LetsGetCheckedvsmyLAB Box
LetsGetChecked
myLAB Box
Side-by-side
| # | Product | Active ingredient | Starting price | FDA status | Score | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LetsGetChecked | — | $89/mo | service | Top ·7.5 | See offer → |
| 2 | myLAB Box | — | Best ·$79/mo | service | 7.4 | See offer → |
Side-by-side scoring breakdown
How they work
You order a test online, and a discreet kit ships to your home. You self-collect the required sample, most commonly a capillary (finger-prick) blood sample, but also urine, a swab, or saliva depending on the test, then mail it back in prepaid packaging. The sample is processed at a CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited US laboratory using clinical-grade methods (for example, NAAT/PCR-type molecular testing for STIs and immunoassays for hormones and antibodies). A physician reviews the order and results, results post to a secure online dashboard in about 2 to 5 days after the lab receives the sample, and a nurse from the clinical team calls to explain any abnormal findings.
You order a kit online, collect your own sample at home (finger-prick blood, urine, saliva, or an oral/vaginal/rectal swab depending on the test), and mail it back in a prepaid, discreet envelope. Samples are processed at high-complexity CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratories, the same type that handle clinic specimens, using established methods such as nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT/PCR) for STIs. Results post to a secure online dashboard, and a positive STI result unlocks a free telemedicine consult with a physician licensed in your state who can discuss treatment and may prescribe medication to a local pharmacy.
Effectiveness
LetsGetChecked itself does not publish independent clinical-trial efficacy data; its accuracy rests on running samples through CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited labs using validated clinical methods. The most relevant published evidence is about self-collection itself: a PLOS One systematic review and meta-analysis of 21 studies and over 6,100 paired samples found self-collected vaginal swabs for chlamydia had 92% sensitivity (95% CI 87-95) and 98% specificity (95% CI 97-99) versus clinician-collected cervical swabs, supporting self-swab as a recommended home-screening specimen. Real-world accuracy still depends on correct self-collection, adequate sample volume, appropriate timing relative to exposure, and shipping conditions, so home results are not guaranteed to match a clinic draw in every case.
myLAB Box does not run its own clinical trials; its credibility rests on the validated methods its partner labs use. The CDC identifies NAAT as the most sensitive and specific method for chlamydia and gonorrhea, noting FDA-cleared assays generally offer sensitivity well above 90% with very high specificity (usually 99% or higher). A 2015 systematic review and meta-analysis (PMC4500554) found self-collected vaginal swabs had about 92% sensitivity and 98% specificity versus clinician-collected cervical swabs, supporting self-collection as an acceptable approach. Note that the individual kits themselves are not FDA-approved; the company states its tests are laboratory-developed, its labs are CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited, and some test components are FDA-cleared.
Side effects
As a testing kit rather than a drug, LetsGetChecked has no pharmacologic side effects. Practical risks center on the finger-prick: minor pain, bruising, lightheadedness, or trouble getting enough blood, which can require a re-test. The more meaningful clinical risks are false negatives (missing a real condition because of collection error, low sample volume, or testing too soon after exposure) and false positives that cause unnecessary anxiety. Any actionable or abnormal result should be confirmed with a clinician before starting or stopping treatment.
As a testing service, there are no drug-style side effects. Physical risks are limited to minor finger-prick discomfort, a small bruise, or mild irritation from swabbing. The more meaningful risks are informational: a false negative (for example, testing inside an infection's window period) can give false reassurance, and a false positive can cause anxiety until confirmed. Self-collection errors or sample degradation in transit can also affect reliability, which is why any positive or concerning result should be confirmed with a clinician.
Cost & value
As of 2026, individual LetsGetChecked tests typically run from about $69 for basic single-marker tests to roughly $249 for the most comprehensive STI and wellness panels, with many common tests in the $89 to $199 range; a few advanced or multi-marker panels can reach the higher end of that scale. The company does not bill health insurance, so it is out-of-pocket, but you can usually pay with FSA/HSA funds, and subscriptions discount repeat testing by roughly 15% to 30% depending on frequency. Promotional codes and seasonal discounts appear periodically. For some routine labs, insurance-covered testing through your doctor or a discount lab may cost less.
As of 2026, expect to pay fully out of pocket. Individual tests run roughly $22 to about $99, while panels are priced higher: Safe Box (5-panel STI) around $179, Uber Box (8-panel) around $199, Total Box (14-panel) around $369, Thyroid screening around $125, and Women's Health + Fertility around $249. Insurance is not accepted, but FSA/HSA cards typically are, and the company frequently runs promo codes (often 10-20% off). Shipping is free both ways. Prices vary by promotion and resellers may list different figures, so confirm the current price at checkout.
Who it's for
Best for adults who want private, convenient screening or routine monitoring (STIs, cholesterol, HbA1c, thyroid, vitamin D, testosterone, female hormones) without a clinic visit, and who can pay out of pocket. Avoid relying on it if you have acute or severe symptoms, need an urgent or definitive diagnosis, are pregnant with high-risk concerns, or require insurance coverage. It is not a substitute for emergency care or for clinician-ordered diagnostics, and shipping is restricted in some states (historically tests have been limited in New York and not shipped to New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Alaska, with telehealth follow-up unavailable in several additional states). Always confirm abnormal results with your own provider.
Good for adults (and, per the company, those 14 and older) who want private, convenient screening, have a potential exposure, want routine sexual-health checks, or cannot easily access a clinic. Do not rely on it alone if you have acute or severe symptoms (e.g., pelvic pain, testicular pain, fever, or sores), are pregnant, or are managing a known condition; those situations need prompt in-person care. It does not test for HSV-1 (oral herpes), is not a diagnosis, and should not replace regular care with a clinician. Anyone with a positive or unexpected result should follow up with a provider for confirmation and treatment.
Bottom line
myLAB Box: myLAB Box is a legitimate at-home, mail-in testing service that ships your self-collected samples to CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited labs using clinic-grade methods like NAAT for STIs. It is convenient and discreet, with a free telehealth consult for positive STI results, but the kits themselves are not FDA-approved, results can take a week or more, insurance is not accepted, and it is a screening tool, not a substitute for a doctor. Both are strong options — match the pick to your specific needs, budget, and clinician's guidance.
Sources behind our LetsGetChecked and myLAB Box reviews
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 — CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Recommendations and Reports (2021)
- STI Screening Recommendations — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2021)
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 (PMC full text) — MMWR Recommendations and Reports / PubMed Central (2021)
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: Updates From the 2021 CDC Guidelines — American Family Physician (AAFP) (2022)
- Self-Collected versus Clinician-Collected Sampling for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis — PLOS ONE (2015)
- Self-Collected versus Clinician-Collected Sampling for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PMC) — PLOS ONE / PubMed Central (2015)
- Self-collection of samples as an additional approach to deliver testing services for sexually transmitted infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis — Journal of the International AIDS Society / PubMed Central (2019)
- At-home specimen self-collection as an additional testing strategy for chlamydia and gonorrhoea: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis — Sexually Transmitted Infections / PubMed Central (2024)
- Accuracy of self-collected versus healthcare worker collected specimens for diagnosing sexually transmitted infections in females: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis — BMC Infectious Diseases / PubMed Central (2024)
- Testing for extragenital Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis: At-home pharyngeal and rectal self-swabs are non-inferior to those completed in healthcare settings — Sexually Transmitted Diseases / PubMed Central (2024)
- Screening for HIV Infection: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2019)
- Screening for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2021)
- The A1C Test & Diabetes — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH) (2018)
- Diabetes Tests & Diagnosis — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH) (2016)
- Additional 12 Million U.S. Adults Eligible for Diabetes Screening — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2022)
- Screening for Colorectal Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2021)
- Accuracy of Fecal Immunochemical Tests for Colorectal Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis — Annals of Internal Medicine / PubMed Central (2014)
- Performance Characteristics of Fecal Immunochemical Tests for Colorectal Cancer and Advanced Adenomatous Polyps: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis — Annals of Internal Medicine (PubMed) (2019)
- USPSTF Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendation and Uptake for Individuals Aged 45 to 49 Years — JAMA Network Open / PubMed Central (2024)
- Statin Use for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2016)
- Screening for Prostate Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2018)
- Screening for Prostate Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement (PubMed) — JAMA (PubMed) (2018)
- Thyroid Function Tests — American Thyroid Association (2019)
- Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid) — American Thyroid Association (2019)
- Vitamin D Deficiency — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine) (2025)
- Vitamin D — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH) (2023)
- A randomised study of nurse collected venous blood and self-collected dried blood spots for the assessment of cardiovascular risk factors in the Understanding Society Innovation Panel — Scientific Reports (Nature) (2023)
- Meet Our Lab: CLIA-Certified and CAP-Accredited Laboratory — LetsGetChecked (2024)
- Are the tests performed by LetsGetChecked's partner laboratories the same as tests performed by other healthcare facilities? — LetsGetChecked Help Center (2024)
- A Look Inside a CAP Laboratory Audit — LetsGetChecked (2023)
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2021)
- Recommendation: Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Screening — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (2021)
- Recommendation: Syphilis Infection in Nonpregnant Adolescents and Adults: Screening — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (2022)
- Screening for HIV Infection: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement — JAMA (2019)
- Recommendation: Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Adolescents and Adults: Screening — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (2020)
- Performance of three nucleic acid amplification tests for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae by use of self-collected vaginal swabs obtained via an Internet-based screening program — Journal of Clinical Microbiology (2009)
- Clinical Evaluation of the Cepheid Xpert TV Assay for Detection of Trichomonas vaginalis with Prospectively Collected Specimens from Men and Women — Journal of Clinical Microbiology (2018)
- Adolescent women can perform a point-of-care test for trichomoniasis as accurately as clinicians — Sexually Transmitted Infections (2010)
- Evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of dried blood spots for serological testing of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C Elecsys assays on the Roche Cobas system — Pathology (2023)
- Comparability of HbA1c and lipids measured with dried blood spot versus venous samples: a systematic review and meta-analysis — BMC Clinical Pathology (2014)
- New FDA Information on OraQuick In-Home HIV Test — HIV.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) (2020)
- Increasing Access to HIV Testing Through Direct-to-Consumer HIV Self-Test Distribution — United States, March 31, 2020–March 30, 2021 — MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) (2021)
- WHO updates HIV testing guidance: more self-testing, integration, and prevention support — World Health Organization (WHO) (2024)
- FDA Approves HPV Tests That Allow for Self-Collection in a Health Care Setting — National Cancer Institute (NCI) (2024)
- American Cancer Society Statement: FDA Approval of HPV Self-Collection for Cervical Cancer Screening — American Cancer Society (2024)
- Policies of US Companies Offering Direct-to-Consumer Laboratory Tests — JAMA Internal Medicine (2023)
- STD Testing: At Home Test Kits Explained (How It Works) — myLAB Box (Manufacturer) (2024)
- Frequently Asked Questions — myLAB Box (Manufacturer) (2024)
Editorial comparison, not medical advice. Discuss options with a qualified clinician. Individual results vary.