
We Tried Viome’s Full Body Intelligence Test For Insight Into Our Microbiome
Good Gear editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.
GOOD GEAR RATING — 7/10 STARS
Summary: Frustrated by a lack of answers from traditional doctors, my husband and I turned to the Viome Full Body Intelligence Kit for a deeper look into his ongoing digestive health issues. It offered some insightful results.
PROS
- Viome is user-friendly and comes with an app for quick reference of your results.
- It’s science and doctor-backed. Viome even partners with esteemed institutions like the Mayo Clinic.
- The test’s comprehensive results come with straightforward food, supplement, and vitamin recommendations.
- Viome has responsive customer service. When our kit was seemingly lost in the mail, the team was responsive and quick to remedy the situation.
CONS
- Collection takes a bit of time and can be a challenge if blood makes you queasy!
- The Full Body Intelligence Kit costs $399, and the recommended supplements cost an additional $199 per month. A four-month commitment is required.
I’ll admit I used to be a skeptic when it came to at-home health tests. But then I took the Modern Fertility test, which gave me a wealth of insight into my fertility data and ultimately assisted my doctors in helping with an infertility diagnosis. Since then, I’ve come to see these home tests as a valuable, more accessible alternative to the lab work that my doctor might not typically recommend. While they are generally pricey, they can offer insight and help point doctors in the right direction, especially in a healthcare system that is often rushed, overwhelmed, and reliant on insurance for just about everything.
“I’ve come to see these home tests as a valuable, more accessible alternative to the lab work that my doctor might not typically recommend. “
Fast forward to last year, when my husband started struggling with severe digestive issues that made eating just about anything a gamble. We initially thought it might be a food allergy, but when he went to his doctor, they dismissed his symptoms and ran a standard blood panel that came back “normal.” Frustrated by the lack of answers, we scheduled specialty appointments — only to find ourselves waiting for months to be seen (yes, even in a city as big as Los Angeles). Thus, we decided to take control of the situation and found a few at-home digestive tests and food allergy kits. Enter Viome.
How Viome is revolutionizing health through personalized microbiome science
Viome, in the most simple terms, is an at-home health test. The company was founded in 2016 by Naveen Jain in Bellevue, Washington, to revolutionize health through personalized nutrition and microbiome science. Viome’s technology uses advanced RNA sequencing to analyze your microbiome, providing insights into how your body functions at a molecular level. Their at-home tests and app-based recommendations empower users to take proactive steps toward improved health, bridging the gap between science and self-care. It’s a mindful solution for those seeking to balance their wellness in a way that feels both intuitive and informed.
“Viome’s technology uses advanced RNA sequencing to analyze your microbiome, providing insights into how your body functions at a molecular level.”
What sets Viome apart is its focus on actionable results. Beyond identifying the state of your gut health, Viome offers tailored food recommendations and supplement plans designed to address specific imbalances. It’s a personalized approach that doesn’t just stop at diagnosing but prioritizes long-term, sustainable change.
It’s also backed by an impressive team of medical professionals and researchers, and the company has partnered with esteemed institutions like the Mayo Clinic. Read on for our experience and learn how the test works.
Our experience with the Viome Full Body Intelligence Kit (including sample collection!)
To get to the root cause of my husband’s digestive concerns, we tried the Viome Full Body Intelligence Kit, which analyzes key biomarkers from three types of samples: blood, stool, and saliva. The kit arrived in a sleek black box, which we registered on the website and app. Next up was the sample collection, which was much more involved than I anticipated!
The sample collection has to be done first thing in the morning — even before brushing your teeth. I helped my husband with the saliva and blood samples (he was on his own for the stool). The saliva collection was pretty easy — Viome’s instructions are super clear and straightforward. The blood collection, though, was more involved. After pricking your finger, you have to fill three vials, which took longer than we expected. If you’re not a fan of blood or get lightheaded, this part might be a challenge. Luckily, Viome suggests going to a local lab for help if needed. As for the stool sample, I’ll spare you the details, but my husband said it wasn’t a big deal.


After collecting everything, we packed it in the provided envelopes with prepaid labels. Viome says to mail the samples as soon as possible, but the preservative solutions keep them stable for up to 28 days, which gave us a little wiggle room (helpful since we hit a small shipping snag — more on that later). Once the samples were sent off, we tackled the questionnaire, which took about 30 minutes. Then, all we could do was wait for the results, which promised to arrive in a couple of weeks.
Why we reached out to Viome customer service
Of course, we were both super eager to get the results, hoping to have answers to my husband’s digestive concerns. We kept monitoring the kit’s tracking but didn’t see movement from our post office for a week. This was a concern, considering the samples are only stable for 28 days, so I contacted customer service to ask for their input.
“Customer service was super easy to reach and very helpful.”
Good news: Customer service was super easy to reach and very helpful. They recommended waiting a few more days and then promised to send out another kit if necessary. (Side note: I actually had this same thing happen with my Modern Fertility kit and had to repeat the sample because my original one was lost in transit.)
Thankfully, after 48 more hours, the tracking finally showed the kit was on its way from Los Angeles to the lab in Washington. A few days later, we got the notification that it had arrived safely.
The results
Once Viome received our samples and we completed the questionnaire, we were pleasantly surprised to get our personalized health scores and recommendations in just one week instead of the expected 2–3 weeks. Here’s what we learned:
Most of my husband’s scores were in the “average” range, with his cellular and energy health marked as “good,” but his gum health surprisingly rated as “non-optimal.” This result left us scratching our heads since he has excellent oral hygiene and has never had a cavity. We had more questions about this one. For his digestive health — our main reason for taking the test — everything came back as “normal” or “average,” which, while reassuring, didn’t give us the clear answers we were hoping for.


What stood out were the detailed food recommendations. For example, he should avoid dandelion greens to improve bile acid metabolism but eat blueberries because they likely won’t spike his blood sugar. The test offered over 100 personalized food suggestions, and he’s already started implementing them. Interestingly, avoiding high-FODMAP foods like broccoli was recommended — and sure enough, the next time he ate broccoli, he experienced an upset stomach. While the insights weren’t groundbreaking, they’ve been a helpful guide for fine-tuning his diet.


So, is Viome worth it?
The Viome test provided us with valuable insights into my husband’s health, including clear guidance on which foods to eliminate and add to his diet. It also flagged interesting scores related to his oral health that he plans to discuss with his dentist and suggestions for supplements like Vitamin D. These actionable recommendations felt like a solid starting point for addressing his digestive concerns and overall well-being.
“The Viome test provided us with valuable insights into my husband’s health, including clear guidance on which foods to eliminate and add to his diet.”
That said, the cost is a significant downside. The Full Body Intelligence Kit is $399, and the recommended supplements cost an additional $199 per month, with a required four-month commitment. While you can use HSA/FSA funds to cover these expenses, the pricing is steep and out of reach for many people. Still, at a time when health advice often feels generic and overwhelming, Viome stands out as an innovative, science-backed alternative. It offers personalized insights and a clear path to better health — just be prepared to invest.
Kayti Christian is a Senior Content Strategist at The Good Trade. With an MFA in Nonfiction Creative Writing, her work has appeared in TODAY, Shondaland, and The New York Times. Since 2017, Kayti has been uncovering and reviewing the best sustainable home brands and wellness products. Her personal journey through four years of fertility treatments has inspired her to write extensively about women’s healthcare and reproductive access. Beyond her work at The Good Trade, Kayti is the creator of Feelings Not Aside, a Substack newsletter with 6,000 subscribers, and the cohost of the FriedEggs Podcast, which delves into IVF and infertility.