Lets Get Tested Testosterone
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.
A quick look at the best at-home testosterone kits
- Best overall: LetsGetChecked
- Best medical support: Everlywell
- Best for testing blood and saliva: myLAB Box
- Most affordable: Verisana
- Most detailed results: ZRT Labs
- Most personalized results: Cerascreen
A decrease in testosterone levels is a normal part of aging for people assigned male at birth, especially after the age of 30.
But low testosterone levels can occur in people of any age. An underlying health problem like obesity, a pituitary gland disorder, or an injury can reduce testosterone levels. Cancer treatments may also be a cause.
One way to check your testosterone level is to take an at-home testosterone test. In this article, we'll go over our picks for some of the best at-home testosterone test kits. We'll also cover the symptoms and diagnosis of low testosterone.
In adults, symptoms of low testosterone levels (hypogonadism) include:
- erectile dysfunction
- lowered sex drive
- decreased muscle mass
- decreased growth of body hair
- fatigue
- hot flashes
- trouble concentrating
Talk with your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms and suspect that you may have decreased testosterone. Although low testosterone is often a normal consequence of aging, you could have a serious underlying condition that needs treatment.
Learn about hot flashes in men.
If you're taking an at-home testosterone test, the type of collection method used to test testosterone levels may vary. Different types of collection methods may include blood samples, urine samples, or saliva samples.
Testosterone levels vary throughout the day and are highest in the morning. For this reason, your test instructions may say that you should collect samples between 7:00 and 10:00 a.m.
A blood test for testosterone can tell your doctor how much free testosterone is circulating in your blood. It can also show the total amount of the hormone in your body. One older 2012 study indicates that measuring free testosterone is a better way to diagnose hypogonadism accurately.
Many factors can affect total testosterone levels. High or low levels do not necessarily indicate a clinical problem.
You may be tempted to test your testosterone levels using one of the home testosterone testing products you've seen advertised. Before you try a test kit, make sure you understand:
- how it works
- how reliable it is
- what information it will give you
- what to do with your results
For the brand's listed, we reviewed each of their medical and business practice's, including:
- their ratings, reviews, and accreditations from the Better Business Bureau
- the health claims they make, and whether or not they're acceptable and accurate
- the accuracy of results and if they provide assistance after results are delivered
Many products are available for testing your hormone levels at home before seeing your doctor. All of these examine either your saliva, urine, or blood. How you collect your sample and how many samples you take may vary depending on the product.
All home test kits require you to mail your collections to a certified lab for testing. You may get the results within a few days or a few weeks.
Best overall
LetsGetChecked
Price: $69-$179
LetsGetChecked offers testosterone testing kits that use a finger prick to measure testosterone levels in the blood. After you collect your sample, you send it to the lab on the same day you collect it using prepaid shipping supplies.
Within 2 to 5 days, your results will be available to you online. If you have questions, there's a team of nurses available 24/7 to help explain your results.
LetsGetChecked offers four at-home tests that include testosterone testing:
- Testosterone Test ($69)
- Male Hormone Test ($139)
- Male Hormone Plus ($159)
- Male Hormone Advanced ($179)
Pros:
- testing labs are CLIA approved and CAP-accredited
- test results arrive quickly and digitally
- the company has a team of nurses that can help explain your results
Cons:
- tests require a finger prick
- testing is limited to certain days of the week (samples should not be collected or mailed Friday through Sunday)
- results are not descriptive
Best medical support
Everlywell
Price: $49-$199
Everlywell's at-home testosterone kit tests your saliva to see if you're producing the average amount of testosterone for your age. After you collect your saliva sample, you mail it off to the Everlywell labs in prepaid shipping, and within days you'll receive online results that indicate whether your testosterone levels are normal, low, or high.
Everlywell offers two testing kits that test testosterone levels:
- Testosterone Test ($49)
- Men's Health Test ($199)
Pros:
- some tests (men's health test) measures multiple hormones
- results are easy to read
- collection samples are pain-free
Cons:
- doesn't give specific time frame for results
- tests aren't available in some states
Best for testing blood and saliva
myLAB Box
Price: $259
myLAB Box offers an at-home men's health test that measures testosterone levels, as well as cortisol, estradiol, and DHEA. Like other tests in this list, you collect your samples — both saliva and a finger prick — and send them off to their labs. The company claims the finger prick is 100 percent pain-free, and results should arrive online within 5 days of sending results to the lab.
Pros:
- pain-free sample collection
- tests are FDA registered
- multiple hormones are tested
Cons:
- tests aren't available outside of United States
- tests are more expensive than other brands
Most affordable
Verisana
Price: $49.95-$219.95
If you're experiencing symptoms of depression, potency issues, weight gain, increased body fat, or fatigue, Verisana's testosterone testing kit might be for you. Verisana uses saliva to test testosterone levels. Once you collect your sample and mail it to the lab, Verisana will send you a detailed report with your results.
Verisana offers a few tests that measure testosterone, including:
- Comprehensive Hormone Check ($219.95)
- Male Hormone Health Check ($149.95)
- Weight Hormone Check ($149.95)
- Testosterone Saliva Check ($49.95)
Pros:
- once ordered, tests are delivered immediately
- company gives results based on age
- company offers multiple tests that measure testosterone
Cons:
- there are no medical professionals available to answer questions about results
- tests are unavailable in some states
Most detailed results
ZRT Labs
Price: varies based on insurance
ZRT Labs offers a number of at-home testing kits to test testosterone levels. Their kits use either saliva, dried blood, or urine samples to test for multiple hormones, including testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, estradiol, and more. After you collect your sample and send it back to their lab, you will receive a detailed assessment with measurements of how much of each hormone is present in your body.
Pros:
- some insurance providers cover certain ZRT Lab tests
- company offers multiple tests with detailed results
Cons:
- tests are more expensive than others
- some tests require finger pricks
Most personalized results
Cerascreen
Price: $59
Cerascreen offers quick and easy testing by using saliva to measure testosterone levels. Once you take your saliva sample, you set up an online account with Cerascreen and answer a questionnaire that will help give you personalized recommendations with your results. Results take 3 to 5 days to return to you via an online portal.
Pros:
- results are given with personalized medical advice
- tests use saliva, which is painless
- tests are shipped same-day if ordered by 2pm
Cons:
- testosterone tests are new for the company, so there are few reviews
- tests aren't available in all states
Before you rely on the results of a testosterone home test kit, you should be aware of the accuracy of salivary testing versus blood testing.
Testing saliva is easier and less invasive than drawing blood. Still, testosterone in saliva samples can be affected by how they're collected and stored, so researchers are interested in whether this method is reliable.
The results and expert opinions are mixed.
Some studies and reviews suggest that saliva testing is preferable because it's less stressful for the patient. A
But there has not been enough analysis of commercial home testing kits. Whether they deliver accurate, reliable, and unvarying results has not been confirmed.
If you decide to measure your testosterone levels with a home kit, you should be prepared to take any necessary next steps. The laboratory results should come with an explanation of your measured testosterone level. If your level is considered normal, but you still have symptoms that concern you, talk with your doctor.
If your results come back as lower than average, make an appointment to see your doctor before trying any home remedies. A variety of testosterone supplements on the market carry risks, and they can cause side effects like:
- sleep apnea
- an increased risk of heart disease
- prostate growth
- limited sperm production
Low testosterone can sometimes be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. This is yet another good reason to see your doctor if your levels are low.
Make an appointment with your doctor if your test results show low testosterone or if you're experiencing symptoms of low testosterone. Symptoms can include:
- low libido
- difficulty with erections
- loss of muscle mass
- hair loss
- fatigue
- weight gain
- thinning of bone mass
- unexplained changes in mood
Having low testosterone levels may be a regular part of your aging process. Alternately, you might have a condition that's causing your levels to drop. In either case, the best solution is to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and learn about your treatment options.
Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/testosterone-test-kits
0 Komentar