Best Blood Tests
Based on In-Depth Reviews
- 200+Hours of research
- 20+Sources used
- 12Companies vetted
- 3Features reviewed
- 6Top
Picks
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You don’t need a prescription or referral to order an online blood test.
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Online blood tests are not available to anyone under 18.
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Some tests can be done at home while others require you to visit a nearby lab.
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Food sensitivity tests are not the same as food allergy tests.
How we analyzed the best Blood Test Providers
Our Picks: Blood Tests Reviews
LetsGetChecked review
Screenshot letsgetchecked.com, July 2020.
Testing service: At-home kits
Types of tests available: General Wellness, Women/Men’s Health, and Sexual Health
Results in: Typically within 2 to 5 business days
Follow-up services: A nurse will call you to discuss your results and provide advice for treatment if necessary. Their medical support team is available to assist customers in interpreting their results at all times. If appropriate, you’ll receive a prescription by email.
Highlights:
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You can integrate your health devices such as Apple Health, Fitbit, and Garmin to your dashboard. LetsGetChecked will combine your lab results with your device’s data and give you disease risk assessments as well as track your overall health and well-being.
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Some of their test kits are available at CVS.
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Subscription plans are available. With a subscription, you’ll be sent the test of your choosing at monthly, quarterly, or bi-annually intervals, for a discounted price.
Health Testing Centers review
Screenshot healthtestingcenters.com, July 2020.
Testing service: Both in-lab and at-home kits
Types of tests available: Allergies, Arthritis and Inflammation, Autoimmune, Cancer Screening, Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Drug and Alcohol Detection, Gastrointestinal, Heavy Metal and Toxin Exposure, Hormones, Immunization, Infectious Diseases, Kidney, Liver, STDs, Thyroid, Vitamins, Pregnancy, Fertility, and Prostate
Results in: Most results in 1-2 days
Follow-up services: For positive results of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, or HSV 2, you’ll receive a free physician consultation as well as a prescription if deemed necessary.
Price Range: $29 - $1,999
Highlights:
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Health Testing Centers carries most, if not all, lab tests used by doctors along with at-home kits for food sensitivities, general health, heart, heavy metals, hormones, hormone, and nutrition. They also have 12 different at-home genetic tests available.
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Health packages available: Basic Health Check ($99), Essential Health Check ($189), Expanded Health Check for Men ($799), Expanded Health Check for Women ($799), Comprehensive Health Check for Men ($1999), Comprehensive Health Check for Women ($1999)
Everly Well review
Screenshot everlywell.com, July 2020.
Testing service: At-home kits
Types of tests available: General Wellness, Women/Men’s Health, and Sexual Health
Results in: Typically within 5 business days (may vary by test)
Follow-up services: Customers can speak with a physician prior to purchasing a test. If your tests show an abnormal result, you’ll be contacted by phone. In the case of a positive result for an STD or Lyme disease, you may be offered a free consultation with a physician and prescription for treatment if appropriate.
Highlights:
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Everlywell has 32 at-home test kits available, yet the company might be best known for their food sensitivity tests. Like most of their tests, with a couple of blood drops from a finger prick, you can find out if you're sensitive to up to 96 different foods with the regular test kit ($159) or 204 with the comprehensive test ($259).
Food sensitivity tests are designed to measure your immune system's response to certain foods by measuring IgG antibodies. Supposedly, if you eliminate foods to which the test determines you react negatively, you’ll be less likely to have symptoms such as indigestion, fatigue, or headache. Yet, these tests are controversial, with some stating that there’s no scientific basis to back them up. We’ll discuss this topic further in our What to Watch Out For section. Also, food sensitivity tests are not to be confused with food allergy tests. Food allergies are measured with a different type of antibody, the IgE, and may cause life-threatening symptoms such as anaphylactic shock.
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Subscription plans are available. With a subscription, you’ll receive the test of your choosing at monthly, quarterly, or bi-annually intervals, for a discounted price.
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Some of their tests are also available at CVS and Target stores.
Ulta Lab Tests review
Screenshot ultalab.com, July 2020.
Testing service: Both in-lab and at-home kits
Types of tests available: Blood Health, Bone and Joint, Cardiovascular, Cognitive, Dietary Fatty Acids, Digestive, Drug Therapy Electrolytes, Endocrine, Eye and Ear, General Health, Immune System, Infection, Inflammation, Kidney and Urinary, Liver, Lung, Metabolic, Neuromuscular, Prenatal, Reproductive, Skin, Nail and Hair, Toxicology, Tumor Markers, Vitamins and Minerals
Results in: Lab results, including Wellness Panels will be typically available in 1-3 business days but some complex tests may take up to 7-10 days
Follow-up services: You’ll be notified if results are abnormal with a critical or panic value that requires immediate medical care or for a positive STD result.
Price Range: $6 - $1,700
Highlights:
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Your results will be displayed in easy-to-read charts that show all of your health data—including results from past Ulta Lab Testing blood tests—along with explanations of your biomarkers.
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You can purchase gift cards for any amount between $25 to $1,000, which can be used for any of their available lab tests. The cards can be emailed to you or directly to the recipient of your choice and do not expire or devalue over time.
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Weekly discounts and promotions are available for individual tests and comprehensive packages.
Walk-in Lab review
Screenshot walkinlab.com, July 2020.
Testing service: In-lab and at-home kits
Types of tests available: Allergies, Anti-Aging, Autoimmune, Blood Disorders, Cancer Screening, Diabetes Tests, Digestive System, Drug and Alcohol, Exposure, Heart Health, Hormone INfectious Disease, Kidney, Liver, Men Specific, STDs, Stress and Fatigue, Thyroid, Wellness Panels, Women-Specific Tests, Immunity Tests, and Vitamins, Minerals and Nutrition
Results in: Most test results may be available in 1- 2 days, although other tests may take longer. Specific processing dates are included with each test description.
Price Range: $25 - $865
Highlights:
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In their FAQs, Walk-In-Lab states that they allow test orders to be placed anonymously. Instead of writing your full name, you can fill the first name field with an alpha or numeric character and the last name with an alpha character. Your birth date and gender are required though.
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They offer a Customize Your Panel (CYP) discount pricing. This package gives you a discount automatically if you order three or more tests at the same time. Instead of ordering one of their preorganized test panels, you can order the specific tests you want at a discount (3-5 tests get 10% off, 6-10 15% off, 11-15 20% off, 16 or more 25% off). This offer excludes their discount test panels, special offers, and home test kits. The discounts will be applied to each individual test in the order.
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With their Loyalty Program, you earn 1 point for every $1 you spend on tests. Points can then be exchanged for gift cards to purchase new tests.
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Gift cards are available. They are fully transferable and do not expire.
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There are over 80 home tests to choose from.
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They have a price-match guarantee—if you find another provider offering the same type of test for a lower price, they will match their price. Note, however, that the sample must be collected by the same lab company (by Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp, for example).
More insight into our methodology
Healthcare is notoriously expensive in the United States. Without it, many people gamble on their health out of fear of the high cost of medical services such as tests, treatments, and doctor visits. According to a survey by Harris Poll and SCIO Health Analytics, even insured Americans (approximately one in five) sometimes avoid medical care because of cost concerns.
Opting out of necessary medical care is not only a consequence of high costs, but a lack of price transparency is to blame as well. A survey by West Health and analytics company Gallup found that only about a third of Americans “report that doctors discuss costs with them in advance of procedures, tests, or treatment plans, or for medicine required to treat their conditions.”
With this in mind, we searched for online blood testing services that were not only upfront about the cost of their services but also offered the same array of tests doctors usually ask for during examinations. These companies don’t require you to have a doctor’s referral to purchase a test through them—they will provide you with one and it’s included with the cost of the test. Still, it’s strongly advised that you show your results to a doctor, especially if there are abnormal results.
Considering how many might be using these services on account of wanting to avoid the doctor’s office, we searched for companies that offered follow-up services to notify patients of results requiring immediate medical attention, or even provide a prescription if deemed appropriate. We also took into account whether the companies delivered their results in an easy-to-read format and how well-described their services were for consumers to understand both the testing process and the usefulness of their tests.
Services
Although titled “Best Blood Tests,” it should be noted that the companies reviewed here offer more than routine blood tests. They give consumers access to the same tests doctors order without the need for a doctor’s referral. Since not everyone can afford a doctor’s visit and not having a doctor's referral shouldn’t limit anyone’s healthcare options, these companies give consumers direct access to testing they would otherwise have no access to.
We wanted consumers to have greater control over their healthcare options, so we compared each company’s test selection, giving preference to those who offered more than just the routine blood tests. Although most tests do require blood samples, others may use other collection methods such as urine, saliva, stool, and/or vaginal swabs.
Our main picks usually offer tests in these categories:
Allergies
Arthritis and Inflammation
Autoimmune
Cancer Screening
Cardiovascular
Diabetes
Drug and Alcohol Detection
Gastrointestinal
Heavy Metal and Toxin Exposure
Hormones
Immunization
Infectious Diseases
Kidney
Liver
Pregnancy, Fertility and Prostate
STD Testing
Thyroid
Vitamins and Nutrition
Most tests require a visit to a partner lab for a sample collection but some also offer at-home test kits. At-home test kits are designed for customers to collect their own sample and send it by mail to be tested by a certified lab. You’ll usually receive your results within a week after sending them in. We preferred sites that offered both in-lab collection and at-home tests. If they specialized in at-home tests, we picked companies who offered tests for several health issues—such as cholesterol, diabetes, fertility issues, hormonal imbalances, or vitamin deficiencies—rather than focusing only on specific issues like STDs or food allergies, for example.
All of our picks let you choose specific tests separately and offer comprehensive wellness packages at a discount.
Lab Accreditations
To better ensure the accuracy of your results, we chose companies that partner with CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified labs.
CAP accreditations are given by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the world’s leading organization of board-certified pathologists. The CAP created a list of best practices and standards that labs must meet. After a lab is deemed CAP-approved, inspections must take place every two years to guarantee high-quality standards continue to be met.
The CLIA certification refers to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. CLIA is overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Just like a CAP accreditation, a CLIA certification sets quality standards for laboratory testing to ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results.
User-friendliness
Lab tests are generally riddled with results only doctors can decipher. Since consumers ordering through these companies are doing so without a doctor’s referral, we also wanted them to be able to understand their results without a doctor's help.
We searched for companies that delivered results in an easy-to-read format either by flagging abnormal results directly on the lab documents, or in a personalized health dashboard through their site—on some of the dashboards you may even input health information from past tests to better visualize your health progress. Also, a health professional will contact you directly to inform you of the results that might require immediate medical attention. In the case of STDs, aside from contacting you directly, you may be offered a prescription for treatment if deemed appropriate.
Even though you might receive a warning call in some cases, each of these companies emphasizes it’s important to consult with a primary physician or specialist when there’s cause for concern.
We also took a look at how much information these sites provided regarding their tests. We preferred companies that included an overview of the biomarkers (biological indicators, such as blood glucose or hormones, that can be measured during a diagnostic process) to be tested, a list of possible symptoms or illnesses related to the biomarkers being tested, patient preparation instructions, or how-to videos for at-home testing kits.
Helpful information about Blood Tests
Online lab testing services offer price transparency in a murky healthcare system
More often than not, people are unaware of the costs of their lab tests until they’re handed the bill. Your deductible might be low or you might not have to pay anything at all if you’re lucky enough to have comprehensive health insurance. If you’re not covered, you’re forced to pay for a necessary medical service that can easily reach the hundreds or even the thousands, depending on the number of tests done, their complexity, and which lab you visit.
Without insurance, a routine checkup can become a luxury, leading many Americans to procrastinate or outright skip necessary doctors’ visits. A 2018 poll by NORC at the University of Chicago and the West Health Institute found that 44% of Americans had skipped needed check-ups because of the cost. The same poll found 30% had to choose between paying for medical bills or basic necessities like food, heating, or housing, and more people feared the medical bills (40%) rather than the illness itself (33%).
It was just last year that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued rulings meant to guarantee that “insured and uninsured Americans alike have the information necessary to get an accurate estimate of the cost of the healthcare services they are seeking before they receive care.” With these regulations, hospitals are required to disclose and regularly update a list of the services they offer and their costs. However, the American Hospital Association and other hospital groups have challenged the regulations claiming they might “confuse patients and unduly burden hospitals.”
The costs for medical services can vary widely in the United States, even within the same metro area. Researchers from the Health Care Cost Institute analyzed more than 2.9 billion health care claims from 2013 to 2017, and measured service prices for 124 local areas in 43 states. They found variations of up to 25-fold in median prices for the same services across states. A blood test could cost $18 in Toledo, OH and $443 in Beaumont, TX for the same test. A doctor’s visit could cost $60 in Miami, FL, and up to $165 in Anchorage, AK.
One big advantage of online blood tests is that they provide their prices clearly and upfront. These companies employ a direct-to-consumer model where people can purchase any lab test at a flat rate. This is particularly beneficial for uninsured individuals who might worry about not having enough funds to pay for the tests as well as doctor visits to get lab referrals. Although it’s still of utmost importance to visit a doctor regularly to help maintain a healthy lifestyle and have them evaluate abnormal test results, online lab testing services can often provide lower costs at times by removing the need for middlemen.
Moreover, by receiving test results in a user-friendly platform where they can visualize trends, people could be more likely to take an active role in their healthcare decisions. A study found that direct access to test results appears to increase patient engagement. To deal with the anxiety abnormal test results might bring, some companies offer follow-up services with medical professionals who can explain your results and offer additional advice. However, contacting a doctor in light of abnormal results is always recommended.
How do online blood tests work?
When you order a lab test through an online service, there’s no need for a doctor's referral. It will be provided to you and is included with the test cost. Once you place your order, select a partner lab from their network and have them collect a sample. In most cases, there’s no need to schedule an appointment with the lab. Your results will usually be ready after one to three days (could be more depending on the complexity of the test) and you’ll be notified via email—sometimes through a phone call if your results require immediate medical attention. You may access your result through the account you created and you can also print them to share them with your healthcare provider. In fact, this is highly advisable, especially if they show abnormal values.
How do at-home testing kits work?
While more complex testing will require a lab, you can actually collect samples yourself for others, such as STDs, cholesterol, or glucose. Once you order an at-home test kit, you’ll receive a package with every tool you need to collect your sample, and a free return label to send it back for testing. With this direct-to-consumer model, at-home testing removes both the doctor and the lab as middlemen.
Most test kits require a blood draw. Don’t worry. You won't have to pinch your own vein. These tests use a less invasive blood draw technique in which you prick your finger with a lancet (a small needle-like device) and place a few drops of blood in a tube. Other tests may require pricking your finger and leaving a fingerprint a blood-spot collection card. Some tests don’t use blood at all and use other samples such as urine, saliva, or vaginal swabs.
The sample-collection procedure depends on the type of biomarkers that the test is meant to measure, and on the company that manufactured the test. For example, you might need to take some tests within 30 minutes of waking up. Others might not be as time-sensitive but might require that you rub your hands together for a couple of minutes to stimulate the blood flow before pricking your finger. It’s important to follow the instructions included with the kit carefully to receive accurate results and avoid sending in an unusable sample.
What To Watch Out For With Blood Tests
Food sensitivity tests are not the same as food allergy tests
Food sensitivity tests have become an increasing trend over the past few years. Often recommended by alternative medicine practitioners such as naturopaths, these tests are meant to measure your immune system’s reaction to certain foods. Although it sounds a lot like a food allergy test, it is not. It’s important to understand the differences between them, and what their results mean for your diet and well-being.
When you eat a food you’re allergic to, your immune system identifies it as a harmful substance and responds by producing an excess of the antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). This surge of IgE triggers a histamine release which causes a range of allergy symptoms such as hives, swelling, itchy or watery nose and eyes, vomiting, and/or difficulty breathing or swallowing. Symptoms may be mild or life-threatening—as is the case with anaphylaxis which requires immediate medical treatment and an epinephrine injection.
IgE allergy tests can be done either by taking a blood sample or doing a scratch test. A positive test result along with a history of relevant symptoms would confirm a food allergy. Once an allergy is confirmed, it's vital to eliminate the triggering food from your diet completely. There are hundreds of food allergens, but the eight most common ones are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans.
While food allergy tests measure IgE antibodies, food sensitivity tests measure a different antibody, immunoglobulin G (IgG). The idea behind measuring IgG is similar to the one for IgE tests: if your immune system produces elevated levels of IgG for a specific food, your body is sensitive to it—note the use of the word sensitive and not allergic. Instead of causing an allergic reaction, a food sensitivity supposedly leads to inflammation in the body that may result in a series of non-life-threatening, but bothersome, symptoms such as acne, brain fog, eczema, bloating, fatigue, joint pain, migraines, depression, and trouble sleeping.
Although both tests measure antibodies, IgG food sensitivity tests are criticized by conventional medical practitioners, especially by dietitians and allergists. IgG test advocates believe that, if the test shows elevated IgG in reaction to a specific food, you should avoid it to prevent inflammation and subsequent symptoms. Many conventional doctors disagree and are concerned about the lack of research and evidence behind the tests, particularly how elevated levels of IgG could be misinterpreted. Instead of being evidence of a food sensitivity, these experts believe that elevated IgG levels could simply indicate that you consume the food regularly and your immune system has built up a tolerance to it.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology have all expressed concerns regarding the use of IgG tests as a diagnostic tool. Due to the lack of relevant research surrounding the topic, it is unlikely a dietitian, allergist, gastroenterologist, or other traditional medicine providers will accept your food sensitivity test results as valid.
If you do get an IgG food sensitivity test and it comes up positive for various foods, an elimination diet might be recommended. As the name suggests, during this diet you eliminate foods you tested as being sensitive to, then gradually reintroduce them to identify if they are causing symptoms or not. The process takes weeks of documenting every single item you eat and the symptoms that follow. Ideally, compiling a food journal will help you pinpoint if your body is sensitive to it or not. Without doing an elimination test, experts think people might restrict their diet unnecessarily and hinder their nutrition.
Speak to a dietitian or a Certified Nutrition Specialist before starting an elimination diet. They can help you organize a diet plan and advise you on how to replace the nutritional value of foods you’d like to eliminate while taking into account your medical history. Also, keep in mind that some of the symptoms you might be experiencing could be related to underlying conditions, therefore it’s of utmost importance to discuss your situation with a doctor.
FAQs about Blood Tests
Are online lab tests covered by insurance, Medicare or Medicaid?
No, they're not—you will have to pay out of pocket for these tests.
Are tests covered by Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA)?
In some cases, you might receive a reimbursement if you submit a receipt to your FSA/HSA provider.
Do I need a doctor's referral for an online blood test?
No. A doctor’s referral is included with the price of the test.
Do I need to fast or stop taking medications before testing?
It depends on the test you ordered. Some tests may require a specific fasting period while others ask you to avoid certain foods, supplements, or medications. When ordering, read each test carefully for sample collection instructions. If you have any doubts, contact the customer support team prior to visiting a lab. In the case of at-home test kits, specific instructions will be provided.
Where do I review my blood tests results?
You’ll be notified that your results are ready by email and/or you can check the account you created for ordering tests.