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The Best At-Home Testosterone Test Kits: Are They Accurate?

Why Hone’s At-Hone Testosterone Test Is the Best

If you are above or below the normal range of testosterone, or are still experiencing symptoms even if you’re in the normal range, your test results will help you when engaging with your physician. Your testosterone levels can be tested with a blood draw at your doctor’s office or with a home testosterone test kit. For a test at a doctor’s office, you travel to your clinic, where a nurse draws your blood with a needle. Because they use conventional equipment, the nurse takes about a teaspoon or more of blood.

The bulk of this  testosterone is bound to albumin or sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and shuttled throughout your body. That means you’re only getting part of the picture about your health and wellness. If your testosterone hormone levels are too high or too low, you may experience a variety of uncomfortable symptoms that feel disruptive to your daily life.

The two primary methods for testosterone testing are blood tests and saliva tests. Blood tests, often conducted in a laboratory setting, are considered the gold standard for accuracy. Saliva tests, while convenient for at-home use, may have limitations in terms of precision and reliability. Understanding your testosterone levels is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being.

While fasting is generally not required for a testosterone blood test, some healthcare providers may recommend it for more accurate results. If the test is part of a broader hormone panel or metabolic assessment, fasting for 8-12 hours may be necessary. It is always best to follow the specific instructions given by your doctor or laboratory. Searching “does bacon increase testosterone (eecpclinic.com) a testosterone blood test require fasting” or “do you need to fast for a testosterone test” can help clarify laboratory-specific guidelines.

Mercey Livingston is a writer and editor with eight-plus years of experience covering fitness, health, and nutrition for media outlets and brands including Well+Good, Shape, and Women’s Health. She was the fitness editor at Peloton and held editorial roles at Equinox, Shape, and Well+Good. Mercey is a NASM-certified personal trainer and women’s fitness specialist. She’s also a certified holistic health coach through the Institute For Integrative Nutrition, with an additional certification in hormone health. She has a BA in journalism from the University of Southern Mississippi. “When women come in to their healthcare provider or a gynecological evaluation, quite often, breast exams are done. Examination of the vulva is performed, the vagina is visualized,” Vaidya said. “The cervix is directly visualized. A bimanual exam is often done that allows us to get a sense of the size and shape of the uterus, to look or feel for any masses.

Your test results are typically available within three to five business days after they receive your sample. When you get your test in the mail, register it using the secure patient portal on Hone’s website. The portal gives you exclusive access to all records, tests and consultations with your Hone physician. Checking your testosterone, not to mention other hormone levels, has become easier than ever.

According to the Teal Health website, Teal Wand collection kits are tested at Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment-certified labs. In 2025, clinics like AlphaMan, a men’s health center specializing in hormone optimization, are rethinking how testosterone therapy fits into modern masculinity. Because when it comes to low testosterone, the stakes extend far beyond the gym. Even high-performing men balancing careers, families, and fitness can find themselves battling unexplained fatigue, diminished focus, low libido, and persistent sluggishness despite adequate rest. The at-home tests mentioned above are just a fraction of the available products on the market. No matter the test, those using these products should be encouraged to research the accuracy of said test and offered counseling points to assure effective and successful at home use.

“I’d say let’s start with your primary care physician and do the basics first,” he told me. That might mean screening for thyroid problems or diabetes, or getting a complete blood count, like you would during an annual physical, to identify any other potential problems. The description calls for 4 drops of blood on a test strip, but I found I needed to provide more like 8. If you suspect an imbalance or are curious about your testosterone levels, investing in a testosterone level test kit can be a simple yet effective step toward improving your well-being. There is also evidence that testosterone levels change seasonally, with people having the highest levels of this hormone in August to October and becoming lowest in March.

Lisa Valle, DO, OB-GYN and medical director of Oasis Women’s Sexual Function Center in Santa Monica, CA, said at-home kits have the ability to increase the number of people who test for STDs. It’s also not a good idea to skip your annual ob-gyn check-up, because the appointment involves other screenings outside of HPV. Because the Teal Wand is a prescription, a virtual visit with a Teal Health provider will be necessary before a Teal Wand kit can be mailed. In an effort to combat the prevalence of cervical cancer in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has approved the first ever at-home cervical cancer screening kit.