Skip to content

Function Health Review: My Honest Results After 4 Rounds of Testing

Updated March 2026

I have now completed four rounds of Function Health testing since August 2024, and this service has become one of the most valuable tools in my health optimization routine. This updated Function Health review shares my real results, what the clinician notes actually look like, how the platform has evolved, and whether the $365 annual membership is worth it in 2026. If you want to cut to the chase, use this link to skip the waitlist and join Function Health.

Function Health was co-founded by Dr. Mark Hyman, a 15-time New York Times bestselling author, physician, and one of the most recognized voices in functional medicine. His philosophy centers on identifying root causes rather than treating symptoms, and that approach runs through every aspect of the Function Health platform. The service gives you access to over 100 lab tests twice a year through Quest Diagnostics, along with clinician-reviewed notes, a personalized action plan, and now an AI health coach that provides dietary and supplement recommendations based on your individual results.

Disclaimer: Links may contain affiliate links, which means we may get paid a commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase through this page. Read our full disclosure here.

Table of Contents-Click to Expand

How Function Health Works

Once you enroll in Function Health (this link allows you to skip the waiting line), you schedule lab appointments at a local Quest Diagnostics location. The blood tests require two fasting lab visits. On my first visit they drew approximately 12 vials of blood and sent me home with a container to bring a urine sample back for my second visit. They drew about the same amount of blood at my second visit a couple of days later.

You need to complete both visits within 10 days, so plan accordingly. I have never had trouble getting early morning appointments about a week out at my Quest location in the Cincinnati area, but availability may vary depending on where you live. For the record, there is no additional Quest draw fee in Ohio. The lab costs are included in the membership price.

Preparation is straightforward: stop supplements 72 hours before, avoid seafood 48 hours before (you will be tested for mercury), fast for 8 hours, and drink plenty of water the morning of your appointment. Continue any prescription medications as prescribed by your doctor.

What Biomarkers Are Tested

Rather than list the over 100 biomarkers that are tested in the Function Health panel, I will link to the included test list here, but use this link to skip the wait. These are the tests their medical team has deemed relevant for most people. Markers span major function areas including heart, liver, blood, metabolic, hormones, nutrients, thyroid, autoimmunity, and more.

As of my most recent testing, my dashboard showed 130 total biomarkers, which includes the base panel plus the add-ons I selected. Speaking of add-ons, Function Health offers several at an additional cost. Here is what I have added over my four rounds of testing:

The Alzheimer's risk test gives you your ApoE status. As someone who carries the ApoE 3/4 variant (which I have discussed in my deep sleep article), this was a test I wanted immediately. The Celiac panel tests for both celiac disease and gluten intolerance, but note that you must have been consuming gluten for accurate results. The adiponectin test measures a hormone that regulates body weight and metabolism by controlling insulin response, metabolizing lipids, and combating inflammation. And the Omega test ($49) includes EPA, DPA, DHA, Omega 6 Total, Arachidonic Acid, Omega 3 Total, OmegaCheck, Omega 6/Omega 3 Ratio, and more. This test has a longer processing time, but it provides incredibly valuable data.

One add-on of particular interest is the Galleri® multi-cancer early detection test. This screens for over 50 types of cancer from a single blood draw. I suspect a lot of doctors would be hesitant to order this test, and Function Health provides a no-hassle way to access it. Given the amount of cancer in my family, this is a test I continue to consider seriously.

My Function Health Results: What I Found After 4 Rounds

Here is where this Function Health review gets personal. After four rounds of testing since August 2024, I have accumulated a tremendous amount of data about how my body is functioning. The real value of this service becomes clear over time, as you can track trends and see whether the changes you are making are actually moving the needle.

My most recent dashboard from February 2026 shows 130 biomarkers tested: 89 in range, 19 out of range, and 22 categorized as “other” (meaning they do not have a standard optimal range or require context for interpretation).

Function Health dashboard showing 130 biomarkers tested with 89 in range, 19 out of range, and 22 other from February 2026 testing
My Function Health dashboard from February 2026 showing 130 total biomarkers tested.

Metabolic Markers

My metabolic markers are where I see the most direct payoff from years of following a ketogenic lifestyle. Glucose came back at 86 mg/dL, HbA1c at 5.2%, and insulin at 2.7 uIU/mL. My clinician notes specifically called this out as “outstanding blood sugar balance and very low risk for diabetes.” As someone who has been eating keto since 2017, seeing these numbers validated in data is incredibly motivating.

One marker that flagged below range was Leptin at 2.7 ng/mL. Leptin is a hormone that helps regulate appetite and energy balance. Very low levels can signal to your body that energy stores are depleted, and in my case this likely reflects my low body fat percentage from competitive bodybuilding. Research shows that leptin levels correlate strongly with adipose tissue mass (Considine et al., 1996), so this was not surprising. However, it is exactly the type of nuance that a standard annual physical would never catch.

Liver and Organ Function

My liver panel was mostly clean, with ALT at 18 U/L, Albumin at 4.3 g/dL, and GGT at 11 U/L. One marker that flagged was Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) at 35 U/L, which came in below Function Health's optimal range. Low ALP can sometimes be associated with nutritional deficiencies, particularly zinc or magnesium. My Magnesium was in range at 5.7 mg/dL, so this is something I will continue to monitor over my next round of testing. This is exactly the kind of nuanced finding that makes longitudinal testing so valuable: one reading in isolation might not mean much, but tracking it over four rounds tells a much bigger story.

Nutrients

The nutrient panel is one of the areas I find most valuable, because it shows things most doctors simply do not test for. My Homocysteine came back at 8.1 umol/L (in range), Ferritin at 53 ng/mL, Iron at 81 mcg/dL, and Magnesium at 5.7 mg/dL. These trend lines are what I look forward to most with each new round. You can see in the screenshot how Function Health displays small trend graphs next to each biomarker, letting you visually track whether numbers are moving in the right direction.

My Biological Age Results

This is the result everyone wants to see when they join Function Health, and I am not going to lie, it is pretty thrilling. Based on my February 2026 testing, Function Health calculated my biological age at 37.3, which is 15.5 years younger than my calendar age. The biological age calculation is generated from a combination of your biomarker results and uses an algorithm that compares your data points against population-level health data.

Function Health biological age result showing 37.3 biological age, 15.5 years younger than calendar age, tested February 2026
My biological age came back at 37.3, or 15.5 years younger than my calendar age.

Is this metric perfect? No biological age calculation is, and different testing services use different algorithms. But it serves as a powerful motivational benchmark. Seeing this number reinforces that the lifestyle choices I make every day (keto nutrition since 2017, consistent strength training, prioritized sleep, targeted supplementation) are measurably reflected in my blood work. And tracking it over time with each round of testing shows whether I am maintaining, improving, or slipping.

The Clinician Notes: What the Function Health Doctor Review Looks Like

One of the most common questions I see about Function Health is whether you actually get access to a real doctor or clinician. The answer is yes. After your results are complete, a licensed clinician reviews every biomarker and provides detailed written notes that are organized into a summary with strengths, areas to watch, and specific recommendations.

My February 2026 clinician notes highlighted several strengths including that my red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin, platelets, and all related indices had fully rebounded from prior lows. They noted “strong bone marrow recovery and good oxygen delivery for your active lifestyle.” The notes also confirmed that my glucose, insulin, and HbA1c are “all well-controlled and in the optimal range for longevity, demonstrating outstanding blood sugar balance and very low risk for diabetes.”

Function Health clinician notes from February 2026 showing summary of strengths including blood cell counts, glucose control, and kidney function
The clinician notes are detailed and personalized. This is what sets Function Health apart from ordering labs on your own.

In my earlier rounds of testing, I also received a phone call from a Function Health doctor when a couple of tests returned unexpected values. They were proactive about flagging it and recommending I follow up with my primary care physician. That kind of hands-on response is not something you get with most direct-to-consumer lab services.

The Function AI Health Coach and Food Recommendations

Function Health has added an AI-powered health coach feature that generates personalized food and supplement recommendations based on your biomarker results. It categorizes foods into three groups: foods to enjoy, foods to limit, and foods to avoid. The recommendations are tailored to your specific results. In my case, the AI flagged lipid abnormalities and increased cardiovascular risk, and generated food recommendations centered on lowering LDL cholesterol and supporting healthy triglycerides.

One thing worth noting: the AI recommendations are algorithmic and do not account for the full context of your dietary approach. As someone who has followed a low carb/keto diet since 2017, the AI's suggestion to limit butter, coconut oil, and full-fat cheese conflicts with my eating pattern. My metabolic markers (glucose, insulin, HbA1c) are all excellent, which suggests my overall approach is working well for metabolic health even if some individual lipid markers are elevated. The takeaway is to use these AI recommendations as one data point among many, not as a rigid prescription. Always discuss major dietary changes with your healthcare provider.

How Much Does Function Health Cost in 2026?

Function Health currently costs $365 per year, which works out to about $1 per day. For that price you get two rounds of testing (100+ biomarkers at your initial draw, 60+ at your mid-year follow-up), clinician-reviewed notes for each round, access to the results dashboard with trend tracking, the AI health coach, and the ability to order additional individual tests at reduced member pricing. The membership is HSA and FSA eligible, though it is not covered by insurance.

To put the cost in perspective: if you tried to order all of the tests included in the base Function Health panel individually through a direct-to-consumer lab service, you would easily spend $1,500 or more. Even ordering just an NMR lipoprofile, a comprehensive metabolic panel, a full thyroid panel, and a few inflammatory markers through a service like Ulta Labs would run several hundred dollars. The value proposition is strong, especially once you factor in the clinician review and longitudinal tracking.

Add-on tests do increase the total cost. Here are some current add-on prices to keep in mind: the Omega panel is $49, the Alzheimer's risk test (ApoE) is $49, the Celiac panel is $69, and the Galleri multi-cancer detection test was $899, now down to $749. I chose to add several of these, which brought my first-year total higher, but the base membership alone delivers tremendous value.

Dr. Mark Hyman and the Functional Medicine Approach

Part of what sets Function Health apart from other lab testing services is the philosophy behind it. Dr. Mark Hyman, one of the six co-founders, spent years as the head of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine. His approach has always been about looking at the whole picture rather than treating individual symptoms. He is a 15-time New York Times bestselling author and his books on diet, metabolism, and longevity have shaped how millions of people think about preventive health.

That philosophy shows up in how Function Health defines “optimal” ranges for your biomarkers. Rather than just telling you whether a number falls within the standard laboratory reference range (which is based on the general population, including many unhealthy individuals), Function Health uses tighter optimal ranges based on what research suggests is best for long-term health and longevity. This is why you may see markers flagged as “out of range” on your Function Health dashboard that your regular doctor would consider perfectly normal. It is a more proactive, prevention-focused lens, and it aligns with the functional medicine model.

What Reddit Users Are Saying About Function Health

If you search “Function Health review” on Reddit, you will find an active community on r/Function_Health as well as discussions in subreddits like r/Biohackers and r/HubermanLab. The sentiment is mixed, which I think is actually helpful for anyone doing their research.

One of the most upvoted threads on r/Biohackers (“How do you guys feel about Function Health?”) generated over 160 comments. The common praise points mirror my own experience: the breadth of testing is unmatched at this price point, the dashboard is genuinely easy to use, and the clinician notes add real value beyond raw lab data. Several users specifically called out the ability to track trends over time as the biggest differentiator.

The criticisms are worth acknowledging too. A thread titled “Took the leap. EXTREMELY disappointed” highlights frustrations around the add-on pricing (feeling like the base panel is a starting point that requires expensive upgrades), and some users report that the clinician notes felt generic or were slower to arrive than expected. Others raised concerns about data overload, noting that seeing over 100 biomarkers without a physician to walk you through everything can feel overwhelming rather than empowering.

A frequently discussed thread asks “What is better? Superpower or Function Health” with 28 comments comparing the two platforms head to head. Another common question is whether Function Health provides access to a real doctor, which it does through the clinician review process, and the platform has been beta testing a “Chat with a Doctor” feature that several users are following closely.

My take after four rounds: the criticisms about information overload are valid for people who do not already have some health literacy or a provider to discuss results with. But for anyone who is actively tracking their health and willing to learn, the volume of data is a feature, not a bug.

How Function Health Compares to Other Services

Function Health vs. Superpower

I recently tried Superpower, a competitor to Function Health, and wrote a full separate review of that experience. In brief: Superpower offers a similar direct-to-consumer testing model but with some differences in test selection and user experience. Read my detailed comparison to decide which might be the better fit for your needs.

Function Health vs. Wild Health

I have also used Wild Health in the past (you can get 20% off with my link). Wild Health is more comprehensive in some ways because they include genetic testing on top of bloodwork, plus unlimited access to a health coach and a doctor appointment to review your results. They have recently changed their model to be more of an all inclusive health optimization service. If you want a more hands-on approach with professional guidance at every step, Wild Health may be a better fit. However, the cost is significantly higher. You can hear me discuss my Wild Health experience in this podcast episode.

Function Health vs. Direct-to-Consumer Lab Services

Services like Ulta Labs, Life Extension, and Own Your Labs all let you order individual blood tests without a doctor's order. They all use LabCorp or Quest for the draws, so accuracy is identical. I have used all three and typically just choose whichever has the best price on whatever test I need. Ulta Labs usually has the best sales.

The key difference is that these services provide raw lab results with no interpretation, no clinician notes, no trend tracking, and no biological age calculation. If you only need one or two specific tests, they are a more affordable option. But if you purchased all the tests that Function Health includes from one of these services individually, the cost would be substantially greater than the $365 membership. Function Health also adds the clinician review, the dashboard, and the longitudinal tracking that makes repeated testing so much more meaningful.

Who Should Join Function Health (and Who Should Skip It)

Function Health is a great fit if you: are proactive about your health and want more data than a standard annual physical provides, have a family history of chronic disease and want early detection biomarkers, are already working on your health through nutrition, fitness, or supplementation and want to track whether those changes are reflected in your labs, are comfortable reviewing data and doing your own research (or have a provider you can share results with), or are interested in longevity and biological age tracking.

You may want to skip Function Health if you: tend to experience health anxiety from seeing test results without a doctor to immediately explain them, are looking for a service that provides direct medical treatment or prescriptions (Function Health is a testing platform, not a medical practice), want a provider to walk you through every result in person, or are on a tight budget and would stress about the annual cost rather than benefit from it.

Function Health Pros and Cons

Pros: Over 100 biomarkers tested twice a year for $365 (incredible value compared to ordering individually), clinician-reviewed notes for every testing round, easy-to-use dashboard with trend tracking and biological age, convenient scheduling through Quest Diagnostics locations nationwide, HSA/FSA eligible, add-on options for advanced tests like cancer screening and Alzheimer's risk, the new AI health coach feature adds personalized dietary and supplement guidance, and proactive doctor outreach when results are concerning.

Cons: Add-on tests can get expensive quickly (the Galleri cancer screen alone is $749), the AI food recommendations do not account for specialized diets like keto or carnivore, some clinician notes can feel somewhat generic depending on how many markers need attention, there is no option for an in-depth one-on-one doctor consultation (you will need your own provider for that), and the sheer volume of data can feel overwhelming for people without some baseline health literacy. The Quest Diagnostics lab draw fee varies by state, so your total first-year cost may differ from the $365 membership price depending on where you live.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Function Health worth the money?

After four rounds of testing since August 2024, I believe Function Health is absolutely worth the $365 annual membership for anyone who is serious about proactive health monitoring. The value of testing 100+ biomarkers twice a year with clinician-reviewed notes and longitudinal trend tracking far exceeds what you would pay to order these tests individually. The biological age calculation and AI health coach are additional features that make the membership even more compelling. However, if you only need one or two specific lab tests, a direct-to-consumer service like Ulta Labs may be more cost-effective.

Does insurance cover Function Health?

No, Function Health is not covered by insurance. However, the membership is HSA and FSA eligible. The inability to use insurance is actually central to the value proposition: Function Health negotiates pricing with Quest Diagnostics directly, bypasses the insurance middleman, and gives you access to tests that most insurance plans would not approve without a pre-existing diagnosis. You are specifically instructed not to provide insurance information at your Quest Diagnostics appointment.

How does Function Health compare to getting labs through your doctor?

A typical annual physical includes about 15 to 25 lab markers. Function Health tests for over 100 biomarkers including advanced cardiovascular markers, a full NMR lipoprofile, comprehensive hormone panels, nutrient levels, inflammatory markers, and autoimmune indicators that most primary care physicians would never order during a routine visit. Function Health also provides tighter optimal ranges based on longevity research, while standard lab reference ranges are based on the general population.

Does Function Health have real doctors review your results?

Yes. Licensed clinicians authorize your tests and review every result. You receive detailed clinician notes organized by category with specific observations about your health strengths, areas to watch, and actionable recommendations. In my experience, a Function Health doctor also called me directly when certain results warranted prompt attention. The platform is also beta testing a Chat with a Doctor feature for more direct interaction.

How long does it take to get Function Health results?

Based on my experience across four rounds of testing, basic bloodwork results begin appearing on your dashboard within 24 to 48 hours of your first draw. Most results are available within one week. Specialized tests like the NMR lipoprofile and Omega panel typically take 7 to 10 days. Complete clinician notes are usually available within two to three weeks of your final draw.

Final Thoughts on This Function Health Review

After four rounds of testing over nearly two years, Function Health has become one of the most consistently valuable health tools I use. It sits alongside my wearable devices (Oura Ring 4, Hume Band, Whoop) and my Chilipad Dock Pro as a cornerstone of how I monitor and optimize my health. The wearables give me daily feedback. Function Health gives me the deeper, biomarker-level picture that confirms whether the daily choices are adding up to real, measurable improvements.

If you are someone who values data-driven health decisions and you want more than what a standard annual physical provides, I recommend giving Function Health a try. At $365 per year (about $1 per day), the cost is modest relative to the depth of insight you receive. Use this link to skip the waitlist and get started.

Author

  • Cheryl McColgan

    Cheryl McColgan is the founder of Heal Nourish Grow, a published author, wellness coach, and speaker with a Psychology degree, minor in Addictions Studies, and graduate training in Clinical Psychology. An E-RYT certified yoga instructor with over 25 years of experience in fitness, nutrition, and healthy living, Cheryl brings both academic grounding and deep personal experience to everything she writes. After surviving surgery for suspected cancer at the Mayo Clinic, where 16 tumors were removed from her abdomen, she transformed her own health through evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle change. She now helps others develop the confidence and sustainable habits to create lasting health, sharing practical, science-backed guidance through articles, coaching, and the Heal Nourish Grow podcast.

    Read more about the journey that created Heal Nourish Grow on the "about" page.