The 5 Best At-Home Metabolism Tests Of 2023 + How To Determine Your Metabolism Type

How well your metabolism is functioning is not only a sign of overall health but impacts many aspects of your well-being—and still, nearly 90% of the U.S. population is not metabolically healthy1. While there are many ways to boost and reset your metabolism, the first step is determining how your body is currently functioning. The best at-home metabolism tests provide insight into your health, without a visit to a doctor's office or a lab.

Before you pin your hopes on an at-home test that may not give you the information you need, though, let's hear from the experts. Below, learn more about the signs of a slow metabolism, how to determine your metabolism type, and who might benefit from a metabolism test. Plus, find our picks for the best at-home metabolism tests to help you take control of your health.

Your metabolism is a complex integration of hormones and enzymes that use food to create energy, which is either used immediately or stored as fat. An unhealthy metabolism can cause weight gain, gas, bloating, hormone irregularities, and blood sugar imbalances.

Your metabolism affects not only how fast you burn calories but how well you sleep, your mood, and how you feel in general. The best at-home metabolism tests help identify problems before they become serious.

Many factors contribute to your metabolic health. For one, certain medications can impact your metabolism, as can a sudden and dramatic calorie deficit. If you have a slow metabolism, you may notice difficulty losing weight, fatigue, general weakness, dry skin, and thinning hair. A slow metabolism can also affect your ability to concentrate and may trigger mood swings or symptoms of depression and anxiety.

A few major signs of a weak metabolism include:

There are three basic metabolic types: ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph. Most people fall into two of the three categories, so you'll likely experience traits of more than one.

Ectomorph: A typical ectomorph has a thin, lean body, flat chest, and small shoulders. They find it difficult to gain weight and may have periods of hyperactivity.

Mesomorph: These individuals are often athletic with a medium-sized body and broad shoulders. They gain muscle easily and carry any extra weight in their lower body.

Endomorph: A typical endomorph will have a larger bone structure and more body fat. They gain muscle and fat more easily and may find it difficult to lose weight. More frequently they have symptoms of slow metabolism and may fatigue easily.

At-home metabolism tests allow you to measure your metabolic rate. The best at-home metabolism tests give you an accurate overview of your metabolic rate, without visiting a laboratory or a clinic. When used correctly, these tests can be the first step to determining how well your metabolism is functioning.

There are several types of at-home metabolism tests. You'll either provide a sample of saliva or blood (or both), which you'll send to a laboratory to be processed. You'll then be given results via email or an app, often with recommendations for next steps.

At-home metabolic tests can identify specific hormone levels that affect your metabolism. However, they cannot measure your basal metabolic rate, which refers to the number of calories your body needs to sustain life at rest, without any activity.

Your basal metabolic rate is a good indicator of how fast or slow your metabolism runs. Research indicates that between one- and two-thirds of individuals who lose weight regain the weight within one year2, and nearly all regain the weight within five years.

People who have experienced unexpected weight gain without a change in their diet or exercise patterns may find an at-home metabolism test gives them some clarity as to what's going on in their body, which they can use to adjust their lifestyle.

Jack Jeng, M.D., chief medical officer at Hone Health, says the convenience of at-home tests is paramount. "They allow people to test when and where they want," he explains. "Patients do not have to take time off work, find child care, arrange transportation, or wait at a doctor's office or phlebotomy site."

Most metabolic tests measure the three key metabolic hormone indicators: cortisol, testosterone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Some include a more comprehensive hormone panel, measuring progesterone, vitamin D, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and insulin.

While your metabolic rate is highly influenced by your genes, you can boost your metabolism over time by building lean muscle mass. Factors that affect your metabolic rate include your age, body size and composition, physical activity, gender, and hormone balance. In some cases, a fast metabolism is triggered by a hormone imbalance.

Signs that you may have a high metabolic rate include unintentional weight loss, fatigue, elevated heart rate, and feeling hungry throughout the day. However, these symptoms may also be associated with other serious health conditions, unrelated to your metabolic rate. If you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms, be sure to consult with your primary care physician.

The best at-home metabolism tests range in cost from about $99 to $327. The price point reflects the level of testing and extent of follow-up support the company offers.

Each at-home metabolism test kit includes clear instructions outlining the best time to take the samples. You may be required to take the test after fasting for eight to 10 hours, depending on how the lab runs its analysis. We do not recommend you stop any medication without first consulting your physician.

When used properly, the best at-home metabolism tests can tell you if your hormone levels are within the ideal range. We evaluated the tests on the market for accuracy, quality, value, and lab certification. Each of these factors plays an important role in how you can use the results to improve your health. Just remember, your metabolic rate isn't the only factor that affects your metabolism. Other factors, such as age, physical activity, and gut microbiome impact your weight management and overall health.

As with all home tests, we recommend consulting with your primary care provider before use and as a follow-up, to better understand what the results show and how they can specifically help you out.