Best At-Home Metabolic Tests 2026: Lab Kits, Full Panels and CGMs Compared
Key Takeaway
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Best At-Home Metabolic Tests 2026: Lab Kits, Full Panels and CGMs Compared
Disclosure: Links on this page currently go straight to brand sites and we don't earn from them yet. Once partner links go live, Better Vitals may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That won't change our rankings, our skip-if advice, or when we tell you to see your doctor.
Medical note: This guide is for general education. It isn't medical advice, and none of these products diagnose, treat, or cure anything on their own. If you have symptoms, a known condition, or you take medication (especially for diabetes or thyroid), talk to your doctor before you test and before you change anything based on results.
"At-home metabolic test" covers three very different things, and buying the wrong one is the most common mistake:
- Single-target lab kits (a few biomarkers, one finger-prick or saliva sample). Best pick: Everlywell Metabolism Test ($99) or Everlywell HbA1c Test ($49).
- Comprehensive panels (dozens of biomarkers, usually a lab draw). Best pick: Everlywell 360 ($399/year, 83 biomarkers). Main rival: Function Health ($365/year, 160+ lab tests).
- Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) that show how your glucose moves day to day. Best coaching program: Signos. Best no-coaching sensor: Dexcom Stelo.
Our default: if you want one broad, annual snapshot of heart, metabolic, hormone, and nutrient markers without an insurance hoop, Everlywell 360 is the best-balanced pick. If you only want one or two numbers, a single Everlywell kit is cheaper and simpler. If you want to watch how meals, sleep, and exercise move your glucose in real time, a lab panel can't do that. Go to a CGM, and see our best CGM of 2026 guide and CGM for non-diabetics explainer.
Method: We compared prices, biomarker lists, sample type, coaching, and availability as published on each brand's own site on 2026-10-15. We did not personally test these kits, and we don't publish accuracy scores we can't source. Prices change often. Check the brand's page at checkout.
Canada note: As of October 2026, none of the picks below officially sell or ship to Canada (Everlywell, Function Health, Signos, and Stelo all say US only or list US only). CAD prices therefore aren't available. Canadian readers should see the Canada section below.
Quick verdict: which at-home metabolic test fits you
| Award | Pick | What it actually measures | US price (Oct 15, 2026) | CAD | Skip if… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Everlywell 360 | 83 biomarkers across heart & metabolic, hormones, nutrients, inflammation, liver/kidney, blood cells; Quest lab draw | $399/yr ($499/yr with clinician consult) | Not sold in Canada | You only want 1–2 numbers, or you already get annual bloodwork through your doctor |
| Best single kit (hormones) | Everlywell Metabolism Test | Cortisol (saliva), total testosterone, TSH (blood card) | $99 | Not sold in Canada | You want glucose, A1c, or cholesterol; this kit doesn't test them |
| Best single kit (blood sugar) | Everlywell HbA1c Test | HbA1c (about 3-month average blood sugar) | $49 | Not sold in Canada | You need day-to-day glucose patterns (use a CGM) |
| Most biomarkers | Function Health | 160+ lab tests per year, tested twice a year; lab draw | $365/yr | Not sold in Canada | You don't want that much data, or extra findings would make you anxious |
| Best CGM + coaching | Signos | Glucose (Dexcom Stelo sensors) + weight-focused app and coaching | $169–$299/mo (promo: $127–$225) depending on plan length | US only | You don't want a subscription or a weight-loss program |
| Best no-frills CGM | Dexcom Stelo | Glucose only, 15-day OTC biosensor + app | $99 one-time 2-pack; $89/mo subscription | Not officially sold in Canada | You want coaching or lab biomarkers |
What "metabolic test" really means
"Metabolism" isn't one number. In medicine, a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is a standard blood test of glucose, electrolytes, kidney, and liver markers (MedlinePlus). Consumer brands use "metabolism" more loosely. Everlywell's Metabolism Test, for example, measures hormones (cortisol, testosterone, TSH), not glucose or a CMP.
Before buying, decide which question you're asking:
- "Is my blood sugar trending the wrong way?" HbA1c is the standard lab marker. In the US, the CDC and the American Diabetes Association define an A1c of 5.7%–6.4% as prediabetes and 6.5% or higher as diabetes (CDC; ADA Standards of Care 2026). In Canada, Diabetes Canada uses 6.0%–6.4% for prediabetes and the same 6.5% cut-off for diabetes (Diabetes Canada). Unless you have clear symptoms, a diabetes diagnosis needs a second abnormal result (a repeat test or a different test) ordered by a clinician (ADA).
- "How do my meals and habits move my glucose?" That's a CGM question. A lab kit is a single snapshot.
- "Could hormones explain fatigue or weight changes?" Thyroid (TSH) and other hormone tests can be part of that conversation, but symptoms like fatigue have many causes. A doctor should interpret them.
- "Give me the big picture." A comprehensive panel (Everlywell 360 or Function Health) covers lipids, A1c, liver, kidney, thyroid, nutrients and more in one go.
1. Everlywell 360: best overall at-home metabolic panel
Price (US): $399 billed annually (shown as $33.25/mo), or $499/year for "360 + Consult" with clinician support. FSA/HSA eligible. Insurance not accepted. What's tested: 83 biomarkers across six categories: heart & metabolic, hormone & sexual health, nutritional health, inflammation & autoimmunity, liver/kidney/bladder, and immune & blood cell. Everlywell names HbA1c, LDL, Lp(a), hs-CRP, ALT/AST, TSH/free T4, cortisol and vitamin D among them. How it works: You order online, then book one appointment at a Quest Diagnostics lab. It isn't a finger-prick kit. Results come with a clinician-reviewed care plan, per Everlywell. Availability: US only. Product availability varies by state and is shown at checkout.
Why it's our top pick: Most people who search "at home metabolic test" want a broad snapshot, not one hormone. 360 covers blood sugar (A1c), lipids, liver and kidney function, thyroid, and inflammation in one order at a clear annual price. Everlywell says that's about three times the biomarkers of a routine physical. That's a company claim; what your own physical includes depends on your doctor and insurance.
Watch-outs:
- It's a membership that renews annually unless you cancel. Set a calendar reminder.
- Additional labs and prescriptions aren't included.
- It requires a lab visit. If you want a true mail-in kit, look at the single tests below.
- More biomarkers also means more chances of a result slightly outside the reference range that turns out not to matter. Plan to review results with your own clinician.
Best for: Adults who don't get regular bloodwork, or who want a fuller panel than their insurance-covered physical, and who'd rather pay one flat yearly price. Skip if: You already get annual labs from your doctor, or you only want one specific number.
2. Everlywell single tests: best for one clear question
Everlywell's individual kits are mailed to you. You collect a small sample at home, send it back in a prepaid mailer, and results are reviewed by an independent board-certified physician in your state, per Everlywell.
Everlywell Metabolism Test ($99)
Measures: cortisol (saliva), total testosterone, and TSH (finger-prick blood card). Good to know: Despite the name, this test does not measure glucose, A1c, insulin or cholesterol. It looks at three hormones Everlywell describes as playing roles in energy and metabolism. Morning cortisol varies through the day, so collection timing matters (MedlinePlus: cortisol test). TSH is a common first-line thyroid screening test (MedlinePlus: TSH test). Best for: Someone whose question is about thyroid or hormone context, and who'll take the results to a doctor. Skip if: Your real worry is blood sugar or heart health.
Everlywell HbA1c Test ($49)
Measures: HbA1c, a marker of average blood sugar over roughly the last three months. Good to know: At-home A1c can be a useful nudge, but a diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes is made by a clinician, usually with repeat or confirmatory testing (CDC). Best for: Adults with risk factors (family history, higher weight, inactivity) who haven't been screened recently and want a low-cost first look. Skip if: You already have diabetes. Follow your care team's testing plan instead.
Also in the Everlywell catalog (prices on Everlywell's site Oct 15, 2026): Cholesterol & Lipids Test ($49). Everlywell also lists lab-draw panels such as a "Metabolic & GLP-1 Monitoring Panel" (A1c, insulin, glucose, chemistry, cholesterol; listed at $134) through its "Everywhere" lab menu. Clinician review fees on that menu may apply, so check the checkout total.
Single test vs 360, in one line: buy a single kit to answer one question for $49–$99; buy 360 if you'd otherwise end up ordering three or four kits, because the panel covers far more for $399/year.
3. Function Health: most biomarkers per dollar
Price (US): $365/year (marketed as $1/day), down from $499 per Function's own announcement. HSA/FSA eligible. What's tested: 160+ lab tests per year, split into an initial visit (100+ tests) and a follow-up 3–6 months later (60+ tests), per Function. Categories include heart (including ApoB, Lp(a)), metabolic (including insulin), thyroid, hormones, nutrients, liver, kidney, autoimmunity, and heavy metals. Extras like MRI/CT and some specialty tests cost more. How it works: Lab draw at 2,000+ US locations. At-home or office draw is available for an additional fee.
Why it ranks below Everlywell 360 for most readers: Function tests more, for slightly less money, and twice a year. But more data isn't automatically better for a general reader. Very broad screening raises the odds of borderline flags and follow-up worry. Everlywell 360 offers a simpler single annual visit, and an option to add a clinician consult. If you're a data-minded reader who will discuss results with a doctor, Function is excellent value.
Best for: Quantified-self readers who want to track a wide range of markers over time. Skip if: You want a simple yearly snapshot, or you don't have a clinician to discuss results with.
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4. Signos: best CGM program with coaching
Price (US): Signos lists the 1-month plan at $299/mo, the 3-month plan at $199/mo and the 6-month plan at $169/mo, and plans auto-renew at the end of each term. On Oct 14, 2026, Signos was showing a 25%-off code (AUTUMN25) that brought those to $225, $150 and $127/mo; promo codes change, so check the price at checkout. All include 2 sensors per month, per Signos. A 6-month "Essentials" plan for people already on a GLP-1 is $89/mo with six sensors shipped up front. Signos says all sales are final. What it measures: Glucose only, using FDA-cleared Dexcom Stelo biosensors, paired with a weight-focused app, meal scoring and nutrition support. Availability: US only, per Signos's help center.
Why it's here: Lab kits answer "where am I right now?" A CGM shows how your glucose responds to meals, sleep and exercise over two weeks or more. Signos wraps that in a structured weight program. That's a real difference, not a better or worse test. Whether CGMs help people without diabetes is still being studied, and evidence for health benefits in that group is limited (see our CGM for non-diabetics explainer).
Best for: Adults focused on weight and habits who want guidance, not just a graph. Skip if: You use insulin, are on dialysis, have problematic low blood sugar, or have an active eating disorder (Signos excludes all of these at checkout and asks you not to change medication without your clinician), or you dislike subscriptions or want lab biomarkers like cholesterol and thyroid (Signos). If you have a history of disordered eating, a glucose-and-weight app may make it worse; talk to your clinician first.
5. Dexcom Stelo: best no-coaching CGM
Price (US): $99 one-time for 2 sensors (about a month); $89/month on subscription; a 3-month plan is $252 for six sensors, per Stelo. What it measures: Glucose only. It's a 15-day over-the-counter biosensor and app. In 2024 the FDA cleared Stelo as the first over-the-counter CGM, intended for adults who don't use insulin (FDA). Availability: US. Not officially sold in Canada as of this writing.
Best for: Curious readers who want to see their own glucose patterns for a month without paying for coaching. Skip if: You use insulin, are on dialysis, have problematic low blood sugar, are adjusting medication without your clinician, or have a history of eating disorders. Dexcom says Stelo isn't for you in any of these cases, and the FDA notes it isn't designed to alert you to dangerous lows (Stelo; FDA). If you use insulin or have problematic lows, ask your diabetes care team which glucose monitoring is right for you; that's often a prescription CGM. Also consider: Abbott's Lingo is a similar OTC glucose biosensor. Our best CGM guide compares them in depth.
Comparison table: at-home metabolic tests side by side
| Everlywell 360 | Everlywell Metabolism | Everlywell HbA1c | Function Health | Signos | Dexcom Stelo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Comprehensive panel | Single kit | Single kit | Comprehensive panel | CGM + coaching | CGM |
| Sample | Quest lab draw | Saliva + finger prick | Finger prick | Lab draw (home draw extra) | Wearable sensor | Wearable sensor |
| Biomarkers | 83 | 3 (cortisol, total T, TSH) | 1 (HbA1c) | 160+ per year | Glucose | Glucose |
| Glucose / A1c? | A1c yes | No | A1c yes | Yes (incl. insulin) | Continuous glucose | Continuous glucose |
| Lipids? | Yes | No | No | Yes (incl. ApoB) | No | No |
| US price | $399/yr ($499 w/ consult) | $99 | $49 | $365/yr | $127–$225/mo | $99 2-pack; $89/mo sub |
| CAD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A (not official) |
| Recurring? | Annual membership | One-time | One-time | Annual membership | Auto-renewing | Optional subscription |
| Clinician review | Care plan; consult on $499 tier | Physician-reviewed | Physician-reviewed | Clinician review | Nutritionist support | None |
| Limits | US only; varies by state | US only; not in NY, some states | US only; not in NY, some states | US only | US only | US only |
How to choose
1. Start with your question, not the biomarker count. One worry, like blood sugar? A $49 A1c kit or your doctor's next blood draw may answer it. A broad "how am I doing?" calls for a panel. "How do my meals affect me?" calls for a CGM.
2. Check your existing coverage. Many insurance plans and provincial health systems cover routine A1c and lipid tests when a doctor orders them. Paying out of pocket makes the most sense when you can't easily get those labs, or you want markers your doctor wouldn't normally order.
3. Be honest about memberships. Everlywell 360, Function, and Signos all renew. Stelo's subscription is optional. One-time Everlywell kits don't renew.
4. Check your state. Everlywell says product availability varies by state and shows at checkout. Its lab-testing page says kits aren't available in New York, and retail listings for some kits have excluded NY, NJ and RI. If you live there, check before you buy.
5. Plan the follow-up. Decide in advance who you'll show results to. A test you can't act on with a professional is mostly expensive curiosity.
6. Don't use a wellness test to manage a diagnosed condition. If you have diabetes, thyroid disease, or take medications that affect blood sugar or hormones, testing decisions belong with your care team.
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What results can and can't tell you
They can:
- Give you a snapshot of specific biomarkers at one point in time (lab kits and panels).
- Flag a number outside the reference range that's worth raising with your doctor.
- Show trends if you retest the same way over time.
- Show your own glucose patterns around meals, sleep and activity (CGMs).
They can't:
- Diagnose a disease on their own. Diagnosis takes a clinician, your history, and often repeat or confirmatory testing (CDC).
- Measure "metabolism" or metabolic rate as a single number. No consumer blood kit does that.
- Tell you that a single high cortisol or glucose reading means something is wrong. Both vary normally with time of day, stress, food, sleep and illness (MedlinePlus: cortisol).
- Replace screening your doctor recommends. For example, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in adults aged 35–70 with overweight or obesity (USPSTF).
- Prove that a CGM will improve health if you don't have diabetes. Research in people without diabetes is still limited.
Accuracy caveats: Finger-prick samples can be affected by collection technique, and a "reference range" isn't the same as an optimal target. CGM sensors read glucose in the fluid under the skin, which can lag behind blood glucose. If a result surprises you, retest through your doctor before you act on it.
Canada: what's actually available
As of October 15, 2026, Everlywell says its products aren't available outside the United States, Signos says it's available only in the US, and Function Health and Stelo list US locations and storefronts only. That's why there are no CAD prices in our table.
For Canadian readers, the practical routes are:
- Ask your family doctor or a walk-in clinic for an A1c, lipid panel or TSH. These are commonly ordered and often publicly covered when medically indicated (coverage varies by province).
- Private-pay options exist, but a clinician still signs off. For example, LifeLabs sells an at-home A1c kit in Ontario ($65 CAD as of Oct 14, 2026): a healthcare provider from its clinical partner signs the test request based on your screening answers and contacts you if your result is out of range (LifeLabs). LifeLabs says signed requisitions are mandatory for its tests (LifeLabs FAQ). Tests, prices and provinces vary, so check the lab's site.
- CGMs: Abbott's FreeStyle Libre sensors are sold at Canadian pharmacies, but in Canada they're licensed for people with diabetes, not as a wellness tracker (Abbott Canada). If you don't have diabetes, talk to your doctor first; an A1c test is usually the better first step. Our best CGM guide explains how CGMs compare.
Some third-party sellers list imported Stelo sensors in Canada. Stelo isn't licensed by Health Canada and Dexcom doesn't sell it here, so we don't recommend importing it: support, warranty and app access aren't guaranteed (Health Canada MDALL).
Our verdict
- Most readers: Everlywell 360, for one broad annual snapshot at a clear price, with an optional clinician consult.
- One question, small budget: Everlywell HbA1c ($49) for blood sugar, or the Metabolism Test ($99) for cortisol/testosterone/TSH. Know that the Metabolism Test doesn't check glucose.
- Data maximalists: Function Health, for the most lab tests per dollar, twice a year.
- Weight and habit change with coaching: Signos.
- Just curious about your glucose: Dexcom Stelo for a month.
- In Canada, NY, or already managing a condition: start with your doctor.
FAQs
What is the best at-home metabolic test?
For a broad picture, Everlywell 360 is our top pick: 83 biomarkers, $399/year, with one Quest lab visit. For one specific question, a single Everlywell kit costs $49–$99. For real-time glucose, use a CGM like Stelo or a program like Signos.
Does the Everlywell Metabolism Test check blood sugar?
No. It measures cortisol, total testosterone and TSH. For blood sugar, choose the HbA1c Test or a panel that includes A1c.
Is Everlywell 360 a one-time test?
No. It's an annual membership that includes one 83-biomarker test per year and renews unless you cancel, per Everlywell.
Can an at-home test diagnose diabetes or thyroid disease?
No. These tests can flag a result worth discussing, but diagnosis is made by a clinician, usually with confirmatory testing.
Are at-home lab tests accurate?
Everlywell says its kits are processed by CLIA-certified labs, and 360 uses Quest Diagnostics. Accuracy also depends on collecting the sample correctly. Unexpected results should be repeated through your doctor.
Is Everlywell available in every US state?
No. Everlywell says availability varies by state and is shown at checkout. Its site says kits aren't available in New York, and some kits have historically excluded New Jersey and Rhode Island too.
Can I buy these in Canada?
Not officially, as of October 2026. Everlywell and Signos say they're US only. Ask your doctor about lab tests, or see the Canada section above.
Should someone without diabetes use a CGM?
It can be educational, but evidence that it improves health in people without diabetes is limited. Read our CGM for non-diabetics explainer and talk to your doctor first.
Can I use HSA/FSA funds?
Everlywell 360, Function Health and Stelo say they're HSA/FSA eligible. Signos labels its plans HSA/FSA eligible, but its own FAQ says whether you can use those funds depends on your HSA/FSA provider. HSAs and FSAs are US accounts; in Canada, check whether a health spending account through work covers lab tests.
Talk to your doctor: If any result is outside the reference range, or you have symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight change or persistent fatigue, see a healthcare professional. Don't start, stop or change medication based on an at-home test.
Related reading:
- Best CGM of 2026: every continuous glucose monitor reviewed
- CGM for non-diabetics: is it worth the hype?
Final CTAs: Everlywell 360 → · Everlywell single tests → · Function Health → · Signos → · Stelo →
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