This in-depth review covers everything you need to know about on-demand lab testing membership from Function Health. From test accuracy to pricing, pros and cons, and how it compares to traditional healthcare, find out if it’s worth the investment for your health journey.
Author’s Note: Because Function Health is so new to the scene, I’m doing this review differently than usual and take you on my testing journey with Function Health in “real time” so we don’t have to wait! I’m updating this post as I go, complete with which tests I chose, my results, and what I learned along the way. Also, this is not a paid review and all opinions are my own.
If you are frustrated with traditional healthcare and the amount of hoops you have to jump through to – hopefully – get the testing needed to uncover what’s really happening within your body, Function Health is for you. Gone are the days of listing endless symptoms to your doctor to hopefully get the testing you need, giving you comprehensive, in-depth testing for $499 (vs. an estimated $15,000).
Co-founded by Dr. Mark Hyman, Function Health aims to help users reach “100 healthy years” and put health and wellness back into their own hands. They believe that every individual should have a whole-person, holistic overview of what’s happening within their bodies, and, for me as a Certified Holistic Health Coach, I couldn’t agree more.
Function Health offers 5x more bloodwork than traditional doctor’s visits, giving you a glimpse into your biomarkers at every checkpoint within your body. These detailed results can help you assess your current health and wellness and make empowered decisions for your future.
For me? The in-depth testing piqued my interest because postpartum bloodwork is often unobtainable as a new mom via traditional routes, and postnatal depletion can linger up to ten years after giving birth. I’ve been struggling with never-ending fatigue and brain fog no matter how much rest I get or matcha I consume.
I’m hoping Function Health can give me the insight I need to move forward in a way that supports my changing body, especially as I move closer to perimenopause in the next few years.
Let’s review! Based on a membership model (plus optional add-ons), for $499/year, Function Health grants you access to the following:
*Indicates testing included in your annual membership fee.
Once you go through the Function Health questionnaire, you can schedule your annual testing (a series of two draws) at a local testing center near you. For me, all the available labs were Quest Diagnostics.
I’m starting with the annual testing and aiming to test on day 2, 3, or 4 of my period to get a better sense of my current hormone status. For the last six months or so, my cycles have shortened to about 22-24 days from the typical 27-29 days, so I’m curious to see what might be causing this shift.
My naturopathic doctor tells me that it’s likely stress (hello, two small children and a startup) causing this shift, but I want to rule out anything else.
Also, I was diagnosed with POTS and chronic low blood pressure last year, so I want to ensure my electrolyte and other mineral levels are well-balanced and where they should be.
Additionally, hereditary high cholesterol runs in my family and it’s something I like to keep an eye on from time to time. It’s been a few years since I’ve had it tested, and it’s nice to know the annual test from Function Health includes comprehensive cholesterol testing. Full testing details and what’s included can be found here.
Lastly, I have 25% Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, and this heritage is typically at a higher risk of BRCA 1/BRCA 2 mutations, so I’m considering adding on the Multi-Cancer Detection ($899) to get a better understanding of my current status. TBD on what I decide though, I might talk to my doctor about it first.
Keep in mind that the annual and mid-year testing is all completed at a blood draw lab, while some of the add-on testing happens at-home via a separate mailing kit.
• Comprehensive Testing: Function Health offers 100+ biomarkers, covering everything from metabolic health to hormones, inflammation, and nutrient levels.
• Early Detection & Prevention: Helps users catch potential health issues before they become serious, which traditional healthcare often overlooks.
• Affordable Compared to Traditional Labs: A one-time $499 fee covers a full panel of tests, which would typically cost over $15,000+ if ordered through a doctor (and approved by insurance in the first place).
• No Doctor’s Referral Needed: Bypasses the hassle of getting a doctor to approve lab tests, which can be difficult if you’re not already sick.
• Convenience & Accessibility: No need for multiple doctor visits; just book a blood draw at a nearby lab or opt for an at-home visit.
• Personalized Health Insights: Test results come with explanations and actionable recommendations, making it easier to understand your data.
• Privacy & Control Over Your Health Data: Unlike traditional healthcare, you own and control your lab results without them being automatically shared with insurance companies.
• Membership Model (No Recurring Monthly Fees): Unlike other at-home testing services, Function Health doesn’t require a monthly subscription—just a one-time payment per year for access to retesting.
• Great for Biohackers & Preventative Health Seekers: Ideal for those who want to optimize their health rather than wait for issues to arise.
• Supports Longevity & Performance Optimization: Many Function Health users are into longevity science and performance tracking, making this a good fit for proactive health management.
• Not Covered by Insurance: The $499 fee is out-of-pocket, which may be a dealbreaker for some.
• Limited to Certain States: Not available in NY, NJ, RI due to lab restrictions.
• Requires a Blood Draw: Unlike simple finger-prick tests from Everlywell, Function Health requires a full blood draw (about 10-12 vials for each of the annual visits), which some people may find uncomfortable.
• No One-on-One Doctor Consultation: While results include explanations, you don’t get direct access to a doctor for in-depth discussions unless you bring the results to your own physician.
• Results Interpretation Can Be Overwhelming: With 100+ biomarkers, some users may find it hard to know what to focus on without medical guidance.
• Not Ideal for Those Needing Immediate Medical Attention: Function Health is designed for preventative health, not for diagnosing acute illnesses or urgent medical conditions.
• Lab Scheduling May Be Inconvenient: While there are plenty of lab locations, scheduling a blood draw may not be as instant as using a finger-prick test at home.
• Focuses on Data, Not Treatment: Function Health provides insights, but it doesn’t prescribe medications or treatments, meaning you’ll still need a healthcare provider to act on certain findings.
• Still Relatively New: As a newer company, Function Health doesn’t have the same long-term track record as traditional lab providers.
• One-Time Testing May Not Be Enough: Health markers fluctuate over time, so users may need regular retesting (though Function Health does allow for additional tests with their Mid-Year testing which is included in your membership).
I’ve gone ahead and tentatively scheduled my first Annual Test for March 19th, 2025, but I will have to adjust the date depending on when my period shows up (ideally this test happens on day 2, 3, or 4 of my menstrual cycle). Remember, the annual test is a two-part series, so I must return for a second draw within ten days of the initial testing.
Overall, the testing scheduling was quick, easy, and took about a dozen clicks or less. Looking at the add-on testing options took the longest, as there are some really interesting ones that I’d love to do. If you’re curious, price-wise, the add-on tests range from about $3 (Pregnancy Testing) to $899 (Multi-Cancer Detection).
Is Function Health worth it? TBD, but I can confidently say a handful of my health concerns will be addressed with this in-depth testing and to me, that peace of mind is invaluable. Plus, I love that I can continually access testing depending on what I need, especially if we decide to have a third kid down the road.
I’ll make sure to update this post as my test results come in and share more about the actual testing process, so make sure to check back regularly. In the meantime, do you have any questions about joining Function Health that I can help answer? The dashboard I unlocked access to as a member is super helpful and I’m happy to share any insight.
I hope you found this Function Health Review helpful (remember, there’s more to come!). And don’t forget that Function Health currently has a waitlist to join but my access code CSCHWEET10 allows you to skip the line and get started on your testing journey immediately. Skip the line and join now.
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