What Is At-Home Lab Testing? Who It's For and What to Expect

Key Takeaways:

• At-home lab testing lets you collect blood, saliva, urine, or stool samples from home to monitor various biomarkers and health conditions.

• There are two main types: self-tests, which provide results within minutes, and self-collection kits, which you mail to a certified lab for analysis.

• At-home lab tests offer convenience and privacy, and can screen for a number of health concerns, including hormone levels, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), cholesterol, and more.

• Results from labs certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) are typically accurate, but a healthcare provider should review any abnormal findings.
  

Today, at-home health testing can check for many measures beyond pregnancy or blood sugar levels. Now, you can test your testosterone, cholesterol, thyroid health, and more — all from the comfort of your couch.

With at-home lab testing becoming more expansive and accessible, people will increasingly have the tools they need to proactively monitor their health without needing to step into a clinic. Depending on what you’re testing, at-home collection kits allow you to gather samples — often blood, saliva, or urine — and send them off to a certified lab for results. Your results will offer insights into your heart, thyroid, and hormone health, among other findings.

While at-home collection kits offer a convenient way to gather samples from home, many people still prefer or require in-person lab testing. Services like Labs by Hims connect users to traditional blood draw appointments at certified labs, offering another accessible option for getting reliable results.

In this guide, we’ll cover what at-home lab testing is, how it works, who can benefit, and how to decide if it’s right for you.

At-home lab tests make it possible to check for underlying health conditions and issues you might not know, all from the comfort of home. These tests can also help to monitor certain diseases and conditions through either self-tests or self-collection kits.

With self-tests, you typically collect a sample of blood, saliva, or urine and use the accompanying kit to get results within minutes. At-home COVID-19 tests are a common example.

Self-collection tests, on the other hand, let you collect your sample at home, but then you need to mail it to a certified lab for analysis. Once the lab processes your sample, you’ll receive your results — often through an online portal or from a healthcare provider. Testosterone testing through Hims uses self-collection.

Many self-tests are available over the counter (OTC) in pharmacies or other stores, while most self-collection kits are direct-to-consumer (DTC) and ordered online through telehealth companies like ours. DTC tests may include broader health panels and lab analysis for more detailed results.

For those who prefer a standard venipuncture blood draw or need a broader clinical panel, in-person testing remains the gold standard. Hims offers access to this through Labs by Hims, which lets you complete your testing at a certified partner lab instead of collecting a sample at home.

At-home tests are versatile in their coverage. Some may address basic wellness screenings, while others may focus on men’s health and heart health panels.

Some of the most common types of at-home lab tests include:

• Heart health and metabolic tests. These can consist of total cholesterol tests to assess your risk of heart disease and cardiovascular conditions. They can also include blood sugar tests and comprehensive metabolic panels to screen for insulin resistance or kidney and liver function.

• Thyroid tests. Some at-home tests allow you to assess thyroid health, detect autoimmune thyroid disorders, or evaluate adrenal function.

• Hormone tests. Hormone panels for men’s health may include total and free testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and even prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to assess prostate cancer risk.

• Sexual health and STI/STD tests. At-home STD/STI tests allow you to screen for infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis.

• Infectious disease and respiratory tests. At-home screening tests can now detect viral infections that once required clinic visits, such as strep throat, and other respiratory viruses.

• Digestive and specialty tests. From celiac disease tests to colon cancer screenings and food sensitivity tests, a number of digestive and specialty tests are available for at-home testing using a urine or stool sample.

• Genetic and advanced screening tests. Genetic tests can help to identify predispositions to certain diseases or disorders, as well as explore genetic heritage and background.

Some comprehensive blood panels or advanced diagnostic tests still require a traditional blood draw performed by a technician. In these cases, Labs by Hims may be a better fit than an at-home kit.

What’s included in an at-home testing kit depends on what you’re testing and the specific brand.

Typically, a kit will include:

• Instructions. Every at-home test should include simple instructions that provide step-by-step guidance on how to collect your samples properly. To avoid any processing errors, it’s important to follow these instructions exactly as written.

• Sample collection tools. Tools may include swabs for specimen collection, lancet devices for blood collection, sterile containers for urine samples, and more.

• Prepaid return envelope (for self-collection). If your test requires in-lab processing, the kit will likely include a prepaid return envelope and secure packaging for easy, expedited shipping.

If you order at-home testosterone testing from Hims, you’ll receive a blood-collection device called a Tasso^®, which is a lancet that collects a blood sample from the upper arm.

At-home health tests are designed to be as accurate as in-lab testing. However, specific results can vary depending on the test you choose, the lab that processes the test, and how well you follow the kit’s instructions.

When taking an at-home lab test, make sure to pick an option that processes samples in reputable, CLIA-certified labs in order to receive the most accurate results. CLIA stands for Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, and certified facilities have met certain requirements for quality laboratory testing. Hormone testing kits at Hims use CLIA-certified labs.

Anyone can benefit from an at-home lab test. Whether you’re new to the idea of tracking your biomarkers or you evaluate your levels annually and want to know more, testing at home saves you the trip to the lab and usually allows you to monitor your test results online.

At-home lab tests can be especially useful if you have accessibility issues, like unreliable transportation or a disability, or if you need to take a given test first thing in the morning (like a testosterone test).

Some tests are also more sensitive in nature than others, like STI screenings or tests that require urine, stool, or semen samples, for instance. At-home tests offer the privacy and convenience of collecting these samples at home.

On the flip side, some people prefer the reassurance and simplicity of an in-person blood draw. Labs by Hims provides this option by letting you complete testing at a traditional lab setting and then connect with a provider through our telehealth platform, which can be helpful for individuals who are uncomfortable collecting samples themselves or need a broader test panel.

At-home lab tests provide accessibility to a broad array of health metrics, and the results can empower you to take proactive actions for your well-being. However, these tests shouldn’t replace in-person medical care.

If you receive an abnormal or unexpected result, it’s essential to follow up with your healthcare provider to explore next steps and discuss re-testing if needed.

To learn more, read about the pros and cons of at-home health testing, find out how blood tests work, consider which is right for you, and explore why blood work is important to men’s health.

What is an at-home lab test?

An at-home lab test lets you collect a biological sample — like blood, saliva, urine, or stool — in the privacy of your home. You’ll then either read the results yourself (for self-tests like COVID-19 or the flu) or send the sample to a lab for analysis.

Are at-home lab tests accurate?

Most at-home lab tests are accurate when they’re processed in CLIA-certified labs. However, accuracy also depends on how carefully you follow the kit instructions and the type of test.

How do I collect my sample safely?

Always begin by carefully reading the instructions in your collection kit. Wash your hands thoroughly, use the sterilized collection tools provided (like a lancet or a swab), and avoid touching any surfaces. If it’s a blood sample, make sure to properly seal and label your vial or card before mailing it back to the lab.

When should I see a doctor about my results?

If your results are outside the normal range, you should schedule a follow-up with your healthcare provider. You should also reach out if your test indicates a positive STD or STI result, or if you’re unsure how to interpret your results. At-home testing is an excellent screening tool, but it shouldn’t replace personalized medical advice.

Are my test results private?

Most reputable testing companies use encrypted portals and comply with privacy laws to protect your information. However, privacy standards can vary from one company to another. Before ordering, it’s worth checking that the provider uses HIPAA-compliant, CLIA-certified labs and clearly outlines how it handles your data and biological samples.

Are there times when I should choose an in-person lab test instead of an at-home kit?

Some tests require a standard venipuncture blood draw or a broader panel than what an at-home kit can provide. In those cases, visiting a certified lab is the better option. Labs by Hims offers in-person, clinician-performed testing for people who prefer or need traditional lab work.