Everlywell Test Review: I Tried the At-Home Testosterone Kit

Hey there! Tiffany here. As a healthcare and wellness junkie, I‘m always on the lookout for the latest innovations that make staying on top of your health easier. So when I heard about Everlywell and their at-home lab testing, I knew I had to check them out for myself.

In case you‘re not familiar, Everlywell is a digital health company that offers a variety of at-home health tests that you can take on your own and send to a certified lab for professional analysis. They have tests for all sorts of things like food sensitivities, cholesterol, STDs, thyroid function, vitamin D levels, and much more.

As someone who hates needles and taking time off work to go to the doctor, I was intrigued by how simple and convenient Everlywell makes the whole lab testing process. But I was especially curious about their at-home testosterone test kit, as low T is something that runs in my family.

I decided to order the test and see how it stacks up to traditional in-lab blood testing. In this post, I‘ll share my honest review of the testosterone test and Everlywell as a whole, so you can decide if their kits are right for you!

Why Test Testosterone Levels?

First off, let‘s talk about why testing testosterone is so important, particularly for men. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and it plays a huge role in men‘s overall health. It impacts everything from muscle mass and strength to sex drive, energy levels, bone density, red blood cell production, and more.

Starting around age 30, a man‘s testosterone levels naturally start to decline. According to the American Urological Association, about 2 out of 10 men over 60 have low testosterone. While a gradual dip is a normal part of aging, abnormally low T levels can negatively impact your quality of life.

Common signs and symptoms of low testosterone include:

• Low libido and erectile dysfunction
• Reduced muscle mass and strength
• Increased body fat, especially in the belly
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Mood changes like depression or irritability
• Low semen volume
• Loss of body hair or beard growth
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things

Sound familiar? If you‘ve noticed any of these changes in your body or energy levels, it‘s worth checking your testosterone levels. Catching low T early can help you make lifestyle changes or pursue treatment options to improve your symptoms and overall health.

How Everlywell‘s Testosterone Test Works

One of the biggest selling points of Everlywell is just how convenient it is compared to traditional lab testing. You can order any of their 30+ tests online and have it shipped right to your door. No need to make a doctor‘s appointment or take time off work.

Here‘s how the testosterone test works:

1. Order the kit online for $49. Everlywell‘s site is super easy to use and ordering took me less than 3 minutes. They accept FSA/HSA payments and the price is comparable to most insurance copays. Shipping was free.

2. My test arrived within a few days in a discreet box. Everything I needed was in the kit – instructions, collection tube, return envelope, etc. No extra supplies necessary.

3. I registered my kit online with the unique ID code so my results could be linked to me. This was quick and painless.

4. To take the test, I had to provide a saliva sample first thing in the morning before eating, drinking or brushing my teeth. This was honestly way easier and less invasive than a blood draw. You simply spit into the tube up to the fill line.

5. I placed my sample in the biohazard bag and pre-paid shipping envelope, then dropped it in the mail. Everlywell emailed me when the lab received my sample.

6. After 4 days, I got an email alert that my test results were ready. I logged into my Everlywell portal and reviewed my personalized results, which showed my testosterone level and where it fell on the reference range for men my age.

All in all, the process couldn‘t have been smoother. I was really impressed by how efficient and well-designed everything was. Much better than the hassle of going to a physical lab!

Everlywell Testosterone Test Accuracy & Results

As cool as the convenience factor is, I was curious to see how Everlywell‘s at-home testosterone results would compare to the "gold standard" of traditional blood testing. Was the saliva sample legit? Or would some accuracy be sacrificed?

Based on available research, it seems that saliva testing is a reliable way to measure testosterone. A 2019 study in the Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine compared saliva vs blood testosterone results and found a strong correlation between the two methods. Another 2014 study concluded that "saliva is a reliable alternative to serum for testosterone measurement in adult men and women."

Everlywell‘s testosterone test uses liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), which is the most advanced and accurate methodology available. This is the same type of testing used in many high-complexity labs. Everlywell also only partners with CLIA-certified labs, which means they have to adhere to the highest standards of quality and reliability.

So in terms of accuracy and scientific legitimacy, I felt confident that Everlywell wasn‘t cutting any corners. But I wanted to see how my results turned out.

Here‘s a screenshot of what the testosterone results look like in the Everlywell dashboard:

[Insert screenshot of Everlywell testosterone results]

As you can see, it shows your testosterone level in ng/dL and plots where you fall on the reference range for your age and gender. It also gives a brief overview of what testosterone does in the body and why levels may be high or low.

My result was 495 ng/dL, which put me right in the middle of the normal range for a 30-something male. The reference range for men my age was 264-916 ng/dL.

Along with the quantitative result, Everlywell provided some insights into what may cause testosterone levels to dip and the symptoms of low T. If my level had been abnormally low, I would have had the option to connect with one of Everlywell‘s partner physicians to discuss the results in more depth and see if further testing was warranted.

Overall, I thought the results were presented in a clear, user-friendly way that gave helpful context without being overwhelming. It was reassuring to have an objective measure of my testosterone level and know I was in a healthy range for now. I‘ll definitely do a follow-up test in a year or two to keep tabs on things.

Customer Reviews & Experiences

But hey, don‘t just take my word for it. I always like to see what other customers are saying before I try a new health product. And in the case of Everlywell, the vast majority of reviews are super positive.

On Everlywell‘s site, their testosterone test has over 2,000 reviews with an average 4.6 out of 5 star rating. Here are a few testimonials that stood out to me:

"I have used Everlywell 4 times now to check my testosterone level, as it has been low in the past. The process is so simple and not having to go into the lab for a blood test is amazing. I highly recommend this company." – Brian L.

"The at home test was unbelievably easy. The packaging was professional and instructions were very clear. Once I mailed my sample I had results in 4 days. The dashboard was easy to use and it was nice to have the results explained." – Chris M.

"I had concerns about my energy levels and libido post-40. Turns out my testosterone was on the very low end of the normal range. I had no idea until I used Everlywell‘s test. I‘m now working with my doctor on a plan to get my levels up. I never would have looked into it without this easy at-home kit." – Steve R.

Of course, there were a handful of less enthusiastic reviews from people who thought the kit was a bit pricey or the shipping speeds could be faster. But the vast majority of users seemed more than satisfied with the convenience, accuracy and overall value of Everlywell‘s testosterone test.

Other Everlywell Tests to Check Out

While the testosterone test is one of Everlywell‘s most popular among men, they have a huge variety of other at-home tests that check different key markers of health. Here are a few others I‘ve personally used and recommend:

• Food Sensitivity Test ($159): Measures your body‘s IgG immune response to 96 different foods to help pinpoint food sensitivities or intolerances. I learned I was sensitive to cow‘s milk and eggs which explained my constant bloating!

• Men‘s Health Test ($199): Checks testosterone plus other key hormones like cortisol, DHEA-S and estradiol to give a fuller picture of overall male hormonal health.

• Thyroid Test ($99): Evaluates thyroid function by measuring TSH, free T3, free T4 and TPO antibodies. Super helpful if you have unexplained fatigue, weight changes or brain fog.

• Vitamin D & Inflammation Test ($99): Measures your blood vitamin D levels plus hs-CRP, an inflammatory marker that‘s linked to heart disease and autoimmune issues.

• Sleep & Stress Test ($249): Checks your cortisol rhythm and melatonin levels throughout the day to give insights into your sleep patterns and stress response.

The science and methodology behind all of Everlywell‘s tests are legit. They only use CLIA-certified labs and scientifically-validated biomarkers. The kits themselves are sleek and well-designed with easy-to-follow instructions. Shipping is fast and free both ways.

In terms of privacy, Everlywell takes all the steps you‘d expect to protect your information and keep things confidential. They use 256-bit encryption, comply with HIPAA laws, and won‘t share your results with anyone unless you authorize it. All the good stuff.

Prices vary based on the specific test, but they range from $49 to $299 on average. While not exactly cheap, Everlywell is still way more affordable than paying out of pocket at a traditional lab without insurance. Many of their tests are HSA/FSA eligible as well.

Final Thoughts: Are Everlywell Tests Worth It?

So, is Everlywell legit? After trying 5+ of their tests myself, I can confidently say that this company is the real deal. The ease and convenience of being able to test key health markers from the privacy of home is a huge benefit.

The testosterone test specifically is a great option for any man wanting to be proactive about his hormonal health. It‘s accurate, easy to use, and gives you a baseline to discuss with your doctor. For less than $50, it‘s a no-brainer investment in your wellbeing.

To be clear, Everlywell tests are meant to be a starting point for a conversation about your health, not a final diagnosis. You should always share any abnormal results with your primary care doc to determine the next best steps in terms of further testing or treatment.

But for routine health monitoring and checking in on things like testosterone, vitamin D, thyroid, food sensitivities, etc? Everlywell is my new go-to.

I love having the power to test what I want, when I want, without the hassle or awkwardness of going to a physical lab or doctor‘s office. It‘s helping me be way more proactive and educated about my own health, which I think is priceless.

The only real downsides I‘ve found are that Everlywell doesn‘t accept insurance (although prices are in line with most copays) and the turnaround times can extend up to 7-10 days during busy periods. But those are pretty small trade-offs for the huge convenience factor in my book.

Bottom line? If you‘re a health-conscious person looking for an easy, legit way to test and track key wellness markers at home, Everlywell is 100% worth checking out. I was thoroughly impressed by their testosterone kit and am a big fan of this company‘s mission to make lab testing more accessible to everyone.

Two thumbs up from me! Have you tried Everlywell? I‘d love to hear about your experience in the comments.