myLAB Box Review Summary
Summary
myLAB Box provides at-home lab testing, including for STDs, at a competitive price without a doctor’s visit. Although these tests are just as accurate as the ones done in a clinic, insurance does not cover them.
7 Facts from our myLAB Box Review
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Products: 30+ unique testing options for wellness, nutrition, fertility, STDs, and more
- Ordering: You can order all myLAB products from mylabbox.com. Some are also available at Amazon.com and Walmart
- How it works: Customers order online, collect and mail back samples, and get results online in 1-5 days
- Reports: Lab-certified results for STDs, wellness & nutrition, drugs, fertility, and infections like COVID-19
- Cost: STD tests cost $79 for most individual tests – $399 for a 14-panel; others cost from $49-$199
- Complimentary products: Nebula Genomics (Whole Genome Sequencing with regularly updated reports and data exploration tools. CLIA-approved labs and can be used in consultation with your doctor)
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.
July 6, 2023
Table of Contents
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Customers can test for STDs in their homes
- More affordable than most in-person lab tests
- Free phone consultation with a myLAB Box doctor if a result is positive
- Accuracy is comparable to in-person diagnostic tests
- Fast lab results in 1-5 days
Cons
- Does not accept health insurance
- Does not test for oral herpes, ureaplasma, or Gardnerella
- Only available in the United States
Introduction
myLAB Box was founded in 2014 in Los Angeles, California, by Lora Ivanova. It is the longest-running at-home testing service for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) available in all 50 states. Its initial goal was to make STD testing easier, more affordable, and more accessible to customers. Today, the company sells over 30 unique health testing service options that provide lab results for wellness, nutrition, infections, fertility and family planning, and STDs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that sexually active individuals get tested for STDs every year. myLAB Box aims to give customers peace of mind knowing they can get tested without the hassle and potentially awkward conversations with medical professionals.
myLAB Box accepts FSA and HSA payment cards. However, it does not allow for insurance payments.
Taking a myLAB Box Test
Before reviewing myLAB Box tests, let’s take a look at how to get started.
Customers order their kit on MyLabBox.com and receive it in the mail. myLAB Box claims customers can collect their samples in as little as 5 minutes.
Depending on the type, customers provide a nasal swab, urine, vaginal swab, or blood obtained via finger prick. They then return the sample in the pre-addressed and prepaid envelope provided.
Results are available via a secure HIPAA-compliant portal 1-5 days after the lab receives the sample. If a test is positive, customers can receive a free phone consultation with a myLAB Box physician affiliate. In some cases, treatments such as antibiotics can be sent to a customer’s local pharmacy. Availability of consultation and treatment options vary.
Review of myLAB Box Tests
myLAB Box offers four categories of testing kits (STDs, wellness & nutrition, drugs, and fertility), COVID-19, and flu tests. Results are comparable to those obtained at a doctor’s office or clinical laboratory. All components and any test that falls under the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) purview have been reviewed. However, most myLAB Box tests have not been examined as the administration does not review laboratory-developed tests such as those offered by myLAB Box.
All testing is performed at myLAB Box’s partner CLIA-certified laboratories accredited by the College of American pathologists, allowing patients to use the results in consultation with a physician.
Most tests are unavailable in New York State.
Review of myLAB Box STD test
At-home STD test kits are myLAB Box’s main focus. In this review, “sexually transmitted diseases” (STDs) and “sexually transmitted infections” (STIs) are used interchangeably. Many medical conditions start as infections. myLAB Box offers tests for 15 disorders via 18 kits that can be completed entirely from home and come with a free consultation if a customer receives a positive test result.
In 2018, the CDC reported an increase in STDs for the fifth straight year, reaching an all-time high. For example, tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis saw 19%, 63%, and 71% increases, respectively.
The CDC recommends that all sexually active adults get STD testing annually. Mild symptoms in positive individuals, combined with the awkwardness associated with discussing your sexual health with a professional, have largely contributed to many people skipping this screening. myLAB Box aims to improve public health and eliminate this stigma with at-home tests that get more people screened and treated.
Multi-test boxes
Multi-test boxes with different combinations are available. These options are designed to provide comprehensive and targeted testing options in one box. All multi-test kits except for the V-Box offer both male and female versions (V-Box is intended for women’s health only).
| Tests included | Cost | |
| Safe Box – 5-panel STD test, highest risk factors | Chlamydia Gonorrhea HIV (I & II) Trichomoniasis | $169 |
| Uber Box* – 8-panel STD test, as thorough as clinical testing | HIV (I & II) Hepatitis C Herpes Simplex Type II Syphilis Chlamydia Gonorrhea Trichomoniasis | $199 |
| Total Box – 14-panel STD test – the most comprehensive | HIV (I & II) Hepatitis C Herpes Simplex Type II Syphilis Chlamydia & Gonorrhea (3-site) Trichomoniasis Mycoplasma genitalium Human Papillomavirus – HPV (optional) | $369 (without HPV) $399 (with HPV) |
| V-Box – 5-panel vaginal health – common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge | Yeast BV Trich Chlamydia Gonorrhea | $189 |
| Boomer Box – screening for common STDs and Hepatitis C for older adults | Chlamydia (genital) Gonorrhea (genital) HIV I/II Hepatitis C | $189 |
| PrEP Box – Screen for all STDs required to start and continue on PrEP (HIV prevention) | HIV Hepatitis B (not included in quarterly panel) Hepatitis C (not included in quarterly panel) Syphilis Chlamydia (rectal and genital) Gonorrhea (rectal, oral, and genital) Creatinine Pregnancy (women only) | $289 (Baseline panel) $399 (3-month quarterly) |
*Most popular option and the best deal. For two kits, customers can order a Love Box – Couples Kit and save 10% on each.
Individual tests
If customers are only interested in a single STI, they can purchase individual testing kits. Only Trich and Mycoplasma genitalium tests are available in New York state.
| Test | Cost | myLAB Box Notes |
| Chlamydia + Gonorrhea | $79 | Chlamydia + Gonorrhea are 2 of the top 4 new STIs |
| 3-Site Chlamydia and Gonorrhea | $179 | Includes tests for 3 sites (oral, anal, and genital) |
| Genital Herpes | $89 | Genital Herpes is the 2nd most common STD |
| HIV | $79 | In clinical trials, the myLAB Box at-home HIV test system was 100% sensitive and 100% specific |
| Trich | $89 | Trich is the 3rd most common STI |
| Cervical cancer screening using HPV | $89 | HPV is a virus that causes cervical cancer. This test is for women 30 years of age and older |
| HPV Women 30+ | $89 | HPV is the #1 most common STD. This test is only available for women 30 years of age or older. It should not be ordered by men of any age or by women under 30 |
| Mycoplasma genitalium | $89 | First to offer at-home screening for this new and important STI |
| Syphilis | $89 | Syphilis is the 8th most common STD |
| Hepatitis B | $99 | Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause liver damage |
| Hepatitis C | $79 | An estimated 2.7 to 3.9 million people in the U.S. have chronic hepatitis C |
Each product page provides an extensive overview of the condition(s) tested for, including definitions, symptoms, when to get tested, and how to prevent spread.
Review of myLAB Box General Health Tests
myLAB Box offers tests for multiple healthcare needs. The rapid tests are designed to return results in 10 minutes or less, much like an at-home pregnancy test.
| Test | Cost |
| Heavy metals | $199 |
| Rapid UTI | $59 |
| Vitamin D | $89 |
| Thyroid screening | $119 |
| Food sensitivity | $149 |
| Weight loss | $239 |
| Colorectal cancer screening | $79 |
| Perimenopause | $99 |
| Testosterone | $79 |
| Postmenopause | $99 |
| Diabetes | $74 |
| Cholesterol | $89 |
| Metabolism | $99 |
| Heart health | $99 |
| Inflammation | $99 |
| Adrenal stress | $149 |
| Skin | $199 |
| Sleep+Stress | $199 |
| Anti-aging | $199 |
| Fitness | $199 |
| Women’s health | $249 |
| Men’s health | $199 |
| Hepatitis B | $99 |
Drug Tests
At-home drug tests that determine the type and approximate amount of the most common legal and illegal drugs a person has taken.
| Tests included | Cost | |
| 5-panel drug test | 1. Cocaine 2. Amphetamine/Methamphetamine 3. Opiates 4. Phencyclidine or PCP 5. THC (marijuana) | $49 |
| 10-panel drug test | 1. Cocaine 2. Amphetamine/Methamphetamine 3. Opiates 4. Phencyclidine or PCP 5. THC (marijuana) 6. Oxycodone 7. Methadone 8. Barbiturates 9. Benzodiazepines 10. Diazepam | $69 |
| Comprehensive drug test | 1. Phencyclidine or PCP 2. THC (marijuana) 3. Benzodiazepines 4. Buprenorphine 5. Cocaine 6. Amphetamines/Methamphetamine 7. Oxycodone 8. Methadone 9. Opiates 10. Barbiturates 11. Ecstasy 12. Propoxyphene Fentanyl Tramadol (Ultram) | $99 |
Fertility Tests
myLAB Box offers three fertility tests for men and women.
| Test | Cost | myLAB Box Notes |
| Testosterone | $79 | Testosterone testing for men having concerns about fertility |
| Male fertility | $89 | Intended for men to conveniently and routinely measure sperm count |
| Ovarian reserve (follicle stimulating hormone) | $99 | Egg count testing determined by hormone levels in the blood |
Review of myLAB Box COVID-19 tests
The myLAB Box COVID test detects COVID-19 with a saliva sample. This differs from most COVID-19 tests, which use a more invasive nasal swab. This analysis is approved by the FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for conducting COVID-19 testing.
Results are available in as little as 3-4 days after ordering, allowing for shipping the sample overnight to the myLAB Box laboratory. The COVID-19 test must be ordered by a physician. It is currently available in all 50 states.
myLAB Box Reviews
There are several purchasing options from myLAB Box on Amazon. The most popular is the 5-panel STD panel for males. It has 4.2 stars with over 100 ratings.
Most reviewers thought the product was easy to use and comfortable to perform in their home. Some customers report that the tests were not accurate, giving them false positives. It should be noted that some of the images on Amazon do not match the product description. This is true for most of the items listed on this site.
On Trustpilot, the company has 3.8 stars with over 200 reviews.
Positive reviews focused on the process’s speed and the tests’ discrete nature. Negative reviews mainly indicated that they received kits without all the necessary supplies or had a poor customer service experience.
On the myLAB Box website, most customers rated the products 5 stars. The majority of the customers who gave lower ratings (3-4 stars) cited that they wished the company would offer reduced prices for returning customers.
Review of myLAB Box Privacy
myLAB Box is serious about customer privacy when it comes to packaging and shipping. All collection kits are delivered to the customer’s home in non-identifying shipment containers, with only the fulfillment center on the return address. The envelope to return the sample is also in discreet packaging.
According to its privacy policy, myLAB Box does not share personal information except in certain cases, such as fulfillment and shipping, necessary to provide the ordered services. Positive cases of STDs are required to be reported to the customer’s Department of Health in some states. The information is used for aggregated statistical reporting and disease tracking. It is against the law for Departments to share information with third parties.
myLAB Box bases its privacy standards and requirements on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and uses HIPAA web security protocols and data storage systems, along with SSL encryption, to protect customer data.
Nebula Genomics
Nebula Genomics offers 30x Whole Genome Sequencing service that sequences 100% of your DNA. myLAB Box uses blood samples to detect STD biomarkers and does not sequence DNA. These tests answer different questions about health and wellness. Thus, biomarker and DNA tests should be seen as complementary rather than alternatives.
Neither myLAB Box nor Nebula Genomics can diagnose diseases. However, our Whole Genome Sequencing data is of the highest quality and can be used by physicians and genetic counselors.
Individuals who believe they are at risk for a genetic disorder should consult a healthcare provider before taking DNA sequencing tests. In coordination, patients can use at-home lab tests like myLAB Box to screen for current health problems, which they can then confirm with their doctor.
| myLAB Box | Nebula Genomics | |
| Testing method | Biomarkers | DNA; Whole Genome Sequencing (all 20,000 genes and regulatory regions) |
| Reporting | STDs and other health conditions | Genetic predispositions |
| Ancestry reporting | No | Yes |
| Aid for making medical decisions | No, but CLIA-certified lab data can be used in consultation with physicians | No, but data is of the highest quality and can be used by physicians and genetic counselors |
| Cost | $79 – $399 | $0 – $299 |
Other companies
Another service you might be interested in is STDcheck.com, an on-site testing company with a focus on privacy and accessibility. Or, you can check out MicroGenDX, which offers advanced technology for a wide range of infections.
Interested in learning more about other at-home lab tests? You should also check out these other at-home testing reviews:
- 4U Health (allergies, sensitivities, pharmacogenetics, and STD/STI tests)
- BlueChew (at-home diagnosis and prescriptions for erectile dysfunction)
- empowerDX (women’s, men’s, heart, mental health, and more)
- Everlywell (wide range of health and wellness tests)
- imaware (at-home blood tests for a wide range of health conditions)
- InsideTracker (biomarker health tests and optional DNA test)
- LetsGetChecked (wide range of health and wellness tests)
- LifeDNA (nine reports based on SNP analysis)
- Nurx (sexual health testing and at-home prescriptions)
- 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)
- Verisana (hormone, gut, and STD tests, plus many more)
For gut health, you should explore:
- Biohm (gut health, including bacteria and fungi)
- Ixcela (blood test for gut health and personalized recommendations)
- Sun Genomics (gut microbiome testing and personalized probiotics for adults, children, and infants)
- Ombre (formally Thryve) (personalized probiotics)
- Viome (gut health and microbiome testing)
You may also be interested in virtual health care such as that offered by PlushCare, Teladoc, and Lemonaid Health!
Did you find our MyLab Box review helpful? You can read more reviews on our blog and check out our complete guide to the best DNA test kit and other home tests.
