{"id":556183945289,"title":"Everlywell Review: Are Their Tests Accurate?","created_at":"2022-02-10T22:05:23-05:00","body_html":"\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\/\/ \u003c![CDATA[\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"Article\",\n \"headline\": \"Everlywell Review: Are Their Tests Accurate?\",\n \"keywords\": \"everlywell, everlywell reviews, everlywell review, everlywell food sensitivity test, everlywell test, everlywell covid test, everlywell food sensitivity test reviews, everlywell food sensitivity, is everlywell legit, everlywell food test, everlywell food sensitivity reviews, everlywell metabolism test\",\n \"description\": \"Our MD and research team review Everlywell’s Food Sensitivity Test, COVID-19 Test and Metabolism Test based on medical research to determine if they’re likely to be accurate and effective.\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/everlywell-review\",\n\"author\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Taylor Graber\",\n \"honorificSuffix\": \"M.D.\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/taylor-graber\",\n \"sameAs\": [\n \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/taylor-j-graber-md-81351642\/\",\n \"https:\/\/www.asapivs.com\/\"\n ],\n \"jobTitle\": \"Content Partner\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"medicine, health, anesthesiology, iv therapy, science, drugs, pharmaceutical, medical research, scientific research, medical journals, entrepreneurship, healthcare, orthopedic surgery, biomedical engineering\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": [\n \"University of California San Diego\",\n \"Arizona University\",\n \"University of Arizona College of Medicine\"\n ]\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Calloway Cook\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/calloway-cook\",\n \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/calloway-cook\/\",\n \"jobTitle\": \"President\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"entrepreneurship, dietary supplements, herbal supplements, eCommerce, medical research\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": \"S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University\"\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n }\n],\n\"editor\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"DJ Mazzoni\",\n \"honorificSuffix\": [\n \"M.S.\",\n \"R.D.\",\n \"C.D.N.\",\n \"C.S.C.S.\"\n ],\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/dj-mazzoni\",\n \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dj-mazzoni-rd-cdn-cscs-00a33038\/\",\n \"jobTitle\": \"Medical Reviewer\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"exercise, drugs, pharmaceutical, health, workout, strength and conditioning, nutrition, dietetics, medicine, medical research, scientific research, scientific method, healthcare, patient care, wellness\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": [\n \"State University of New York College Oswego\",\n \"D’Youville College\"\n ]\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n},\n\"image\": {\n\"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\"url\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Everlywell_Thumbnail.png?v=1644549721\",\n\"width\": \"2027\",\n\"height\": \"2027\"\n},\n\"citation\": [\n\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5004213\/\", \n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30370459\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33983916\/\",\n\"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/us\/en\/home\/clinical\/diagnostic-testing\/point-of-care\/accula-rapid-pcr-system\/find-a-rapid-pcr-test-provider.html\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/12970286\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27714896\/\",\n\"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/hormonal-imbalance-quiz\"\n],\n\"mentions\": [{\n \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"hormone levels\"\n},\n{\n\"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"IgG\"\n},\n{\n\"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"IgE\"\n}\n],\n\"datePublished\": \"2022-02-11\",\n\"copyrightHolder\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n},\n\"publisher\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/\",\n \"description\": \"Illuminate Labs is the most transparent supplement company in the U.S., and is a leading publisher of research-based health information.\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"supplements, science, nutrition, exercise, health, medication, pharmaceutical, wellness, diet, weight loss, medical research\",\n \"publishingPrinciples\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/editorial-guidelines\",\n \"memberOf\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"U.S. Chamber of Commerce\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.uschamber.com\/\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Certified B Corp\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/en-us\/\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Natural Products Association\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.npanational.org\/\"\n }\n ], \n \"logo\": {\n \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Illuminate_Labs_Favicon_48x48_7595c3cc-e27b-47b8-a4fe-edcc7ed9b29a.png?v=1666502785\", \n \"width\": 48,\n \"height\": 48\n},\n \"foundingDate\": \"2019-01-30\",\n \"sameAs\": [\n \"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/illuminatelabs\",\n \"https:\/\/twitter.com\/illuminatelabs\",\n \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/illuminate-labs-supplements\",\n \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCpgSJAsIPb-fZ25djtTxBEA\"\n ]\n }\n}\n\/\/ ]]\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Everlywell_Review_Article_Header_Image_Optimized.png?v=1644549525\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eDisclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice, and is just the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regards to medical testing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"dc\"\u003eE\u003c\/span\u003everlywell provides convenient at-home test kits for a variety of health parameters like food allergy and metabolism. The company claims their tests are accurate but there have been some questions raised by the health media about whether Everlywell can reliably provide medical insights.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIn this article we’ll review Everlywell’s most popular tests based on medical research to determine if they’re likely to be effective.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEverlywell Food Sensitivity Test Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe most popular test, and the one which has received the most controversy, is Everlywell’s Food Sensitivity Test.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEverlywell claims to test for an antibody response to 204 common foods that may be “causing you discomfort.” By testing for and eliminating these foods from the diet, a patient would theoretically have an improved quality of life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe idea works on paper, but the problem is that Everlywell uses the less accurate type of food allergy testing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEverlywell tests for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, and medical research \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5004213\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ehas shown\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e that these antibodies do not play a causal role in food hypersensitivity reactions. The linked study, published in the Advances in Dermatology and Allergology journal, directly states that “laboratory tests based on the titrations of sIgG” (which is what Everlywell performs) “should be considered as insignificant in the diagnosis of food allergy”.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWhile this type of testing is a marker of immune response, it cannot accurately diagnose allergy\/sensitivity because even healthy non-allergic patients produce IgG antibodies in response to common food allergens.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe type of tests that are more commonly used for food allergy are called immunoglobulin E (IgE) tests, and this is the type of testing that would likely be ordered if a patient’s doctor referred them to an allergist office for food allergy testing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMedical research \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30370459\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ehas shown\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e that IgE-mediation is what causes the adverse responses to food proteins that create discomfort in the patient.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe find it strange that Everlywell doesn’t address this distinction on their site, or at least provide some line of reasoning as to why they order IgG tests rather than IgE for food allergy testing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe believe that more data is always better in treating patients, but we wouldn’t recommend Everlywell Food Sensitivity Test because it seems to use a type of testing that’s not backed by medical literature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAnother downside to Everlywell’s test is that it must be paid out of pocket, while patients with medical insurance can often get an IgE test from an allergist office at a significantly discounted rate, or even free, if there’s a documented medical need.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe recommend that patients speak with their doctor about getting an IgE test if they’re experiencing allergic symptoms in response to foods.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEverlywell COVID Test Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEverlywell offers a COVID-19 test, which uses the Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method. This has been shown \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33983916\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ein recent medical research\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e to be more accurate than antigen testing, and is becoming the standard COVID test.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFor patients with high discretionary income, this may be a good option since they can stay at home and minimize the risk of exposing themselves or others while ordering the test if they suspect they have COVID.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFor patients with low discretionary income in the U.S., this exact same test is available for free at many locations. ThermoFisher’s website \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/us\/en\/home\/clinical\/diagnostic-testing\/point-of-care\/accula-rapid-pcr-system\/find-a-rapid-pcr-test-provider.html\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ehas a resource page\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e where patients can input their information and schedule an RT-PCR test. These tests are usually free, even for patients without insurance, but it’s worthwhile to call and confirm beforehand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOverall we find Everlywell’s COVID test to be well-designed and based on the current medical standard for COVID testing, and would recommend it to consumers with high discretionary income who believe they may have COVID.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEverlywell Metabolism Test Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe third and final type of testing provided by Everlywell that we’ll review is their Metabolism Test that claims to “test the hormones that influence weight and energy”.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOutside of extremely rare medical conditions, it’s primarily dietary factors like caloric intake and calories burned through activity that are the biggest influences on weight, but energy can definitely be strongly influenced by sub-optimal hormone levels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEverlywell’s Metabolism Test tests for cortisol, free testosterone and thyroid-stimulating hormone. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMedical research \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/12970286\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ehas shown\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e that cortisol testing is an effective first-line test for adrenal insufficiency. Patients suffering from chronic stress often have elevated cortisol levels, so we find this to be an effective type of test for general health maintenance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFree testosterone may be more accurate in diagnosing hormone issues in men than total testosterone based on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27714896\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical research\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, but both would typically be necessary for diagnosing any health condition, which is why a standard hormone panel contains both readings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAbnormally low testosterone levels in men can negatively impact energy, so this could be a useful, but not predictive, test for male patients.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThyroid-stimulating hormone is included in most tests of thyroid function, but T4, T3 and thyroid antibody tests are usually measured as well.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWhile Everlywell’s Metabolism Test may provide some useful data that could lead to further testing, we wouldn’t recommend it to patients because it’s not enough information to diagnose any specific conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWhile it won’t cause any harm, we find it somewhat illogical to pay out-of-pocket for a test of three different hormone levels that aren’t typically analyzed together to diagnose or treat any condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe recommend that patients with suspected hormone issues speak with their doctor about a more full panel of hormone testing. For example, older men suspecting testosterone deficiency would likely want to test for total testosterone and free testosterone, and potentially human growth hormone, estrogen and other hormones to get the full picture and make a more accurate diagnosis.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConclusion\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEverlywell has an innovative brand that can provide some value to customers, but like with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/hormonal-imbalance-quiz\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ehormonal imbalance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e online diagnostic tools, it’s difficult to diagnose health conditions without a full data set.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe find the food allergy testing provided by Everlywell to be an inaccurate diagnostic measure, and our concern is that patients using this tool may receive false positive results and avoid nutritious whole foods that they otherwise wouldn’t have. We recommend avoiding Everlywell’s food sensitivity test.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEverlywell’s COVID test kit uses the medical research standard for COVID test accuracy, and we would recommend this product for consumers with high income who can pay for the convenience. For other consumers, it should be relatively easy to find free COVID tests in your area.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe don’t recommend Everlywell Metabolism Test as we find the three hormones it tests for are unlikely to provide enough insight to diagnose any health condition. A hormone panel ordered through a doctor is likely to be more informative and cheaper in our opinion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOverall we don’t believe this brand provides very much value for the amount of money they charge, and that traditional medical providers can provide superior testing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","blog_id":49281925193,"author":"Calloway Cook","user_id":26601750601,"published_at":"2022-02-11T09:30:01-05:00","updated_at":"2022-12-18T19:36:19-05:00","summary_html":"We review at-home medical test brand Everlywell’s Food Sensitivity Test, COVID-19 Test and Metabolism Test based on medical research to determine if they’re likely to be accurate and effective.","template_suffix":"","handle":"everlywell-review","tags":"_related:lab-tests"}

Everlywell Review: Are Their Tests Accurate?

Everlywell Review: Are Their Tests Accurate?


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Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice, and is just the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regards to medical testing.

Everlywell provides convenient at-home test kits for a variety of health parameters like food allergy and metabolism. The company claims their tests are accurate but there have been some questions raised by the health media about whether Everlywell can reliably provide medical insights.

In this article we’ll review Everlywell’s most popular tests based on medical research to determine if they’re likely to be effective.

Everlywell Food Sensitivity Test Review

The most popular test, and the one which has received the most controversy, is Everlywell’s Food Sensitivity Test.

Everlywell claims to test for an antibody response to 204 common foods that may be “causing you discomfort.” By testing for and eliminating these foods from the diet, a patient would theoretically have an improved quality of life.

The idea works on paper, but the problem is that Everlywell uses the less accurate type of food allergy testing.

Everlywell tests for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, and medical research has shown that these antibodies do not play a causal role in food hypersensitivity reactions. The linked study, published in the Advances in Dermatology and Allergology journal, directly states that “laboratory tests based on the titrations of sIgG” (which is what Everlywell performs) “should be considered as insignificant in the diagnosis of food allergy”.

While this type of testing is a marker of immune response, it cannot accurately diagnose allergy/sensitivity because even healthy non-allergic patients produce IgG antibodies in response to common food allergens.

The type of tests that are more commonly used for food allergy are called immunoglobulin E (IgE) tests, and this is the type of testing that would likely be ordered if a patient’s doctor referred them to an allergist office for food allergy testing.

Medical research has shown that IgE-mediation is what causes the adverse responses to food proteins that create discomfort in the patient.

We find it strange that Everlywell doesn’t address this distinction on their site, or at least provide some line of reasoning as to why they order IgG tests rather than IgE for food allergy testing.

We believe that more data is always better in treating patients, but we wouldn’t recommend Everlywell Food Sensitivity Test because it seems to use a type of testing that’s not backed by medical literature.

Another downside to Everlywell’s test is that it must be paid out of pocket, while patients with medical insurance can often get an IgE test from an allergist office at a significantly discounted rate, or even free, if there’s a documented medical need.

We recommend that patients speak with their doctor about getting an IgE test if they’re experiencing allergic symptoms in response to foods.

Everlywell COVID Test Review

Everlywell offers a COVID-19 test, which uses the Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method. This has been shown in recent medical research to be more accurate than antigen testing, and is becoming the standard COVID test.

For patients with high discretionary income, this may be a good option since they can stay at home and minimize the risk of exposing themselves or others while ordering the test if they suspect they have COVID.

For patients with low discretionary income in the U.S., this exact same test is available for free at many locations. ThermoFisher’s website has a resource page where patients can input their information and schedule an RT-PCR test. These tests are usually free, even for patients without insurance, but it’s worthwhile to call and confirm beforehand.

Overall we find Everlywell’s COVID test to be well-designed and based on the current medical standard for COVID testing, and would recommend it to consumers with high discretionary income who believe they may have COVID.

Everlywell Metabolism Test Review

The third and final type of testing provided by Everlywell that we’ll review is their Metabolism Test that claims to “test the hormones that influence weight and energy”.

Outside of extremely rare medical conditions, it’s primarily dietary factors like caloric intake and calories burned through activity that are the biggest influences on weight, but energy can definitely be strongly influenced by sub-optimal hormone levels.

Everlywell’s Metabolism Test tests for cortisol, free testosterone and thyroid-stimulating hormone. 

Medical research has shown that cortisol testing is an effective first-line test for adrenal insufficiency. Patients suffering from chronic stress often have elevated cortisol levels, so we find this to be an effective type of test for general health maintenance.

Free testosterone may be more accurate in diagnosing hormone issues in men than total testosterone based on clinical research, but both would typically be necessary for diagnosing any health condition, which is why a standard hormone panel contains both readings.

Abnormally low testosterone levels in men can negatively impact energy, so this could be a useful, but not predictive, test for male patients.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone is included in most tests of thyroid function, but T4, T3 and thyroid antibody tests are usually measured as well.

While Everlywell’s Metabolism Test may provide some useful data that could lead to further testing, we wouldn’t recommend it to patients because it’s not enough information to diagnose any specific conditions.

While it won’t cause any harm, we find it somewhat illogical to pay out-of-pocket for a test of three different hormone levels that aren’t typically analyzed together to diagnose or treat any condition.

We recommend that patients with suspected hormone issues speak with their doctor about a more full panel of hormone testing. For example, older men suspecting testosterone deficiency would likely want to test for total testosterone and free testosterone, and potentially human growth hormone, estrogen and other hormones to get the full picture and make a more accurate diagnosis.

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Conclusion

Everlywell has an innovative brand that can provide some value to customers, but like with hormonal imbalance online diagnostic tools, it’s difficult to diagnose health conditions without a full data set.

We find the food allergy testing provided by Everlywell to be an inaccurate diagnostic measure, and our concern is that patients using this tool may receive false positive results and avoid nutritious whole foods that they otherwise wouldn’t have. We recommend avoiding Everlywell’s food sensitivity test.

Everlywell’s COVID test kit uses the medical research standard for COVID test accuracy, and we would recommend this product for consumers with high income who can pay for the convenience. For other consumers, it should be relatively easy to find free COVID tests in your area.

We don’t recommend Everlywell Metabolism Test as we find the three hormones it tests for are unlikely to provide enough insight to diagnose any health condition. A hormone panel ordered through a doctor is likely to be more informative and cheaper in our opinion.

Overall we don’t believe this brand provides very much value for the amount of money they charge, and that traditional medical providers can provide superior testing.




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