This post is sponsored by EverlyWell in partnership with Fit Approach. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own.
As a health-conscious individual I’m good (mostly) about eating well, getting plenty of exercise and making it in to see my doctor for regular wellness checkups. I expressed my frustrations here before about the long wait times to get dr. appointments as well as how some of my health concerns have been blown off by my doctor with a quick explanation of “everybody’s tired”. When the opportunity arose to try out some of the at-home test kits from EverlyWell, I was all over it.
With my 10th marathon coming up this weekend, it may come as no surprise that I’ve been feeling somewhat wiped out lately. That’s why EverlyWell’s Sleep and Stress Test was of interest to me. I consider myself a good sleeper. But through these long months of marathon training, I’d often find myself completely exhausted and nodding off early despite keeping an early bedtime. I worried that stress was taking a toll on my health.
The appropriate test was quick and easy to order from the EverlyWell website. The kit arrived in the mail two days later.
Test Process
The sleep/stress data was gathered over the course of one day via four urine samples collected at various times: Upon waking, mid-morning, in the evening before dinner, and at bedtime. The samples absorbed onto “test papers”, allowed to dry completely, then sent off to the EverlyWell testing center via pre-paid UPS. Results were reviewed by a board-certified physician in my state.
The test measures the following factors
Cortisol: The main stress hormone, cortisol is responsible for increasing blood pressure, allowing more blood to flow to muscles, and for increasing blood sugar to supply energy. These are good things, except under chronic stress when they can have damaging effects, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and a suppressed immune system.
Cortisone: An inactive metabolite of cortisol. Ideally cortisone should rise and fall throughout the day in the same pattern as cortisol.
Creatinine: A byproduct of muscle metabolism. Very high levels of creatinine could indicate muscle injury, very low creatinine could indicate the urine is highly diluted. Ideally this number should stay fairly consistent throughout the day.
Melatonin: The main hormone associated with our sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms.
My results
Within about a week of sending off my samples, test results were delivered to my email inbox. I simply logged in to my EverlyWell account to read them. Unlike typical test results you get from your doc, EverlyWell provides an easy-to-read and understand, color-coded graphic. Red=high risk, yellow=elevated risk and blue=within reference range.
Cortisol
Ideally cortisol should be higher upon waking, even out through the day, then drop in the evening to allow sound sleep. The graphic above shows that my cortisol does that. I wonder though, if having levels in the red zone in the morning are ok? That is the time I workout and have coffee, so it makes sense they’d be elevated, but red zone??
Melatonin
It appears my melatonin levels are pretty stable throughout the day, then they climb in the evening. That explains why I feel so ready for bed and have no problem falling and staying asleep. Here again I wonder if those levels in the red zone are a problem.
I will take this up with my physician at my appointment (finally!) later this month. There is also an EverlyWell forum on Facebook and an online doc available to answer questions.
Vitamin D
Because I’ve been struggling with maintaining adequate level of Vitamin D for a few years now, I opted to do a blood test for that as well. Blame it on middle age, hypothyroid, all of the above, I already know my body does not do a great job of absorbing Vitamin D, so I make sure to eat plenty of Vitamin D rich foods and get at least the recommended 15 minutes of sun exposure daily. Because I took the test before summer ended, I was confident my Vitamin D levels would be fine because I made an effort to get plenty of sunshine. Wrong. They were low. Very low, in fact. How will I get through the winter if I’m already deficient when the sun’s rays are strongest?? Needless to say, I’ll be following up on this with my physician as well.
Overall I found the EverlyWell testing process to be very convenient. Check out the range of at-home tests and try them for yourself. Save 15% with code EVERLYFALL10 until November 20, 2016.
Have you ever tried an at-home health test? Do you struggle with cortisol? Vitamin D?
I thought this whole thing sounded very interesting when I heard about it. Great way to get some basic health info. Do they explain what your levels mean or give advice on how to alter things?
I hate I was not chosen to do this. I think it is a great test to stay on top of things. I hope you’ll give us an update on what the levels mean and what your Dr. has to say about them.
This is a very informative post! I have low vitamin D levels as well… I would like the cortisol & melatonin info, so may check this out with the discount. I have done home cholesterol testing before.
interesting! I did the food allergy testing when Sweat pink offered the discount. I might look into some of the other tests- with high deductible and copays these days – I think it is a pretty cool service and they are very responsive.
Interesting! I have never done any testing like this…it certainly looks convenient!
Interesting!
I’m only just now starting to hear about tests like this. I don’t know that I would try it, just because I haven’t noticed anything for concern, and I think there are so many factors that can go into results, that might not be clear from just an email.
Iron is always my struggle, but I try to handle that via food and supplements.
Fascinating! I have always struggled with good rest. Seems like this could be a very helpful tool while discussing health with your doctor. I’m curious to see what he/she says. Do they trust/appreciate the data?
I would expect your melatonin levels to be high in the evening–not sure what the “red zone” means, except that maybe it’s time for bed? The cortisol graphic seems ok to me too.
The vitamin D deficiency is interesting to me, since you supplement. I think I should have mine checked then too!
Because I run outside a lot, you might think that I get enough vitamin D, but my blood test showed low levels so I take a vitamin. By the way, thanks for the reminder to take my vitamin today!
Very interesting.
I am not a good sleeper so a test like this would intrigue me.
This is great! I am glad home tests are becoming a thing. It makes these kind of tests more accessible for people.
When I read about this campaign I didn’t really understand what it was about. But these results are really cool. I’m going to look into it on my own. Fascinating!
wow very interesting. I have been wanting to get tests like this done especially for cortisol, because I just cannot lose boy fat/belly fat. Thanks for the info!