Contents18 sections
Hone Health (formerly Peak) is a US telehealth company built around men’s hormone health: an at-home blood test, a video consultation with a physician and, when it is warranted, treatment such as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) delivered to your door.
Testosterone declines gradually with age, and symptoms like low energy, poor sleep, low libido and brain fog are common in men from their 30s onward. Many of the same symptoms also come from stress, poor sleep or weight gain, so a proper blood test, not a guess, is the first step.
We ordered Hone’s at-home test and went through two physician consultations in mid-2021. This review covers that hands-on experience, what the test measures, how Hone approaches low testosterone, the treatments it offered and what to check on cost before you sign up.
Key Takeaways
- Hone Health (formerly Peak) is a US men’s health telehealth service: an at-home hormone test, a video consultation with a physician and, when warranted, treatment delivered to your door.
- Our 2021 kit measured nine markers, including total and free testosterone, SHBG, estradiol, LH and liver enzymes, which is broader than a testosterone-only home test.
- For a 29-year-old with low-normal testosterone, the physician started with lifestyle changes and supplements instead of TRT. Afternoon fatigue was gone within six weeks.
- We paid $45 for the test in 2021. Prices, plans and state availability have changed since, so check the current cost of the test, membership, medication and follow-up labs.
- A single finger-prick result is a screening step. Guidelines diagnose low testosterone with two early-morning blood tests plus symptoms.
What Is Hone Health?
Hone Health, which launched in 2020 under the name Peak, is a US telehealth company for men’s hormone health. Instead of booking an in-person appointment and a separate lab visit, you order a test kit online, collect a blood sample at home and go over the results with a physician by video. If you need treatment, the prescription is delivered to you.
Hone’s menu has grown since we tested it. Treatments, prices and the states where Hone can prescribe change over time, so check the current details on the company’s site before you sign up.
The Founder’s Story
Hone was founded by Saad Alam. In the company’s launch post on Product Hunt, he said that at 35 he started losing energy, stamina, sleep quality and sex drive, and gaining weight. His primary care doctor told him it was in his head, and it took six months and several specialists before he was diagnosed with low testosterone. Treatment brought his energy, mood and confidence back, and he built Hone to make that process easier for other men.
How Hone Approaches Low Testosterone
There is no single cutoff for low testosterone. Reference ranges differ from lab to lab, and the major guidelines use slightly different numbers:
| Guideline | Low testosterone threshold | What else is required |
|---|---|---|
| American Urological Association (2018) | Total testosterone below 300 ng/dL | Two early-morning tests on different days, plus symptoms or signs |
| Endocrine Society (2018) | Below the lower limit of a harmonized reference range (264 ng/dL in healthy, non-obese men aged 19-39) | Consistently low morning levels, plus symptoms or signs |
The 264 ng/dL figure comes from a study that harmonized testosterone measurements from four large US and European cohorts. In healthy, non-obese men aged 19 to 39, it put the 2.5th, 5th and 50th percentiles at 264, 303 and 531 ng/dL. So a young man at 320 ng/dL is technically “normal” but sits near the bottom of the range for healthy men his age. Our guide to average testosterone levels by age shows how the numbers shift over a lifetime.
Hone says its physicians look at the whole picture rather than one number: symptoms, lifestyle, history and the full hormone panel. That is the right approach, and it cuts both ways. A low-normal result with symptoms is worth investigating, but guidelines do not recommend TRT for men whose levels are normal, and fatigue or low libido have many causes besides testosterone.
How the Hone At-Home Testosterone Test Works
Every Hone patient starts with an at-home blood test before the consultation. When we tested, it was a finger-prick blood spot kit: you prick a fingertip, drip blood onto a collection card, let it dry and mail it back.
Collect the sample early in the morning after an overnight fast. Testosterone is usually highest in the morning and eating can lower it for a few hours, so this gives the most reliable reading. Hone asks you to mail the sample back the same day.
Our kit measured nine markers. Here is what each one tells you:
| Marker | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Total testosterone | All testosterone in the blood, bound and unbound. The main number used to diagnose low T. |
| Free testosterone | The small unbound fraction that is available to tissues. See our guide to the free testosterone range. |
| Percent free testosterone | Free testosterone as a share of total testosterone. |
| Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) | The protein that binds testosterone tightly. High SHBG can mean low free testosterone even when total testosterone looks normal. |
| Estradiol | The main estrogen in men, made from testosterone. Important to monitor once on TRT. |
| Luteinizing hormone (LH) | The pituitary signal that tells the testes to make testosterone. Helps tell a testicular cause from a pituitary cause. |
| Albumin | A protein that binds testosterone loosely. Used to calculate free and bioavailable testosterone. |
| ALT and AST | Liver enzymes, as a general liver health check. |
A home finger-prick test is a convenient first look, not a diagnosis. Guidelines call for two separate early-morning tests before diagnosing low testosterone, so a good clinic confirms a low result, and checks markers such as hematocrit, before starting TRT.
Hone Health Treatments
When we tested in 2021, Hone offered:
- Testosterone replacement as intramuscular injections, topical cream or sublingual troches
- Clomiphene (Clomid), which can raise the body’s own testosterone production
- Anastrozole, an aromatase inhibitor that lowers estradiol
- Its own supplement line, for men who want to support natural testosterone production without medication
None of these is a casual purchase. Testosterone is a controlled substance, and TRT suppresses sperm production, which matters if you want children. Clomiphene and anastrozole are approved for use in women, so their use in men is off-label. Testosterone creams and troches are usually made by compounding pharmacies, and compounded medicines are not FDA-approved products. Our overview of the pros and cons of TRT covers the trade-offs in more detail.
Hone’s list of treatments has changed since we tested it, so check the current menu and which options are available in your state.
What Does Hone Cost?
When we tested in mid-2021, the at-home test cost $45 to start, with no commitment. That price is several years old, and Hone’s prices and plans have changed since. We could not confirm current figures for this update, so we don’t quote them here.
Before you sign up, check each part of the cost:
| Cost item | What to check |
|---|---|
| At-home test kit | The price, which markers it covers and whether it is credited toward treatment |
| Membership or consultation fees | Monthly or yearly cost, what it includes and how to cancel |
| Medication | Whether it is included or billed separately, and the price of each form (injection, cream, troche) |
| Follow-up labs | How often you are retested once on treatment and whether those tests cost extra |
| Insurance, HSA and FSA | Whether insurance is accepted and whether you can pay with HSA or FSA funds |
The Hone Community
When we tested, Hone members also had access to an online community board where patients swapped experiences, with topics such as Blood Sampling 101, Injection Tips & Tricks and Transformation. Peer advice is useful for practical questions, but dose and medication changes belong with your prescriber.
Hone vs Other At-Home Testosterone Tests
Many at-home testosterone kits measure only total or free testosterone. That tells you whether your level is low, but not why. Hone’s panel added SHBG, estradiol, LH, albumin and liver enzymes, which is closer to the workup a prescriber needs before discussing treatment.
When we compared options in 2021, the broader male hormone panels from other home-test brands cost more than Hone’s test, and the ones we looked at left out LH and liver markers. Panels and prices change, so compare the marker list and what happens after the results, not just the price.
| Feature | Hone (our 2021 test) | Typical testosterone-only home kit |
|---|---|---|
| Markers | Nine, including total and free T, SHBG, estradiol and LH | One or two |
| Physician review | Video consultation of about 30 minutes | Varies, often results only |
| Treatment | Prescriptions available if warranted | Usually none |
Our Experience With Hone (2021)
I tested Hone myself in mid-2021, when I was 29. I had dealt with testosterone issues for about eight years, with one earlier result as low as 330 ng/dL. I was muscular and not depressed, but I was getting tired as early as 2 p.m. most afternoons.
In some states you can’t get a lab test without a prescription, so a mail-in kit with no commitment was appealing. Here is how it went.
Ordering the Test
Ordering took a few minutes: personal details and a short health questionnaire.
Receiving the Kit
The kit arrived three days later (the photo shows the older packaging). It came with everything needed: lancets, alcohol pads, the collection card and a biohazard bag for the return.
Taking the Test
Following the instructions took about 15 minutes. I took the test in the morning soon after waking, after about 12 hours without food.
You prick a fingertip with the lancet, let the blood pool and drop onto the card, and squeeze the finger gently if it slows down. My card asked for about four drops; most people need three to six. The card then dries for about an hour.
Shipping It Back
I put the kit in the mailbox as soon as I was done. Returning the sample the same day you collect it helps keep the result accurate.
Hone Health Test Results
Results arrived within five days of mailing the kit, with a reference range for each of the nine markers listed above. That was more detail than any other home testosterone test we had tried.
My total testosterone came back at about 350 ng/dL. That is inside most labs’ reference range, but in the lower part of it for healthy men in their 20s and 30s, where the harmonized median is 531 ng/dL. A doctor who only checks the reference range might call it normal. For a 29-year-old with symptoms, it was worth a closer look.
The First Consultation
After the results, I had a video consultation with Dr. Steven Campbell, one of Hone’s physicians. We spoke for close to 30 minutes about my results, symptoms and next steps.
He took the low-normal result seriously instead of dismissing it, and he was also careful: at 29, TRT is a last option, not a first step. He also raised other conditions, such as thyroid function, that could affect the results.
What I liked is that Hone can do both. It can start with lifestyle changes and supplements, and prescribe and deliver TRT later if it is needed. That saves the cost and time of separate in-person visits and follow-ups.
The Plan After the First Consultation
Because my levels were low-normal, we agreed to try raising them naturally first. This is what I took in 2021, with notes on the evidence. It is not a recommendation for you:
- Beef thyroid (a glandular supplement made from bovine thyroid): I added this because of a family history of thyroid problems. Thyroid hormone does affect SHBG and testosterone, but test your thyroid first: glandular products like desiccated thyroid can contain active thyroid hormone in unpredictable amounts.
- Magnesium, 500 mg before bed: low magnesium is linked with lower testosterone, and supplementing seems to help mainly when intake is low. Note that 500 mg is above the 350 mg/day upper limit for supplemental magnesium, and too much can upset the stomach.
- Vitamin D in the morning: deficiency is common, and low vitamin D is associated with lower testosterone. Supplementing appears to matter mostly if you are deficient.
- Zinc, 50 mg daily: zinc deficiency lowers testosterone, but 50 mg is above the 40 mg/day upper limit for adults, and long-term high doses can cause copper deficiency.
- Boron, 3 mg daily: the evidence for testosterone comes from small, short studies.
- Omega-3 fish oil (EPA and DHA): mainly for general health; a direct effect on testosterone is not well established.
He also recommended:
- A thyroid test to rule out hypothyroidism
- His book, Optimized Under 35. It is a good primer on hormones and lifestyle, though it was less useful to me because I was already eating well and lifting heavy.
The Second Consultation
Six weeks later I booked a follow-up with Dr. Campbell. The afternoon fatigue, the reason I had tested in the first place, was gone. We also worked out that stomach pain and some other side effects I had been having came from the form of magnesium I was taking, so I switched to magnesium threonate. If magnesium upsets your stomach, the form matters; see our comparison of magnesium bisglycinate and glycinate.
We didn’t publish a follow-up blood test, so this is a symptom report, not proof that the supplements raised my testosterone. Other changes, such as fixing the magnesium problem, could explain part of the improvement.
Pros and Cons of Hone Health
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| At-home test, no lab visit needed | A finger-prick result should be confirmed before diagnosis or treatment |
| Broad panel in our test: total and free T, SHBG, estradiol, LH and liver markers | Our price is from 2021; current costs need checking |
| Unhurried video consultation with a physician | Treatments and availability vary by state |
| Lifestyle-first approach for borderline results, with TRT available if needed | Some supplement doses we were given were above recommended upper limits |
| Medication delivered to your door | No in-person physical exam |
Alternatives to Hone
Hone isn’t the only online option. Clinics differ in whether they use home kits or local lab draws, what they test before prescribing, what the price includes and which states they cover. Our guide to the best online TRT clinics compares the main providers, and our Yes Clinic review covers a clinic that offers TRT, weight loss and sexual wellness care online.
Pros
- LegitScript-certified telehealth provider that uses licensed U.S. pharmacies.
- Licensed providers review every intake, and TRT plans include quarterly bloodwork.
- Direct-pay pricing with the consultation and shipping included and no membership fees.
- Fully remote, with no clinic visits and treatments shipped to your door.
Cons
- Serves U.S. patients only.
- Some treatments are compounded and have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety or effectiveness.
Is Hone Health Worth It?
In our 2021 test, yes, for men who want an affordable first look at their hormones and a doctor who will actually talk through the results. The panel was broader than most home testosterone kits, the turnaround was fast, and the consultation was thorough.
There are two caveats. Our experience and price are from 2021, so check current costs, plans and availability in your state. And a home test is a starting point: make sure a low reading is confirmed with proper morning blood tests before you start TRT, which is usually a long-term commitment.
References
- Antonio, L., Wu, F. C., O’Neill, T. W., Pye, S. R., Ahern, T. B., Laurent, M. R., … & European Male Ageing Study Study Group. (2016). Low free testosterone is associated with hypogonadal signs and symptoms in men with normal total testosterone. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 101(7), 2647-2657.
- Bhasin, S., Brito, J. P., Cunningham, G. R., et al. (2018). Testosterone therapy in men with hypogonadism: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 103(5), 1715-1744.
- Darbandi, M., Darbandi, S., Agarwal, A., Sengupta, P., Durairajanayagam, D., Henkel, R., & Sadeghi, M. R. (2018). Reactive oxygen species and male reproductive hormones. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 16(1), 1-14. https://rbej.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12958-018-0406-2
- Mulhall, J. P., Trost, L. W., Brannigan, R. E., et al. (2018). Evaluation and management of testosterone deficiency: AUA guideline. The Journal of Urology, 200(2), 423-432.
- Rivas, A. M., Mulkey, Z., Lado-Abeal, J., & Yarbrough, S. (2014). Diagnosing and managing low serum testosterone. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, 27(4), 321-324. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4255853/
- Shoskes, J. J., Wilson, M. K., & Spinner, M. L. (2016). Pharmacology of testosterone replacement therapy preparations. Translational Andrology and Urology, 5(6), 834. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28078214/
- Travison, T. G., Araujo, A. B., O’Donnell, A. B., Kupelian, V., & McKinlay, J. B. (2007). A population-level decline in serum testosterone levels in American men. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 92(1), 196-202. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17062768/
- Travison, T. G., Vesper, H. W., Orwoll, E., et al. (2017). Harmonized reference ranges for circulating testosterone levels in men of four cohort studies in the United States and Europe. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 102(4), 1161-1173.
- Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health. Magnesium and Zinc: Fact Sheets for Health Professionals.
The Bottom Line
In our 2021 test, Hone Health made home hormone testing simple and paired it with a thorough physician consultation, but check today’s prices and confirm any low result before starting TRT.
- Our 2021 kit measured nine markers, including total and free testosterone, SHBG, estradiol and LH, and the results came back within five days of mailing it.
- The physician took a borderline result seriously and started with lifestyle changes and supplements rather than TRT, which suits younger men with low-normal levels.
- Prices, plans, treatments and state availability have changed since 2021, so compare current costs and what is included, and confirm any low result before starting TRT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer
Please read carefully
The information on this site is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any supplement or medication, or making changes to your health, fitness, or nutrition routine.
Not medical advice
Content here is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Consult your doctor
Talk to your doctor before starting any supplement or new routine.
Use at your own risk
We are not responsible for adverse effects from acting on this.
Do your research
Make informed decisions about your own health.
No guarantees
Individual results vary. No claims about outcomes.
Important — Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or your local emergency number right away.
