Are Social Media Health Tests Helping or Hurting You?

By Ephraim Agbo

Have you seen those health tests all over social media? Influencers and ads promote things like full-body MRI scans, gut health tests, and hormone level checks, promising to give you a full picture of your health. But are these tests actually useful—or just a waste of money?

A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) looked at nearly 1,000 social media posts about these popular tests. The results were eye-opening:

• 87% of posts only talked about the benefits, while just 15% mentioned any risks.
• Many posts had no scientific proof to support their claims.
• Some influencers promoting these tests were paid by the companies selling them—so they’re not exactly neutral opinions.

The Problem: Overdiagnosis and Unnecessary Worry

Getting tested might sound like a great idea, but not every test is helpful. Some tests find tiny issues that aren’t actually dangerous, but once doctors see them, they feel pressured to do more tests—leading to stress, extra medical bills, and even unnecessary treatments.

For example, full-body MRI scans are advertised as a way to find early cancers, but they often detect small, harmless lumps called incidentalomas. These lumps usually don’t cause any problems, but once they’re found, people may go through more scans, biopsies, or even surgeries they didn’t need.

Other tests, like gut microbiome analysis and hormone level checks, don’t have clear guidelines. That means even if your results seem "off," there’s no real way to know what they mean—or if they even matter.

The Tests That Actually Matter

Some health tests do save lives, but they’re the ones backed by real medical research. These include:
✔ Pap smears for cervical cancer (ages 25-65)
✔ Mammograms for breast cancer (starting at age 40)
✔ Colorectal cancer screenings for adults over 50

Unlike the trendy tests on social media, these have been proven to help people stay healthier and catch serious diseases early.

Think Before You Test

Before spending money on a health test you saw online, ask yourself:

• Is this test recommended by real doctors or health organizations?
• Will it actually change how I take care of my health?
• What will happen if the test finds something abnormal?

If you're not sure, talk to a doctor first. Health trends come and go, but your well-being isn’t something to gamble on.

Subscribe to Ephraim Agbo’s Blog for more insightful health and lifestyle updates!