imaware Review Summary
Summary
imaware test results are validated by a medical team to ensure the best possible interpretation. The tests are analyzed in CLIA- and CAP-accredited labs and are thus considered equivalent to those obtained in a traditional clinic. Prices for individual tests can be high.
7 Facts from our imaware Review
- Location: imaware’s headquarters are located in Houston, Texas, and tests are shipped to all 50 states except New York
- Active ingredients: Indicators that detect the presence and concentration of biomarkers in the blood’s plasma or serum. This information is analyzed to create a health profile
- Costs: $69 – $299
- Products: At-home kits, capillary testing, microarray testing, and medical analysis. Users can choose from nine kits available for testing multiple biomarkers
- How to Order: Through the website and online stores. Upon receiving the kit, you must send a blood sample in a vial
- Who the product is intended for: Individuals aged 18+ who want to check their biomarker levels or their chances of developing a condition
- Complementary products: Nebula 30X Whole Genome Sequencing is a reliable DNA Test that decodes all of your genetic blueprints with high accuracy
This review is written with the intent to be as unbiased as possible. However, it represents the opinion of an individual reviewer and is therefore subjective. Furthermore, at Nebula Genomics we seek to educate the public about the benefits of Whole Genome Sequencing. Information about our Whole Genome Sequencing DNA test is therefore incorporated into the review.
October 24, 2023
Table of contents
Edited by Christina Swords, PhD
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Results are reviewed by worldwide-renowned doctors
- A helpful customer service staff
- Unique lancet allows easier collection
Cons
- No analysis of genomic variants or SNPs
- Only available in the United States
Introduction
Jani Tuomi founded imaware, an at-home digital health platform in 2017. The site belongs to Microdrop LLC and its mission is to empower people with relevant information to help them transform their overall health and wellbeing.
Its co-founder, Tuomi, has a background in product and technology and was motivated to start imaware after an event in his family. A critical health condition affecting his brother made him realize that situations like that could be avoided if people had access to information about biological markers indicating imbalances.
So, he blended technology with healthcare to provide the services imaware offers. According to him, the company the mission of providing people with an affordable and reliable alternative to more expensive lab tests drives the company.
The business saw explosive growth during its first few years.
Jani states that “instead of getting sick care after the disease, it is better to practice true healthcare and screen for conditions at home before symptoms show.”
Logistics
imaware’s main headquarters are located in Houston, Texas. However, the health tests are available for shipping across the United States. It can ship only certain ones to New York.
imaware products include at-home capillary blood testing, microarray testing, and biomarker analysis to inform users about their results. According to the company, capillary blood testing is less invasive than regular lab testing since it requires less blood and has proven effective. Samples are handled, tested, and discarded using proper CLIA lab procedures.
The company claims it can test for several markers simultaneously to provide users with better insight into their overall health. In addition, it has a board of renowned doctors from prestigious institutions who design and validate each test. This ensures that there is a third-party verification of the accuracy of the results.
The Science Behind imaware
Human blood contains tens of thousands of biomarkers that are transported all over the body to fulfill a specific function. You’ve probably heard of markers such as cholesterol, thyroid hormone, and hemoglobin. For your body to function properly, the levels of all these proteins and hormones must be optimal. So if there is an imbalance in any of them, it could indicate a condition silently developing.
If you can detect a hormone or protein imbalance, you could be alerted of a condition as early as six or twelve months before it becomes symptomatic. Detecting the levels of specific markers only needs a small amount of blood, at least for imaware products.
imaware tests and markers
imaware offers nine distinct at-home kits grouped into five main categories:
- Women’s Health
- Women’s Health & Wellness Test (Nine markers that focus on key areas of women’s health.)
- Thyroid Screening Test
- Men’s Health
- Testosterone Monitoring Test
- Prostate Cancer Screening Test
- Men’s Health and Wellness Test (Ten markers that focus on vital areas of men’s health.)
- Immune Health
- Celiac Disease Screening (no longer available)
- Celiac Disease Monitoring Test (no longer available)
- Vitamin D Monitoring Test
- Immune Defense Test
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Test (no longer available)
- Heart Health
- Baseline Heart Health Test
- Vascular Inflammation Test (no longer available)
- Lipoprotein(a) Health Test (no longer available)
- Diabetes
- Prediabetes/Diabetes Screening Test
- Haptoglobin Genetic Test (no longer available)
- Allergies (no longer available)
- Food & Respiratory Allergy Test
Review of imaware: At-Home Health Tests
A combination of technology and health offers a convenient way for people to learn about their body’s composition and become proactive in their health. imaware picked up on this need and has grown since it started four years ago.
Based on user reviews across most of the platforms we researched, test results are as accurate as regular lab ones. The process of collecting blood samples is mostly the same, with variations on the type of vessel for collection.
Also, there are some specifications for the type of test being taken. The website and every kit box provides instructions and preparation.
According to the website, you should receive your results within seven days, but this is not always true. Many patients have reported getting their results in as little as two days.
Customer service is helpful and will usually solve your issue in the most streamlined way possible. If, for some reason, your results are inconclusive (inaware claims this happens to less than 1% of its patients), it will offer to send another kit free of charge.
How to use imaware
There is a general procedure that applies to all imaware at-home tests. It is pretty simple, but depending on the type taken, there might be some special diet requirements. Once you receive your box, you should first sign up and activate your kit.
Each sample-collection kit includes:
- Detailed instructions
- Biohazard bag to put your vial with blood sample in
- Alcohol wipe
- Bandage
- Two lancets
- A microtube for the blood sample
This is the step-by-step guide:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water to promote blood flow.
- When opening the home collection kit, put aside the return envelope and empty the box’s contents.
- Use the alcohol wipe to clean the area of the finger from where you will be taking your blood sample.
- Remove the purple cover of the lancet (screw and pull) and place it against your finger.
- Firmly press the lancet against your finger to force the needle into the skin.
- Massage your finger towards where you pricked to stimulate blood flow.
- Add 4-5 drops of blood into the tube, cap, and shake.
- If needed, place the bandage on your finger to stop blood flow.
- Place the tube with the blood sample inside the biohazard bag, then inside the box, and place that inside the bag with the return label.
- Mail the box to your nearest location as soon as possible.
You should be getting your results within two days in your inbox.
Review of imaware cost
Relative to most at-home and regular lab tests, imaware sells its kits at an affordable price. The cost for each includes the kit, the analysis, and detailed information for you to share with your medical advisor.
The least expensive kits cost $69, and the Food & Respiratory Allergy Test is the most costly as it covers a wide range of biomarkers. Unfortunately, the platform does not offer any bundles or subscriptions.
The kits are, in general, not covered by insurance, but they are eligible for HSA/FSA accounts. The company itself cannot bill insurance companies directly, and cannot guarantee coverage, as this will depend on the provider. It is willing to offer any documentation you might need to submit for reimbursement.
Review of imaware reports
The imaware test report will start with a description of the biomarkers tested, specific considerations, and your likelihood of having or not having the tested condition.
The next page or pages offer more detailed information on your markers and their levels. It also includes some notes on a possible course of action from your doctor and limitations. This information is to be shared with your health professional.
The report ends with additional information and scientific references in peer-reviewed journals.
Each report has two essential characteristics: (1) it is detailed, and (2) it is easy to navigate and understand. They do not include health recommendations but do advise patients to share the results with their doctor.
In general, the report does a good job of detailing the biomarkers and their levels. Customers may consider the fact that there are no health recommendations a limitation, but imaware believes that only your physician can provide that kind of medical advice.
How does imaware work?
The process involves three basic steps:
- Prepare and collect. Take all the preparation actions (fasting, drinking water, warming up, etc.), activate the kit, and take the blood samples.
- Secure & Ship. Place your samples in the biohazard bag provided, put the bag inside the box, and send in the provided return bag with the prepaid shipping label.
- Review & Take Action. View results safely on the online platform. Then, share your results with your medical provider to help develop a health action plan.
Is imaware safe?
Considering that a board of world-renowned doctors from prestigious institutions back up all the at-home tests, you can trust that they have the same accuracy as regular lab ones. The labs are located in the United States and are CLIA and CAP certified.
Once the lab processes the sample, a board of physicians review the test results to validate their accuracy.
Review of imaware Privacy
When a user signs up to receive a kit, the information will go to a database in the imaware platform. The data is used to connect the results with the patient. The amount of time imaware will keep personal information will depend on each state’s regulation.
Once the patient has activated their kit and sent it back for analysis, the results will be shared with a link via email. The patient can then access and download their results at any time.
imaware claims this information will not be shared or sold with any third party without the user’s permission. It also claims to have industry-grade encryption to protect data and that its platform is HIPAA compliant.
imaware in the News
Jani Tuomi and His Inspiring Journey Leading imaware™ in the Healthcare Sector Adam Torres from Mission Matters Innovation Podcast interviewed co-founder Jani Tuomi on what led him to create the company.
From celiac to COVID, Texas tech company pioneering at-home health tests The Houston Chronicle wrote this article about the convenience of imaware at-home tests, especially for the elder during the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 8 Best A1C At-Home Test Kits of 2021 Healthline also added imaware’s Prediabetes/Diabetes Screening Test to this top list as the best for physician-reviewed testing.
Favor Teams Up With imaware To Offer Discrete At-Home STI Tests To Women And People Who Menstruate, transforming healthcare accessibility and promoting sexual health awareness.
Other imaware Reviews
Most reviews across platforms like Trustpilot, Amazon, and Facebook are positive. Negative reviews on Trustpilot are addressed, and it seems like the company strives to achieve a positive outcome for the patient.
Nebula Genomics
There has never been such a time to own the information on your health and genetic composition and proactively make changes based on it. Have you not tested for your entire genome yet? Get started now with our 30x Whole Genome Sequencing that guarantees to decode 100% of your DNA.
If you would like to know more about how at-home tests work and look at other options, check out our reviews for at-home food sensitivity, thyroid, men’s health, and women’s health, among others.
Other companies that offer lab tests are:
- BlueChew (at-home diagnosis and prescriptions for erectile dysfunction)
- empowerDX (women’s, men’s, heart, mental health, and more)
- Curofit (cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure monitoring)
- InsideTracker (biomarker health tests and optional DNA test)
- LetsGetChecked (wide range of health and wellness tests)
- LifeDNA (nine reports based on SNP analysis)
- MintRx (at-home prescriptions and biomarker testing)
- MyLab Box (at-home STD testing)
- Nurx (sexual health testing and at-home prescriptions)
- OmegaQuant (blood test for omega-3 measurements)
- Paloma Health (at-home thyroid testing and consultations)
- Personalabs (over 400 lab tests taken at local labs)
- Rightangled (UK-based DNA and biomarker testing)
- RxHomeTest (biomarkers and genetic tests)
- STDcheck.com (on-site STD testing and consultation)
You may also be interested in virtual health care such as that offered by PlushCare, Teladoc, and Lemonaid Health!
Did you find our imaware review helpful? You can read more reviews on our blog and our complete guide to the best DNA test kit and other home tests.
