Surges is 100% independent, but some links may earn us an affiliate commission. Learn more.
Whether you're a seasoned writer or a beginner, these AI writing courses can help you enhance your content writing skills and create content that engages and informs your audience.
Surges is 100% independent, but some links may earn us an affiliate commission. Learn more.
I spent a year drowning in health data. Up until recently, I’ve been using Function Health, a testing service that provided more than one hundred biomarkers.
The numbers were comprehensive, genuinely impressive. I learned a tremendous amount about my body. My awareness increased dramatically.
But over time, I realized I needed something different. Function Health excels at diagnostic depth, but I wanted continuous optimization with ongoing support. That’s what ultimately led me to Outlive Biology.
Here, I provide a complete account of my experiences with Function Health. You’ll find a record of what impressed me, what didn’t work out quite the way I hoped, and why I ultimately made the switch. If you’re considering Function Health, this review will help you understand both its strengths and its limitations.
3.8/5.0
Pros: Comprehensive 100+ biomarker testing, clear clinician notes, user-friendly dashboard, transparent base pricing, excellent for disease screening and early detection
Cons: No wearable integration, no ongoing coaching, no prescription access, no supplement delivery, expensive add-ons, limited support between testing cycles
Function Health delivers on its promise of comprehensive lab testing. The depth of biomarker coverage is genuinely impressive and caught several issues I wouldn’t have known about otherwise.
For diagnostic screening and early detection, it’s an excellent platform.
That said, I ultimately switched to Outlive Biology, which combines lab testing with wearable integration, monthly coaching, custom supplement packs, and prescription access when needed.
Medical-grade information with ongoing support that helps you actually act on your data continuously.
I signed up on a Tuesday afternoon and was, within 24 hours, greeted with an onboarding email that detailed the steps. The process required me to:
I chose to have my labs drawn at a Quest Diagnostics location near my office. The platform’s scheduling interface showed available time slots for the next week.
Quest has over 2,000 locations nationwide, so finding a convenient option was straightforward.
The initial blood draw took about fifteen minutes. The phlebotomist was professional and efficient.
Because I ordered some add-on tests for more comprehensive insights, I needed to return within ten days for a second draw to complete the full panel.
Function Health’s timeline was efficient:
Day 1: Scheduled and completed first blood draw at Quest Diagnostics
Day 8: Completed second blood draw for add-on panels
Day 15: Lab results posted to the dashboard with color coding (green for optimal, yellow for borderline, red for concerning)
Day 16: Received comprehensive clinician notes explaining each biomarker.
Day 17: Personalized action plan became available with dietary, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations
The dashboard populated with extensive information. I could see all 100+ biomarkers organized by category: heart health, thyroid function, liver health, kidney health, hormones, metabolism, nutrients, inflammation, autoimmunity, and more.
Each biomarker included:
The Function Health dashboard is genuinely well-designed. Everything is clear, organized, and educational.
I could click on any biomarker to learn more about what it measures and why it matters for my health.
The clinician notes were thorough. My assigned physician reviewed my complete panel and wrote detailed explanations for every concerning result.
They pointed out connections I wouldn’t have noticed on my own. My elevated LDL particle count correlated with my family history of heart disease.
My vitamin D deficiency likely contributed to my afternoon fatigue and immune challenges.
The action plan broke down recommendations by category:
This was far more comprehensive than anything I’d received from a traditional doctor’s visit.
Function Health offers far more comprehensive testing than traditional annual physicals, which typically cover only 20-30 basic markers.
The lab testing component involves extensive bloodwork covering 100+ biomarkers. This is done exclusively at Quest Diagnostics locations (2,000+ nationwide).
The panel is exceptionally comprehensive, covering hormone levels: testosterone, estradiol, DHEA-S, cortisol, and complete thyroid function including antibodies.
You’ll receive a detailed snapshot of your metabolic markers including fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin, and advanced lipid particles.
The lipid profile goes beyond the basics: HDL, LDL, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein(a).
Inflammatory markers include high-sensitivity CRP, homocysteine, and various autoimmune indicators.
The testing covers:
Throughout the process, you’ll receive clinician notes explaining each biomarker result. Function Health’s team of physicians reviews your labs and provides written explanations of what your numbers mean.
They also generate a personalized action plan with dietary recommendations, supplement suggestions, and lifestyle modifications.
This is genuinely helpful and far exceeds what you’d get from a typical doctor’s visit. The notes are clear, educational, and practical.
Function Health costs $499 per year for the base membership. This includes two rounds of comprehensive lab testing (100+ biomarkers initially, 60+ biomarkers at 6 months) and clinician review with personalized action plans.
Add-ons are available for deeper testing:
The base price is transparent and clearly stated upfront.
The depth of testing caught several issues that would have been completely missed by standard care.
My lipoprotein(a) was elevated—a genetic cardiovascular risk factor that standard lipid panels don’t measure.
My homocysteine levels suggested I needed more methylated B vitamins. My advanced thyroid panel showed subclinical issues that basic TSH testing would have missed entirely.
For pure diagnostic depth, Function Health is genuinely impressive.
The clinician review was excellent. My assigned physician wrote detailed explanations for each concerning biomarker.
The notes explained not just what was out of range, but why it mattered, what symptoms it might cause, and what I could do about it.
This level of explanation far exceeds what most doctors provide during a typical 15-minute appointment.
I learned more about my cardiovascular health, hormonal balance, and metabolic function from these notes than I had in years of traditional care.
The platform itself is beautifully designed. Everything is intuitive, well-organized, and easy to navigate. I could filter results by category, track trends over time, and quickly find the information I needed.
The visual design makes complex medical data accessible. Color coding provides instant clarity about what needs attention. Explanations are written in plain language without excessive medical jargon.
Using Quest Diagnostics as the lab partner was a major convenience factor. With 2,000+ locations nationwide, I could find a draw site within 10 minutes of my office. The scheduling was straightforward. Results were processed quickly and professionally.
The medical-grade lab testing provides confidence that the results are accurate and reliable. These aren’t questionable at-home tests with finger pricks—they’re the same quality labs your doctor would order.
The base membership cost is clearly stated: $499/year for two rounds of comprehensive testing with clinician review and action plans. While add-ons can increase the price, the foundation price is upfront and predictable.
Compared to trying to order these same tests individually through traditional healthcare, Function Health provides substantial value.
Getting 100+ labs through conventional channels could easily cost $5,000-15,000 without insurance coverage.
Function Health caught health issues early that could have become serious problems if left unaddressed.
My borderline autoimmune markers, elevated cardiovascular risk factors, and hormonal imbalances were all identified years before they would have shown up as diagnosed conditions.
For people with family histories of specific diseases or those focused on longevity and prevention, this early warning system is genuinely valuable.
The comprehensive testing can identify subtle imbalances long before they manifest as clinical disease.
Function Health gave me 100+ biomarkers with detailed explanations and a comprehensive action plan. The challenge? I received a 40+ item to-do list with no ongoing support to help me implement any of it.
Which recommendations should I prioritize first? How do I know if the changes I’m making are actually working before my next test in 6 months? What do I do when I hit roadblocks or when behavioral changes aren’t enough?
Function Health provides information, but limited continuous guidance. You get your report, your action plan, and then you’re largely on your own until your next test.
Function Health gives you two snapshots per year from blood work. But what happens in between those tests?
If your sleep quality tanks for three weeks, Function Health won’t know. If your stress levels spike chronically, there’s no monitoring to catch it. If your glucose starts creeping up from dietary changes, you won’t find out until your next lab draw 6 months later.
The platform doesn’t integrate with Oura Ring, Whoop, Garmin, Fitbit, or Apple Watch. You can’t track sleep quality, heart rate variability, resting heart rate, activity levels, or recovery metrics. There’s no smart scale integration for daily weight trends. No blood pressure monitoring syncing automatically.
The base $499/year membership covers comprehensive testing. But the moment you want deeper insights, costs escalate.
Multi-cancer detection testing, full-body MRI ($499), advanced autoimmune panels ($200-400), Lyme testing ($200+), environmental toxins, and heavy metals all come with additional fees.
My first year with Function Health cost over $1,100 once I added the tests I actually wanted for thorough health screening.
Function Health told me I needed vitamin D, magnesium, omega-3, methylated B-complex, and zinc based on my deficiencies. Great information. But then I had to research brands, figure out doses, order everything separately, remember to take them at the right times, and track whether they’re working.
The mental load was significant. I frequently forgot doses or doubled up accidentally. My supplement cabinet became chaotic.
Around month three, my testosterone had dropped despite improving my sleep, nutrition, and exercise. My Function Health clinician notes explained this was concerning and suggested behavioral interventions. I implemented everything recommended.
Function Health could tell me something was wrong. But they couldn’t prescribe testosterone replacement therapy. I had to find a separate doctor, explain everything from scratch, and navigate their process separately.
The same issue came up with sleep problems. Function Health identified the issue and suggested behavioral changes. When those weren’t enough, I needed to find another provider for prescription sleep support.
Function Health operates on 6-month cycles. You get tested, receive results, implement recommendations, then wait 6 months to see if anything worked.
If your protocol isn’t working, you won’t find out until the next test. There’s no ongoing coaching to adjust your approach in real time or help you troubleshoot when things aren’t improving as expected.
Understanding the landscape of health optimization platforms helped me make the decision to switch to Outlive Biology.
| Feature | Function Health | Outlive Biology | InsideTracker | Superpower | Concierge Medicine |
| Annual Cost | $499 | $499-749 | $149-1,781 | $199 | $5,000-15,000 |
| Biomarkers Tested | 100+ | Focused panel | 26-48 | 100+ | Varies |
| Wearable Integration | Limited | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Human Coaching | ✗ No | ✓ Monthly | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ Unlimited |
| Custom Supplements | ✗ No | ✓ Included | ✗ No | ✗ No | Varies |
| Prescription Access | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Continuous Monitoring | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | Varies |
Outlive Biology costs $499-749/year and includes wearable integration, monthly coaching, custom supplement packs, and prescription access.
Testing panel is more focused (fewer biomarkers than Function) but integrated with continuous wearable data and professional support. Better for ongoing optimization; Function better for comprehensive one-time screening.
Focuses on athletic performance with 26-48 biomarkers and lifestyle recommendations. No prescription access or medical interventions.
Better for athletes; Function better for comprehensive health screening; Outlive better for those needing medical support and continuous monitoring.
Superpower offers 100+ biomarker tests for just $16/month ($199/year), making it the most affordable comprehensive testing option.
Like Function Health, they partner with Quest Diagnostics and provide AI-driven insights.
Both Superpower and Function lack actionable ongoing support. There’s no wearable data integration, no custom supplement packs, no prescription access, and no ongoing human coaching.
You get extensive data and explanations, but implementation is entirely on you.
Costs $5,000-15,000/year with unlimited physician access. Better personalized attention but often lacks continuous wearable monitoring and Medicine 3.0 focus.
Gold standard if affordable; Outlive provides similar benefits at one-tenth the cost; Function provides comprehensive testing without the ongoing relationship.
Function Health works best for:
Function Health is not ideal for:
Function Health excels at what it’s designed to do: comprehensive diagnostic testing with expert interpretation. For early detection and disease screening, it’s an excellent platform.
But as I used the service, I realized I needed more than diagnostic information. I needed continuous optimization with ongoing support. I went with Outlive Biology for its more comprehensive support.
After six months with Outlive Biology, my sleep quality increased 23%, fasting glucose dropped 11 points, and energy levels stayed consistent. The integration makes the difference. My coach adjusts protocols in real time based on continuous data.
Is Function Health worth $499/year? For comprehensive diagnostic testing and early disease detection, yes. The biomarker coverage is genuinely impressive and the clinician notes are excellent.
But if you want continuous optimization with professional support, wearable integration, prescription access, and custom supplement delivery, Outlive Biology is the clear choice.
Function Health tells you what’s happening. Outlive Biology continuously helps you optimize it.
Ready to optimize your health with integrated data and expert coaching?
Join 370 subscribers. The hottest marketing software + exclusive deals in your inbox monthly.
© 2025 Surges. All Rights Reserved
Made with ❤ by Like No Other
