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Have you ever heard of Theranos? Elizabeth Holmes, its founder, promised groundbreaking health tests using just a drop of blood. While she exaggerated, the company tapped into a genuine need: the struggle with traditional blood tests.
Getting blood tests can be a hassle. Many require fasting, and for those afraid of needles, it’s even tougher.
This year, fitness tracker brands like Oura and Whoop began offering blood testing options as part of their subscriptions, though you’ll pay a bit more. There’s also Ultrahuman, which has a blood panel called Blood Vision that we haven’t tried yet due to availability issues in the U.S. Importantly, some states restrict direct access to tests without a doctor’s order.
I decided to test this out myself. Using the Oura app, I booked my blood tests, fasted for eight hours, and then had my blood drawn at Quest Diagnostics. The tech seemed puzzled by how many vials I was giving. Oura and Whoop covered the costs, and these expenses are eligible for health savings accounts.
When I compared the consumer blood panels to my regular tests through a doctor, I noticed a difference. The convenience of booking through an app sounds great, but if you have a primary care doctor, it can be less efficient. I recommend bringing a printed lab order to avoid issues—like what happened to me when the lab couldn’t find mine.
For my regular checkup, my doctor ordered a basic blood panel. It was simple—just three tests covering 20 biomarkers. In comparison, Oura’s blood test costs $99 and checks 50 biomarkers, including additional ones like blood glucose and insulin. The results were initially delayed but finally arrived, and I found an alarming high level of lipoprotein (a), which points to increased heart disease risk—a genetic issue not easily changed.
When looking at Whoop’s tests, they start at $349 and allow uploads from prior tests for free. They check 65 biomarkers, including expensive ones like vitamin D and hormone levels. While Oura missed my low iron and vitamin D levels, Whoop caught them, giving me clear action points.
This landscape is quickly evolving. A survey from the Health Affairs journal revealed that home testing is becoming increasingly popular, with about 60% of respondents open to using direct-to-consumer options. As these technologies advance, they can offer valuable insights into our health.
For more information, check out the latest trends and innovations in health tech and how they’re changing the way we monitor our well-being.
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