Five Reasons Why You Should Get An Inexpensive At-Home Health Test Today

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have fundamentally changed how we live. We commute less, work harder at spending our precious moments with loved ones, and value our time in a way we never did before. That’s what’s so amazing about at-home health tests. Instead of driving to an overcrowded doctor’s office and waiting to be seen, you can uncover numerous important health issues from the comfort of your home. 

With just a simple needle prick and a few drops of blood, you can  learn about vitamin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and many other issues. If you like you can get a metabolism test or do an at-home thyroid test. There are so many possibilities. Your insurance plan may even cover the cost!

Even if you pay for it out-of-pocket, there’s an inexpensive and reliable option available. That’s because while some home health tests cost hundreds of dollars, for just $99 Kyla offers a single test that will examine everything from your heart health and hormone levels, to inflammation markers that suggest disease risk.

If you’ve ever thought about getting an at-home health test, now is a great time to do it. Here are five reasons why you should get one.

1. You’re Beginning a New Fitness Regimen

Maybe you’re trying to get back in shape. Perhaps you’re prepping for a marathon or starting tennis lessons in a few weeks. Before you change your exercise habits, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re not dealing with underlying health concerns. Vitamin deficiencies and blood sugar issues can derail your fitness plans before you even begin. 

While preparing for an ultra-marathon, Greg Sisengrath purchased a health test. He discovered that he’d been slowly overdosing on the iron supplements. It turns out he was getting sufficient amounts of the nutrients from his diet. Like many people, he incorrectly assumed that a little extra wouldn’t hurt. However, although it is water soluble, iron leaves the body far more slowly than vitamins like C and B. Because it was accumulating, the runner was at a heightened risk for liver or heart damage. Testing not only helped his running but could have saved his life. 

Hormonal imbalances and low or high blood sugar levels can make it nearly impossible to succeed in a new fitness regimen. That’s why testing should be part of any women’s or men’s health check up. An at-home hormone test is a great way to prepare for a new exercise routine. 

Of course, taking the tests shouldn’t be your last step but your first. After getting your results from Kyla, you’ll enjoy access to an AI-driven risk engine that identifies areas where improving your health can increase your longevity and quality of life. You’ll also be able to consult with well-qualified medical professionals from the comfort of your home. 

2.You’re Worried About Vitamin or Nutrient Levels

Because he had darker skin, Sisengrath wasn’t absorbing enough Vitamin D. This deficiency is quite common –– one reason Kyla includes checking its level as part of their at-home health tests. “I never would have thought that I would need to supplement vitamin D with the amount I spend outside,” he told the website Popsugar. “I appreciated that this test was more all-encompassing in terms of results and recommendations compared to those I’d previously gotten from a doctor.”

One study suggested that darker skinned people may need twice as much sun exposure as those with lighter skin tones in order to get sufficient Vitamin D. Checking your vitamin levels can be the first step toward improved health. Like iron, Vitamin D is fat soluble which means excessive supplementation can be toxic. Water soluble vitamins like B9 and B12 are also tested at Kyla. Keep in mind that all home-testing companies aren’t created equal. That’s why you’ll want to make sure the company you choose offers a wide variety of testing options including at-home thyroid test and hormone tests.  

3. You Live In a Rural Area

Yet another way the pandemic altered life years after COVID-19 infections peaked –– many of us are living far from city centers. Whether you moved for remote work or have always enjoyed “country living,” your rural address likely came with a paucity of doctors. Fewer than ten percent of all doctors choose to locate their medical practice in a rural area. At-home health tests can balance the scales. Plus, getting a test before you schedule a doctor’s appointment can offer some needed clarity. You’ll be well prepared with questions thanks to the results of your at-home hormone test. Even better, if you choose Kyla’s AI-driven risk engine and professional follow-up, you may be able to reduce the number of times you see a physician in person. As one study pointed out, ‘Health data processed through algorithms may provide appropriate information and insights for patients and clinicians in personalizing therapy, providing nuanced clinical decision support recommendations in complex scenarios, and mitigating health risks.” 

Of course you’ll still want to keep regular check-ups. It’s just why endure an hours-long drive when some of the information can come from a simple at-home test? Kyla makes it possible to avoid traffic and stress. 

4. You Have a Potentially Serious Health Concern

Did you know that half of all adults have hypertension? This puts them at serious risk for heart disease or stroke. An at-home test needs to provide the same sort of vital information that you’d get in a doctor’s office. That means a women’s or men’s health check up should include information on your blood pressure and overall heart health. It should also look at cholesterol levels. 

You might wonder if a single test can provide so much information from just a few drops of blood. Well, Kyla’s proprietary tests deliver that information and so much more. One of the best reasons to get an at-home test is to discover if you have a condition that requires medical intervention. When high blood pressure or cholesterol is discovered early, it responds well to a variety of treatment options. Of course you will want to discuss this with a qualified medical professional following your test. Still, there’s no question that for many people a simple and convenient test at home is a vital component in discovering not only potentially dangerous conditions and managing them but in learning how to extend their healthy lifespan.

5. You Just Don’t Feel Like Yourself Lately  

Do you find yourself increasingly on edge? Do you suddenly have a “hair trigger temper?” If you’ve been experiencing more stress lately, your cortisol could be elevated. That’s why getting an at-home hormone test like the one from Kyla can help you discover the source of your displeasure. Have you been dealing with insomnia, loss of appetite, or even hair loss? Many of the tests Kyla offers can help you discover the source. Instead of paying for a single at-home thyroid test, the $99 primary care panel from Kyla examines not only your thyroid levels but your cortisol levels as well. You can get a women’s or men’s health check up without leaving the comfort of home. Even better, by downloading the Kyla app and filling out your unique health profile you’ll be able to access a date-driven risk engine that will not only help you live longer, but better. 

Sources:

1. Benton, Emilia. “Have We Taken At-Home Health Testing Too Far?” Pop Sugar. March 13,2024. https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/health-testing-at-home-49327501
2. “Iron: Fact Sheet For Health Professionals,” National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS). June 15, 2023. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/
3. McDowell LA, Kudaravalli P, Chen RJ, et al. Iron Overload. [Updated January 11, 2024]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526131/#:~.
4. Webb, Ann R et al. “Colour Counts: Sunlight and Skin Type as Drivers of Vitamin D Deficiency at UK Latitudes.” Nutrients. April 7, 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5946242/?
5. Carr, Teresa. “The Truth About Home Medical Tests,” Consumer Reports. March 17, 2022. https://www.consumerreports.org/health/medical-tests/the-truth-about-home-medical-tests-a1723249241/
6. Nielsen, Marci et al. “Addressing Rural Health Challenges Head On.” Missouri Medicine vol. 114,5 (2017). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6140198/
7. “Facts About Hypertension,” CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm