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About LetsGetChecked
LetsGetChecked is a health and diagnostic company that provides customers with access to regulated laboratory testing from the privacy and comfort of their own homes. The New York-Dublin based company offers a range of at-home testing kits, including tests for cardiovascular health, digestive health, fertility and metabolic health, STD screening, genetic screening for certain cancers, as well as COVID-19 tests for frontline workers.
Founded in 2014, this home lab test start-up has been featured in Cosmopolitan, CNBC, CTV News, Bloomberg and TechCrunch. Most of these media outlets have lauded the company for providing a convenient and confidential solution to receiving medical testing online.
LetsGetChecked also has a substantial social media presence with 15.5k followers on Instagram and 11.1k followers on Facebook. LetsGetChecked may not be a pioneer in a healthcare market that is increasingly moving diagnosis and tests online, but the brand clearly has a following. So, what makes LetsGetChecked distinct in a competitive market?
This LetsGetChecked review will provide you an overview of the brand, a look at some of the tests that the company offers, and share customer experiences. We’ll tell you if these kits are a good alternative to the agonizing wait experienced in most doctors’ offices and hospitals.
Overview of LetsGetChecked
Home health tests, checkups, and diagnostics have never been more sought-after, especially at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is keeping the global healthcare workforce on their toes. Enter LetsGetChecked, with the mission of ‘empowering you to prioritize your wellbeing and take control of your health.’
The company also maintains a commitment to protect customers’ privacy and data. The entire testing process is confidential with test results being password protected and payment information encrypted. More on this later in this LetsGetChecked review.
LetsGetChecked’s goal is to link customers to lab testing directly. This is particularly useful for so many of us who have trouble finding time to visit a clinic, and those exasperated by long wait times in doctors’ offices. It’s no wonder that LetsGetChecked is so popular, having performed over 785,000 tests throughout Canada, Ireland, the US, and the UK.
Before we go through a step-by-step process of how the process works, this LetsGetChecked review will give you a brief prognosis of the company’s pros and cons and a quick reading of their pulse:
Pros
- Partner lab facilities are CLIA, INAB, CPA, or CAP certified
- A range of at-home tests to choose from
- Affordable pricing
- Discreet packaging
- Free shipping
- Free phone consultation available if you test positive for a medical condition
- Live online chat available for general queries
- Quick, free, and simple shipping both ways
- Lab results in less than a week
Cons
- Shipping available only in Canada, Ireland, United States and United Kingdom
- Not really a one-stop-shop for health tests; customers may need to shop elsewhere for routine assessments
How LetsGetChecked Works
So, how does LetsGetChecked work exactly? This LetsGetChecked review will give you a reading of the entire process:
- Choose a test to order on the company’s official website, on the app or via Amazon.
- The test, which is anonymized and assigned a unique barcode, is shipped from the company’s ISO accredited facility and is trackable online.
- To register your kit, click on the ‘Activate Test’ tab at the top of the LetsGetChecked company website and log into your personal account.
- After collecting your sample, place it into the biohazard bag provided and return the kit to the address on the prepaid shipping label the same day.
- You will receive a notification once the sample arrives at the designated lab.
- Once the sample has been processed, a team of physicians will review the results and a nurse will contact you to discuss what the next steps are, if any.
Customers receive test results 2-5 business days after their sample reaches the lab. The lab results and health information are saved on the LetsGetChecked dashboard. You can use it to track, monitor, and improve your health over time. You can also access the results through the LetsGetChecked mobile app, available as an Apple App Store download or on Google Play. The app interfaces with Apple Health, Fitbit, Garmin and other health tools.
LetsGetChecked offers 34 at-home testing kits under four categories for the general public:
- Health tests that are exclusive to men (Hormone and PSA tests)
- Health tests that are exclusive to women (Fertility, hormone and HPV tests)
- General wellness tests (Colon cancer, cholesterol, diabetes, vitamin, cortisol, vitamin, thyroid, liver and kidney tests)
- Sexual health tests for a wide range of STDs.
If you are a front-line worker in the US, LetsGetChecked now offers COVID-19 tests as well.
Most LetsGetChecked kits require urine, blood, a vaginal swab, nasal swab, or stool sample. These kits either come as single tests; for example, products that test liver and kidney function; or as a combination of several related tests, like the Standard 5 STD Kit, which includes Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, HIV, and Syphilis testing.
All of the equipment needed to collect samples are included in the testing kits. There are also video resources on the company website outlining how to collect a sample. Still with us? In the subsequent sections, this LetsGetChecked review will guide you through some of their top selling tests.
LetsGetChecked Female Hormone Test
Skeptical about the validity of your fertility app? A finger prick and $129 could clear your doubts with the LetsGetChecked Female Hormone Test. The cost did make my eyes widen, until I chased the why.
The test offers a comprehensive picture of fertility status, including signs of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), ovarian failure, low ovarian reserve, early menopause and thyroid issues. All from just a pin prick.
For accurate results, the sample must be taken on Day 3 of your menstrual cycle. It is important that no hormonal contraceptives are ingested at the time of the sample collection, which should be done after fasting overnight for 8 hours, before 9am, and needs to be returned for testing that same day.
The LetsGetChecked Female Hormone Test is ideal for those planning a pregnancy, or women who are simply curious about their fertility.
LetsGetChecked Male Hormone Test
A grim fact first: A 2007 study found that levels of testosterone (the primary sex hormone in men) in American males have dropped substantially since the 1980s, with average levels declining by about 1% per year. Globally, too, healthy sperm counts have dropped by 50% in the last 40 years, making hormonal imbalances and reduced testosterone one of the leading concerns in male health. Something even more concerning? Most cases go undiagnosed.
The LetsGetChecked Male Hormone Test is for men who feel some or all of these symptoms: Low energy or fatigue, erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, infertility, anxiety, depression or brain fog, enlarged breast tissue, bloating, headaches, blurred vision, and loss of bone density.
LetsGetChecked highly recommends the Male Hormone Test for men who undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy, suffer from Klinefelter syndrome, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, hemochromatosis, pituitary gland disorder, chronic stress, a family history of low testosterone, thyroid issues, kidney or liver disease, and/or anorexia nervosa.
There are four different types of LetsGetChecked Male Hormone Tests:
- The simple Testosterone Test ($69)
- The Male Hormone Test ($139), which includes two additional hormone tests
- The Male Hormone Plus ($159) package, which contains an additional test to check the hormone that controls erectile function and libido
- The Male Hormone Advanced ($179) package which, in addition to all the other tests, checks the hormone responsible for testosterone secretion and the development of mature spermatozoa
The tests must be taken after an 8 hour overnight 8 fast, before 9am, and returned the same day. Customers who bought these kits swear they were a game-changer in bed and for improving how they feel on a day-to-day basis. A small price to pay for big changes like these.
LetsGetChecked Vitamin Test
Vitamin deficiency is a popular diagnosis made by parents and grandparents for basically any physical, mental, and emotional malady… or wait, is this just my experience? Their suggested remedy, which incidentally applies to all other ailments as well, includes ladling out a hefty serving of our least favorite greens (yuck). So, yeah, LetsGetChecked.
LetsGetChecked offers individual testing kits for Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D, along with a Folic Acid Test. These tests require a finger prick and must be taken after having fasted overnight for 8 hours, before 9am, and returned on the same day. Before this LetsGetChecked review jumps into who these tests are for, let’s first take a look at why these vitamins are as important as our grannies said they were.
Vitamin B12 is responsible for maintaining a healthy nervous system and generating red blood cells. Tests that evaluate Vitamin B12 levels are recommended for those who suffer from chronic fatigue, follow a plant-based diet, plan on becoming pregnant, are aged over 50, and suffer from Crohn’s or Celiac diseases. The LetsGetChecked Vitamin B12 Test is priced at $89 per kit.
Vitamin D plays a vital role in maintaining strong bones and teeth, regulating immune system function, and combating depression. Tests for Vitamin D are advised for those who tick either some, or all of the same boxes of symptoms mentioned for Vitamin B12, in addition to those suffering from asthma, menopausal women, those at risk of developing osteoporosis, and those who don’t have the opportunity to get sufficient sunlight. Vitamin D tests are also priced at $89 per kit.
Folate, also known as Vitamin B9, establishes the building blocks for rapid cell growth during fetal development, infancy, adolescence, and pregnancy. A Folic acid test may also be taken to identify the cause of anemia or malnutrition. The LetsGetChecked Folate Test is $98.
LetsGetChecked Iron Test
If you’re like me, “Iron deficiency”, is a diagnosis you’ve doled out to others and yourself a dozen times without really knowing what it means. At least, I thought I did. Until now. I finally took the pain to read up on it for this LetsGetChecked review.
Interestingly enough, what you may think is a lack of iron could actually be an excess of the vital mineral instead. Quite an eye opener for those of us who are quick to label the slightest problem as a deficiency of some sort. The LetsGetChecked Iron Test determines if you are at risk of iron deficiency anemia or an iron overload, known as hemochromatosis.
Symptoms of iron deficiency include cold hands and feet, brittle nails, cravings for non-food sustenance such as dirt or ice, extreme fatigue and weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, headaches, and a sore or swollen tongue. Symptoms of iron overload may include abdominal and joint pain, fatigue, weakness, loss of libido, or diabetes.
The LetsGetChecked Iron Test is recommended for those who are vegetarian or vegan, frequently donate blood, suffer from low energy, or have a family history of hemochromatosis (Northern Europeans are particularly susceptible). This simple and eye-opening kit requires a finger prick, priced at $99.
LetsGetChecked Standard 5 Test
The LetsGetChecked Standard 5 Test package includes a combination of tests for sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), including chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV (I, II, P24 antigen), syphilis and trichomoniasis. These tests require finger prick and urine samples taken after fasting overnight for 8 hours, before 9am, and returned on the same day.
Did you know that 80% of sexually transmitted diseases show no symptoms? This is why early detection is crucial to avoid long term consequences and prevent transmission to a partner. If symptoms do occur, they are likely to present themselves within 2 weeks of infection.
Some symptoms of STDs include painful urination, pain during sexual intercourse, rash, itching, irritation or unusual bumps on the genitals and/or anus, abnormal male or female discharge in terms of smell, consistency, color or volume, and strong vaginal odor.
LetsGetChecked recommends this test for those who are sexually active, people who’ve had unprotected sex, and those entering a new sexual relationship. Because STDs can take a period of time to become detectable, you should wait at least 4 weeks from the time of potential exposure to disease before taking this test. However, STDs like syphilis can take up to 12 weeks to become detectable.
There’s a reason why the Standard 5 Test is among LetsGetChecked’s most popular testing kits: the entire process is confidential. The last thing you need is a nurse calling out your name down a cold corridor, refusing to make eye contact with you, and making you feel worse when you already feel awkward enough just being there. The Standard 5 Test costs $149 (condescending nurse not included).
LetsGetChecked Coronavirus Test
In March this year, LetsGetChecked rolled out its FDA-authorised home tests for SARS-COV-2 (otherwise known as COVID-19). Their aim was to relieve pressure put on over crowded hospitals that struggled to keep up with the abundance of Covid-19 testing needed. The company’s at home test was also released with the intention to speed up early identification of cases.
Solely intended for individual healthcare providers and organizations, these tests are for those who have mild symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. Before ordering a test, customers will have to undergo a one-time assessment to determine their eligibility. Those with severe symptoms will not be qualified to order a kit and are advised to seek emergency care immediately.
Severe symptoms of COVID-19 include: extreme difficulty breathing, severe and constant pain or pressure in the chest, dizziness, confusion, slurred speech or difficulty speaking, blue colored lips or face, seizures, coughing up blood, and symptoms of low blood pressure (cold, pale, clammy skin, light-headed and too weak to stand).
LetsGetChecked also recommends consultation with a healthcare provider before using this test if you have health conditions that could put you at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. These conditions include: chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, compromised immune system (post organ or bone marrow transplant, HIV, use of corticosteroids or other immune weakening medicines), obesity, serious heart conditions, sickle cell disease, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus, asthma, cystic fibrosis, hypertension or high blood pressure, neurological conditions like dementia, liver disease, pregnancy, pulmonary fibrosis and Thalassemia.
Mild symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or feeling feverish (chills, sweating), body aches and muscle pain, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath (but able to speak), sore throat, change in smell or taste, and vomiting or diarrhea.
Once customers pass the eligibility test, they can place an order on a testing kit. The test requires a gentle lower nasal swab. The LetsGetChecked Coronavirus Test kit comes with a UPS next day air return shipping label to send your sample back to a partner lab. The samples are analysed and the results are delivered within 24-72 hours of the sample being received. The kits are currently available only in the US and cost $119 each.
LetsGetChecked Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
That’s enough information on finger pricks, tests, and ailments. This LetsGetChecked review will now focus on the company itself.
Of the 5,066 customer reviews on TrustPilot, 78% have rated LetsGetChecked services as excellent. On Amazon, customers gave the company 4.1/5 stars. Excellent customer care, simple steps, discreet, quick, and easy to track results, as well as detailed reporting, are among the most commonly cited reasons for the company’s popularity.
Here is a LetsGetChecked review on TrustPilot that captures a popular customer sentiment:
“At first, I was nervous about how this was going to work, how I would get my blood drawn and send my urine across states but there’s literally directions for every little step you do. LetsGetChecked is so much easier and more relaxing to get checked at the comfort of my own home rather than going to the doctor.”
LetsGetChecked.com reviews particularly commend the company for their home STD testing kits. The few shortcomings cited by customers include an excess of promotional emails and occasionally shoddy customer service.
Is LetsGetChecked Worth It?
After scouring the internet for customer reviews and having placed an order myself, this LetsGetChecked review strongly recommends these services and regards the company as safe, trustworthy, and reliable.
When you’re ailing, the pain of being overloaded with information, the nerve-wracking wait at hospitals, and the frantic shuffle between departments can be worse than the actual ailment itself. In terms of online medical services, it’s hard to find a platform you can trust.
LetsGetChecked does things differently. They don’t claim to be substitutes for doctors. Their goal is to inform, and they successfully do that by being completely transparent with your diagnosis and all testing processes.
If you test positive for a health condition, LetsGetChecked offers a free consultation with a registered nurse. The nurse will provide further information about your results, answer queries you may have, and in some cases, prescribe medication.
This LetsGetChecked review delivers its final verdict: A definite yes! The hospital is not a place I want to be for a minor ailment in the middle of a pandemic. If you’re concerned about issues with confidentiality, read up on LetsGetChecked policies and reach out to them if you have questions.
LetsGetChecked Promotions & Discounts
This LetsGetChecked review found that you can save 20% by using the LetsGetChecked promo code HEALTH20 at checkout. A LetsGetChecked discount code can also be found intermittently on their social media.
Where to Buy LetsGetChecked Tests
You can order a test kit online at LetsGetChecked.com, on Amazon, or directly from the company’s iOS and Android app. The kits are also available at some retail stores and pharmacies like CVS and Walmart.
FAQ
How long do results from LetsGetChecked take?
LetsGetChecked aims to have results ready in 2-5 business days after the lab receives the sample. When the results are ready, customers will get an email to let them know their results are available on their LetsGetChecked dashboard.
How do you send LetsGetChecked samples to the lab?
Customers are required to place the biohazard bag with the sample(s) back into the white LetsGetChecked box that the test came in. Please ensure the Lab Sticker on the inside lid is filled-in, then place the white box into the pre-paid return envelope provided with your test kit.
If your return method is standard post, you can simply place the sealed box/package, with your samples, in a standard post box.
LetsGetChecked recommends that customers collect their samples between Monday and Thursday before 10am and return it to the lab the same day to ensure the samples reach the lab before the weekend.
What is LetsGetChecked’s Shipping Policy?
LetsGetChecked offers free shipping. At present, the company only offers services in Canada, Ireland, the US, and the UK. LetsGetChecked also does not ship to the following locations:
- Rhode Island
- New Jersey
- Alaska
- Air/Army Post Offices (APO)
- Fleet Post Offices (FPO)
- Diplomatic Post Offices (DPO)
Residents in Quebec will have to purchase kits directly from the company’s iOS app, or contact customer care.
What is LetsGetChecked’s Return Policy?
In order to cancel your LetsGetChecked test order, you have to inform them of your decision in writing (see the next section for contact details). After reaching out to LetsGetChecked customer service, you must return the kit you received within 14 days from notifying them of your decision to cancel. Return fees are the customer’s responsibility.
How to Contact LetsGetChecked
For general queries, customers can write to LetsGetChecked through the company’s official website via the Contact Page. If you have any concerns about the information that appears on the site, you can contact the company by:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 647-694-2422
- US mail: 330 W 38th, 405, New York, NY,10018, United States
- UK mail: UNIT 3, Adelphi House, George’s Street Upper, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, A96 NY82, Ireland
After this LetsGetChecked review, explore some other testing options:
It’s a nice concept, and may well be a legitimate company, but trying to get even a teaspoon of blood one drop at a time (from a finger prick) is going to take most people 20-50 minutes like it took me – and then likely your sample will be hemolyzed. Or, you get your sample to a UPS dropoff location, and it isn’t picked up for 8 hours – another reason the sample could be hemolyzed and thus useless.