The Best At-Home Blood Tests Compared
Walk-In Lab Cardio-Metabolic Profile Blood- Spot ZRT Test Kit
Self-collection
- Cholesterol
- Hormone levels
- A1C
- Allergies
Within 5 to 7 days of specimen receipt
No
Someone wanting to test for a specific condition without a doctor or lab visit.
imaware Mens Health Wellness
Self-collection
- Men’s health
- Women’s health
- Celiac
- Food allergies
- Hormone levels
7 business days from sample receipt
No
Men or women who want a comprehensive testing option.
Omegaquant 3 Index Basic
Self-collection
- Omega-3 Index
- Vitamin D
- DHA
- A1C
2 to 4 weeks from sample receipt, though some test results will be available within 3 to 5 days
No
Someone interested in their nutritional health.
About At-Home Blood Tests
Purpose of at-home blood tests
The purpose of at-home blood testing is to check for many common conditions, such as diabetes, viral and bacterial infections, anemia, and some types of cancer. These tests can help you and your medical provider monitor your overall health, as blood tests are widely used as part of an overall preventative health screening strategy.
What do the tests measure?
At-home blood tests can be used for a variety of reasons. For example, you can do a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test, or you might want to do a broad-spectrum blood test that’s geared towards men and includes total testosterone, vitamin D, and cholesterol. Other examples of blood tests include Hemoglobin A1C ZRT, a rheumatoid arthritis test, or blood tests that check various biomarkers linked to cardiovascular health.
How do at-home blood tests work?
If you’ve ever seen someone with diabetes do a fingerprick to check their blood sugar, then you have a good idea of how at-home blood tests work. Many types of blood tests only require a couple of drops of blood, making it possible to collect your own samples at home.
When you order an at-home blood test, you’ll usually be sent a kit that contains everything you need to get your blood sample, and to ship back your specimen so that it remains safe and sterile. You’ll get a lancet to take the blood, and some sort of strip or small container to collect the blood drops.
All blood tests might have different specifications or directions, so be sure to follow instructions carefully. For example, you may have to fast for some, or send back the sample ASAP.
Once the provider receives your sample, your blood will be tested and you’ll receive some type of report either online, via app, or in the mail.
Which at-home blood test should you choose?
The blood tests we selected are just as effective as the tests you’d do in-person at a medical clinic, lab or hospital. All these home test kits come complete with everything you need, including a comprehensive step-by-step guide to ensure your sample is collected correctly.
As long as you follow the instructions that come with your kit, you can expect the same results you’d get if you did the same test in a traditional setting since these tests are processed in CLIA-certified medical labs.
Benefits and Downsides of At-Home Blood Tests
At-home blood testing is different from being tested for by a medical professional. Benefits of at-home testing include:
- Convenient: At-home blood testing eliminates all those office and lab visits,
- User-friendly: Test kits are designed to simplify the testing process, often providing detailed instructions and pre-paid labels to mail samples to a laboratory. giving you the ability to order your own tests, with results delivered to you in as little as a few days.
- Upfront pricing: Testing companies often provide clear pricing for at-home blood tests. There are usually no unexpected fees for at-home tests.
Downsides of at-home testing include:
- User error: You could also contaminate the sample if you don’t follow the directions exactly. Or, if you have calloused fingers, it could impact your ability to get a sample.
- Testing options may be limited: Not all blood tests work with just a fingerprick amount of blood.
- Not good for kids: Many at-home blood tests are for adults only.
The Best At-Home Blood Tests
To compile our list of the best at-home blood tests, we carefully researched dozens of companies and tests to find the best combination of cost, turn-around time, and ease of use.
Methodology
At-home blood tests were reviewed based on value, convenience, and availability of tests. We also considered the services available, certifications and lab safety, and professional support. These overall factors are based on data including price, insurance acceptance, comprehensiveness of tests, and how quickly you can get results and speak to a doctor. Blood test selections have been screened by Testing.com’s Medical Review Board.
Walk-In Lab
Self-collection
Blood
Within 5 to 7 days of specimen receipt
- Cholesterol
- Hormone levels
- A1C
- Allergies
Associated with fully accredited, CLIA-certified, medical reference laboratories
No
No
No
Founded in 2009, Walk-In Lab offers dozens of lab tests that you can order without a doctor’s requisition, including hormone, STD, vitamin and mineral, and blood disorder tests. The company sells over 20 at-home blood tests that use blood spot testing, such as the Essential Thyroid Blood Spot Profile, which is used to screen for hypo or hyperthyroidism; the Allergix IgG4 Food Antibodies test that screens for 30 common food allergies; and the Cardio Metabolic Blood Spot Profile that assesses your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
The process with Walk-In Lab is pretty simple: Order the blood tests you want online, perform your at-home blood test, and ship back specimens in a prepaid shipping envelope.
Walk-In Lab doesn’t do the actual testing – they work with leading CLIA-certified laboratories. Once the results are in, they are uploaded to your secure online account, usually within 24 to 48 hours of your specimen collection. Note that some tests may take longer; each test will offer an expected turnaround time.
The company maintains a strict adherence to HIPAA privacy regulations and is accredited through the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. Reviewers rave about being able to manage their own health and get speedy service and results – rather than waiting to see their doctor or for hard-to-get lab appointments. Some people report results taking a bit longer than promised. However, most are also impressed with Walk-in Lab’s customer service.
If you need assistance, customer service reps are available by phone and email Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Service is available in English and Spanish.
WHAT’S GREAT?
- Don’t have to wait for doctor or lab appointments
- The kit has everything you need and shipping back is simple
- CLIA-certified labs process the specimen
WHAT’S NOT SO GREAT?
- You have to pay out of pocket
- Some users report slower than promised lab reports
- Some coupon codes will not work for home test kits
Why is Walk-in Lab’s at-home blood test the best overall?
Walk-In Labs only works with highly reputable labs to ensure the most accurate results possible, and users are typically pleased with the customer service.
Who should use Walk-in Lab’s at-home blood test?
If you have a concern and want bloodwork, but don’t want to first have to see your doctor or wait weeks for a lab appointment, Walk-in Lab’s at-home tests can speed up the process.
imaware
Self-collection
Blood
7 business days from sample receipt
- Men’s health
- Women’s health
- Celiac
- Food allergies
- Hormone levels
Uses CLIA / CAP-accredited labs
No
No
No
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, imaware provides a wide range of at-home health testing kits designed to help you and your health care provider monitor your health and wellness. The men’s and women’s health kits offer a good selection of tests for each gender.
All imaware test kits are processed at domestic CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited labs using multiple biomarkers to optimize the accuracy of your results and minimize the risk of false negatives. For most tests, you can expect to receive your personalized test report within seven days of the kit arriving at imaware’s labs, although turn-around times sometimes take longer, as per user reviews. Some users also question the accuracy of certain tests or say their reports were inconclusive.
The company doesn’t have a customer service phone line or real-time customer service chat, which can be frustrating if you need an immediate answer about your test kit. The only way consumers can reach imaware is via email, and responses can take one business day during the week or three business days if you send an inquiry on a holiday or weekend.
WHAT’S GREAT?
- Easy-to-read reports
- Good selection of test options, especially the men’s and women’s health tests
- Uses CLIA/CAP-accredited labs
WHAT’S NOT SO GREAT?
- Some users report slower turnaround time than promised
- Reviewers indicated that sometimes tests are inconclusive or even inaccurate
- No customer hotline
Why is imaware the best for men’s and women’s health at-home blood testing?
Imaware has a good selection of tests specific to men’s and women’s health, or you may choose to test for just one specific issue.
Who should use imaware’s at-home blood test?
imaware’s gender-specific tests offer a good baseline for both men and women. The Women’s Health kit covers heart health, thyroid function, inflammation levels and diabetes risk, while the Men’s Health kit measures cholesterol, inflammation, iron, vitamin D, testosterone, and screens for prostate cancer and diabetes.
Omegaquant
Self-collection
Blood
2 to 4 weeks from sample receipt, though some test results will be available within 3 to 5 days
- Omega-3 Index
- Vitamin D
- DHA
- A1C
Processed in a central CLIA-certified laboratory
No
No
No
Based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, OmegaQuant offers several at-home test kits based on the Omega-3 Index, an innovative, standardized health testing parameter created in 2004. This fatty acid profile check is designed to help you assess your current levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are linked to cardiovascular health. Omegaquant also has at-home blood test kits to check Vitamin D levels, A1C, DHA (for pregnant or nursing mothers), and more.
You order your test kit online, and shipping takes approximately three to five days. It’s sent to you with a prepaid shipping envelope to return your blood sample after you collect it. Once it’s received, it can take up to four weeks to get your report, though some users get results in as little as five days. The report will include personalized diet and supplement recommendations, but it’s always best to follow up with your doctor.
What’s especially appealing about OmegaQuant is that the pricing is very competitive, even for common home blood tests like A1C or Vitamin D. In addition, OmegaQuant home blood test kits are processed at a central CLIA-certified lab.
On the downside, there doesn’t seem to be rhyme or reason as to why some users’ results are so slow to arrive (though the website does warn it can take up to four weeks). The other issue is what do you do with the results once you have them? It could be a missed opportunity for OmegaQuant to not partner with a physician or nutritionist for consultation.
As for customer service, there is a toll-free customer service number or you can email with questions.
WHAT’S GREAT?
- Get a good idea if your Omega-3 levels are in good range
- Pricing is budget-friendly
- The process is simple and straightforward
WHAT’S NOT SO GREAT?
- Limited types of blood tests offered
- There’s no follow-up with a doctor or nutritionist; you’ll have to do that on your own
- Results could take a while
Why is OmegaQuant’s at-home blood test the best for nutritional health?
The company’s founder, Dr. Bill Harris, is one of the world’s best-known experts in the field of omega-3 fatty acid research.
Who should use OmegaQuant’s at-home blood test?
Those who are interested in checking their levels of Omega-3 (or other nutritional levels) to decide if a change in diet or supplementing is needed.
Interpreting At-Home Test Results
Generally, results from at-home blood testing show various levels. Because the blood comes from blood vessels in your extremities, the tests are not invasive, but still adequate for getting usable blood samples.
Labs then process the samples and offer a detailed report to help you decide if follow up is needed with a physician.
Talking to your doctor is the best way to understand what a blood test result means for your health. Important considerations related to the results of at-home blood testing include:
- Some tests require follow-up: If your levels are outside of the normal range, at-home tests may require follow-up with a medical professional.
- Instructions need to be followed to the letter: Every blood test is different, so pay attention to if you need to fast, how to store your sample and how quickly it must be sent back.
- Testing may cause anxiety: Getting the results of at-home blood testing can cause anxiety. Consider reaching out to your doctor, a mental health professional, or a support organization to get support for the emotional impacts of testing.
