FAQs

Vitamin B7, also known as biotin, can cause misleading results or lead to unnecessary additional testing or treatment. Increased concentrations of biotin in the blood can affect certain types of laboratory tests called immunoassays because some of these tests use biotin as part of the testing method.

More specifically, biotin can affect:

•Thyroid hormone tests•Tests for hepatitis C•Testosterone•Estrogen•LH•FSH•DHEA-S•Cortisol•HIV•PSA

For best results, it is recommended to stop taking supplements containing vitamin B7 or biotin 24 hours before collecting your sample.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), or Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. They are usually spread during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. More than 30 different bacteria, viruses, and parasites are known to be transmitted through sexual contact. Some STIs can also be transmitted from mother-to-child during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Eight pathogens are linked to the greatest incidence of STIs. Of these, four are currently curable: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. The other four are incurable viral infections: hepatitis B, herpes simplex virus (HSV), HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV). Getting tested regularly for STDs/STIs can greatly improve your health and safety while preventing you from unknowingly spreading it to others.

Some STIs are much more common and have a shorter incubation period. The incubation period is the amount of time it takes from infection to the first symptoms or when you can pass it on to your partner. 

Chlamydia is the most commonly acquired STD in the U.S. In 2021, there were 1.6 million cases reported. It's spread mostly by vaginal or anal sex, but you can get it through oral sex, too. A person may notice an odd discharge from the vagina or penis, or pain or burning during urination. Only about 25% of women and 50% of men get symptoms. Chlamydia is caused by bacteria, so it's treated with antibiotics. The incubation period for Chlamydia is 3-10 days after exposure. After you are treated, you should get retested in one to three months, even if your partner has been treated. 

Gonorrhea is a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) caused by infection with the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. N. gonorrhoeae infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women, and the urethra in women and men. Gonorrhea has a very short incubation period of 1-5 days after exposure. and is a very common infectious disease. CDC estimates that, annually, more than 700,000 people in the United States get new gonorrheal infections, and less than half of these infections are reported to the CDC.

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite. The incubation period for Trichomoniasis is typically 5-28 days. In women, trichomoniasis can cause a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching, and painful urination. Men who have trichomoniasis typically have no symptoms. Trichomoniasis is one of the most common STIs in the United States, with a prevalence estimated at 8 million cases annually. 

Other STIs/STDs are less common and have longer incubation periods. HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis C are much less prevalent and have significantly longer incubation periods. They are also more common in certain demographics. The express STI kit is designed to target the most commonly acquired STDs and STIs and target a larger demographic at an affordable price. The male and female Comprehensive kit is also very affordable and includes more targets. It covers infections that are less common, but still important to get tested for at least annually.

Consistent testing is the optimal way to detect STIs/STDs that don’t exhibit any symptoms, particularly chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes. Asymptomatic STIs may appear to be harmless; however, these infections are still capable of causing significant damage. Untreated infections can result in permanent infertility, as well as an increased risk of cancer and HIV infection. Regular testing, treatment, and vaccination can reduce the spread of STIs/STDs and, in doing so, protect against the hidden damage they will cause.

Whether it’s low energy, weight gain, irritability, decreased sex drive or other symptoms, many women who approach 40 years of age or older,report feeling ‘different.’ 

At menopause, the ovaries become less responsive to FSH and LH hormones, so the body makes more of these hormones to compensate. Estrogen and other hormones decrease around menopause as well. By comparing the ratios of these hormones, menopause can usually be accurately diagnosed. It is always best to get your lab results reviewed by a provider.

​Thyroid hormones are also a vital part of our Women’s Wellness Panel. Approximately 1 in 8 women will be affected by a thyroid condition at some point in their lives. The risk for women is about 10 times higher than for men. One reason for the prevalence of thyroid disorders in women, occurs because there is an interplay between thyroid hormones and the hormones that fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. Thyroid problems can happen at any time, but they are especially common in women during and after menopause when hormone levels are changing. Some women may confuse the symptoms of thyroid disorders with the effects of menopause, which can prevent them from seeking treatment. If you are feeling tired, sluggish, having heart palpitations, or irregular periods, we recommend the Women’s Wellness Panel.

It is recommended that you do not discontinue any medication without contacting your physician.

Our normal business hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm (Pacific Time Zone).

When contacting Customer Support (admin@healthychecks.com) about your order, please provide the following:

•First & Last Name•Test Kit Name

•Shipping Address or Billing Address

If you have questions about sample collection or test results, please provide the following:

•First & Last Name of Test Taker

•Date of Birth

No, a signature is not required upon delivery. Our packaging is discreet, and the only information on the outside of the packaging will be the shipping label.

Our goal is to provide you with the most accurate, compliant and comprehensive results. Please anticipate a (4 to 5) day waiting period after your sample is shipped. You can expect to receive your test results via an email notification.

Kit registration connects a kit to its user and associated test results. It’s an easy process. Simply scan the QR code in your kit, and fill out necessary information. Please note that if you do not register your kit, your sample will not be processed.

Healthychecks accepts both FSA and HSA cards. They can be used like any normal debit or credit card would be used at checkout.

Your FSA or HSA card will cover the full cost of your testing kit if you have enough funds in your account.

Depending on the test kit you’ve purchased, Healthychecks testing uses a combination of dried blood spot immunoassays or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Both methods have been extensively validated by our testing labs laboratory scientists. Systematic reviews have reported 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity for screening on dried blood spot testing. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a test that looks for the genetic material of a bacteria, virus, or parasite. It is the test most commonly used test for gonorrhea and chlamydia and commands an accuracy rating of nearly 100%. PCR is the Gold Standard of testing when it comes to STDs and STIs. At Healthychecks, we offer the best and most cutting-edge testing, so you can confidently trust the results we provide.

Sample rejections can happen for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons that samples are rejected by the laboratory are: The sample exceeds stability time, meaning the sample was beyond the expiration date and could not be processed, QNS, meaning there was not enough sample collected to process, or over filling the urine specimen tube. If your sample is unable to be processed by the laboratory, you will be notified. Please call our customer service line so we can help collect a sample that can be successfully processed.

Will medications or supplements affect my results?

Which vitamins and supplements should be stopped before getting blood work and laboratory tests? (2023, July 10). ConsumerLab.com. https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/vitamins-and-supplements-that-should-be-stopped-before-getting-blood-work/vitamins-blood-tests/

Rosner, I., Rogers, E., Maddrey, A., & Goldberg, D. M. (2019, August 23). Clinically Significant Lab Errors due to Vitamin B7 (Biotin) Supplementation: A Case Report Following a Recent FDA Warning. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.5470

What are STD's & STI’s?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). (2023, July 10). www.who.int.https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)

Why do you have STD Express kits and STD comprehensive kits?

CDC - Gonorrhea Treatment. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/treatment.htm

Most Common STDs for Women and Men. (2014, August 12). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/most-common-stds-men-women

Trichomoniasis - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic. (2022, May 17). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trichomoniasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378609

Why does HealthyChecks recommend regular STD/STI testing?

The Dangers of Undiagnosed Sexually Transmitted Infections | ASM.org. (n.d.). ASM.org.https://asm.org/Articles/2022/December/The-Dangers-of-Undiagnosed-Sexually-Transmitted-In#:~:text=The%20Hidden%20Dangers%20of%20Undetected,of%20cancer%20and%20HIV%20infection.

How do I know that my test results are accurate?

Tuaillon, E., Kania, D., Pisoni, A., Bollore, K., Taieb, F., Ngoyi, E. N. O., Schaub, R., Plantier, J. C., Makinson, A., & Van De Perre, P. (2020, March 9). Dried Blood Spot Tests for the Diagnosis and Therapeutic Monitoring of HIV and Viral Hepatitis B and C. Frontiers in Microbiology; Frontiers Media. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00373

PCR is the most sensitive test for Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. (n.d.). http://www.clinlabnavigator.com/neisseria-gonorrhoeae-direct-detection.html#:~:text=The%20sensitivity%20is%2098%25%2C%20with,may%20cause%20false%20positive%20results.