In this day and age, medical advice is readily available from a multitude of sources: the internet, our friends and family, drugstores, health stores, and of course, licensed healthcare professionals. We’re all looking for ways to look and feel our best while maintaining our health and immunity.
On a recent shopping trip to Target, we noticed a series of at-home lab tests by the brand EverlyWell. There were tests for Testosterone for men, hormone health for women, food sensitivity, and allergens to name a few. Our Medical Director at Fountain of You MD in Virginia Beach, Dr. Jeffrey Arbuckle, was immediately intrigued by the idea of being able to check hormone levels without a blood test. As a licensed and practicing board-certified physician for over 25 years, he is extremely well-versed in treating and testing hormonal imbalance in men and women. Aside from physical and mental symptoms, like low energy, difficulty with erections, and trouble sleeping, low Testosterone is most accurately diagnosed by a blood test. Dr. Arbuckle has ordered thousands of lab tests, all of which were completed and analyzed in CLIA-certified laboratories. The external packaging of the EverlyWell kit failed to mention a blood sample, which piqued Doc’s interest even more.
The kit came with thorough instructions on submitting the sample and retrieving the results. They claimed accurate results based on a small saliva sample. Our brave physician decided to become the patient and proceeded to take the test. To make things more interesting, Dr. Arbuckle had blood drawn by our nursing staff. We then sent both samples for testing: his blood sample to LabCorp and the EverlyWell kit to their lab.
The results from the blood test came back within 12 hours and showed his Testosterone levels within the normal range for a man his age at 824ng/dL. The results from the EverlyWell kit were received 8 days later and showed a “high” result of 352pg/mL. The difference in the levels, tested on the same day, at the same time, is astounding!
Over-the-counter Testosterone Test Results with EverlyWell
The world of medicine is constantly evolving. We’re learning more and more about the human body and how to keep ourselves feeling our best. While an over-the-counter test that measures hormone, levels sounds convenient and enticing, it’s best to be treated by a licensed medical professional. Here, at Fountain of You MD in Virginia Beach, Dr. Arbuckle is an expert at managing hormones in men and women across Hampton Roads. He is passionate about helping people look and feel their best at every stage of life. If you’re suffering from weight gain, low sex drive, unexplained hair loss, increased body fat, or loss of strength, you may have unbalanced hormones. The aging process and the inevitable hormonal changes can affect your overall sense of well-being. Now is the time to schedule your consultation! Call us now!
