A company called eli.health have produced a “Hormometer” to be used at home like a diabetes glucose monitor but for hormones.

[arTistapple]

Cortisol is mentioned. Female hormones too. No mention of thyroid but suggests tester will be useful for wider hormones. None wider than hypothyroidism in my book.

[tattybogle]

it;s not (currently) possible to measure fT4 / fT3 levels outside of a lab , the process is far too complex and the amounts are too miniscule. It would be lovely if we could check them at home as easily as diabetics can check blood sugar, but it's not going to happen anytime soon.

[TSH110 in reply to tattybogle]

What a shame

[Hedgeree]

Hi arTistapple,

I had a quick look at their website; it appears to be a home saliva test looking at cortisol and progesterone where you can monitor levels throughout the day and night.

[JumpJiving]

arTistapple Click on Cortisol on their website and the first thing you see is a article about "Adrenal Fatigue". Search a bit more and you find "The Eli website, products, and services are" ... "not for diagnosing, curing, managing, preventing, or treating any disease or condition". Search for any indication of being regulated as a medical device - well, I didn't find anything. Couldn't even find an address for them. Be very cautious!

Unfortunately, as useful as a real-time monitor would be for those of us with diagnosed conditions, IMHO putting a device, regulated or not, in the hands of the wider public is likely to result in far more people buying over-the-counter unregulated adrenal supplements and doing themselves more harm than good. Cortisol levels are not something to mess with.

[arTistapple in reply to JumpJiving]

I agree. Just thought it was interesting. A while ago I helped with some research that looked like it might be heading along that route. Had pretty much the same thoughts as you. However I can see how ‘we’ might be further attracted as our medical helpers just don’t help.

[JumpJiving in reply to arTistapple]

arTistapple There are researchers in Bristol working on devices for those with adrenal insufficiency, so some things are on the horizon

[Hedgeree in reply to JumpJiving]

Hi JumpJiving,

It seems to still be under development? Or so I understand from it's website?

[JumpJiving in reply to Hedgeree]

 Hedgeree Even so, I'd be cautious about it.

The healthy body's cortisol production is irregular, it's not one level through the day, it's not even as simple as high in the morning and then tapering off as the day goes on. It's actually a really spiky graph when you look at the results for a healthy body. Put a saliva-based testing system in the hands of the undiagnosed general public, and the number of people claiming incorrectly to have adrenal issues will rocket. It's hard enough to see an endo now, let alone with healthy people blocking appointments. That the main people involved are in North America, and the first thing they talk about is Adrenal Fatigue, not Adrenal Insufficiency, really does not fill me with confidence. But time will tell...

[Hedgeree in reply to JumpJiving]

Ah right yes I did see the reference to Adrenal Fatigue. Oh well like you say we will find out in time.

[Judithdalston]

sounds too good to be true like the Theranos magic box to test blood for lots of ailments!

[helvella Administrator]

There is some scepticism in the Verge article - and comments.

This stick tests your hormones using your phone and saliva

theverge.com/2025/1/5/24335...

It is apparently registered with the FDA. But that does NOT mean any form of approval.

I'm sure we all want such devices!