The supplement giant is winding down its at-home sleep and gut tests as it shifts toward biomarker-driven insights, signaling a deeper investment in personalized health data in line with industry trends
Supplement giant Thorne is scrapping its at-home test kits, instead looking to invest in biomarker testing, becoming the latest brand to join the lab-testing revolution currently underway.
A spokesperson for Thorne revealed to Athletech News that the company is winding down its at-home testing, which included a Sleep Test and Gut Health Test, as it shifts focus toward building its own approach to biomarker insights, with plans for a limited beta to come later this year.
From that test, Thorne would provide analysis of digestion, inflammation, gut dysbiosis, intestinal permeability and nervous system, with a diversity and immune readiness score and an examination of over 10 potential pathogens. Additionally, the test provided personalized recommendations on diet to improve gut health.
The Stress Test, meanwhile, measured the stress hormone cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) — a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that impacts everything from sex hormones to immune and metabolic function — through salivary collection at four points throughout the day. From that, Thorne told users whether or not their levels and trends were in normal ranges.
Now, Thorne’s website includes text that says, “The future of personal health at Thorne is coming. We’re evolving our personal health testing experience. Stay tuned for the next chapter.”
The Gut Health test kit, which is now unavailable on the Thorne website, involved taking a stool sample through a simple wipe instead of messier collection methods, which would then be stored in a vial filled with a salt solution to be sent off for testing, with results arriving a few weeks later.
Another part of the company’s recent changes is a deepening relationship with AI, through the launch of Taia. The new generative AI-powered wellness advisor trained on more than 40 years of clinical research, practitioner expertise and educational content, with the purpose of translating complex health information into digestible recommendations.
The shift fits within Thorne’s overall push into science-backed personalization under CEO Colin Watts, who previously spoke with ATN about the company’s wellness and supplementation strategy.
Thorne is looking to join the many startups and health tech brands already pushing into biomarker blood testing.
Last November, category leader Function Health raised $298 million in a Series B round that valued the company at $2.5 billion. But clear competition is emerging: telehealth giant Hims & Hers entered the race with its own diagnostic testing program called Labs, offering annual or biannual blood tests that measure key health markers such as heart health, metabolism and hormones, while Superpower raised $30 million last year for its own biomarker-testing platform.
Even Amazon is getting in on the action. Last month, the company launched its own beta feature, Health Insights, developed in partnership with the Tony Robbins co-founded telehealth and longevity company Lifeforce. The service provides analysis of over 50 biomarkers around cardiovascular, metabolic and immune health from lab blood-test results.
