. Long-term niacin deficiency can lead to high cholesterol, but doses that are too high can lead to liver damage, gastrointestinal problems and glucose intolerance.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)\ Pantothenic Acid is used by the body to break down fats and turn it into energy. Deficiency is rare, but an imbalance could cause tiredness, low energy, sleeping problems, restlessness, irritability and loss of appetite. Limited studies show that pantothenic acid can reduce LDL cholesterol, though this research is still pretty new to the wellness game.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)\ Vitamin B6 maintains the nervous system, the skin and the health of red blood cells. Low levels of Pyridoxine can be a sign of an overactive thyroid. Conditions like alcoholism and heart failure can cause a B6 deficiency.
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Biotin has been trending because of its ability to promote healthy hair, skin and nails, but biotin also assists enzymes in breaking down fats, carbohydrates and food.

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)

Folic acid is the MVP of all vitamins during pregnancy because it promotes healthy red blood cells during rapid growth. It also helps from DNA and RNA during pregnancy, which is why it’s necessary for healthy fetal development.