After a full year with Function Health, I wanted to sit down and share my experience. The big question on my mind is: will I be renewing my subscription, or is it time to explore other options?
Before we dive in, a little about me. My name is Jake Kaiser, and for the last eight years, I've been meticulously tracking my bloodwork. This isn't just a hobby for me; it's a passion. I've used a ton of different companies and tools in the biohacking, health, and longevity space, so I've got a pretty good handle on what's out there.
What is Function Health?
Function Health entered my radar about two years ago, making a huge splash with its comprehensive blood testing and high-profile partnerships. They offer an annual subscription that includes a deep dive into over 100 biomarkers, with a smaller, follow-up panel at the six-month mark. The promise is a one-stop-shop to track your health over time, complete with clinician notes and recommendations to guide you. Their marketing has been aggressive, and they've quickly become a major player in the health and wellness scene.If you are considering Function for your blood testing needs please consider using my referral link
The Competition
The at-home and direct-to-consumer lab testing space is getting crowded, which is great news for us consumers. Here's a look at a few of the other players I've been watching:
- GoodLabs: I'm a big fan of what GoodLabs is doing. They have a unique model where you can donate blood, help others in need, and get free biomarker testing from your donation. It's a win-win. I also find their prices to be some of the most competitive on the market for individual tests, and I've personally switched to them for my last couple of rounds of testing.
- If considering GoodLabs for testing please consider using my referral link and you will save 20%
- Superhuman: These guys offer a membership that includes a comprehensive annual blood draw covering over 100 biomarkers. For an annual fee, you get the test, a personalized health plan with diet, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations, and the ability to upload and track past lab data. It's an interesting model for those who want a guided, all-in-one platform.
- Mito Health: I've been seeing a lot of buzz around Mito Health lately. They offer a comprehensive panel of over 100 biomarkers and, for a starting price of around $350, you get your results reviewed by a clinician, a personalized health report, and a one-on-one consultation. They have a huge network of labs across the country, making it a convenient option.
- Other Services: The list goes on! Companies like InsideTracker, Thorne, and even established labs like Labcorp and Quest offer direct-to-consumer testing. This is a fantastic trend because it puts the power back in our hands, allowing us to be more proactive about our health.
Pros and Cons of Function Health
Here's a quick rundown of my thoughts on Function's strengths and weaknesses:
Pros:
- Slick UI: The user interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate.
- All-in-One Tracking: For those who don't want to manually track their data, having everything in one location is a huge plus.
- Comprehensive Panel: The suite of tests is incredibly thorough, giving you a wide-angle view of your health.
- Visual Data: The graphs showing how your biomarkers change over time are a great feature.
Cons:
- Over-testing?: While comprehensive, the sheer quantity of tests might be overkill for an annual check-in. I prefer to focus on the basics and any specific markers I'm trying to improve. For example, my Lp(a) is genetically low, so I don't need to test it every year.
- Generic Clinician Notes: I found the clinician notes to be pretty generic and not particularly insightful.
- Cookie-Cutter Recommendations: The supplement and food recommendations felt a bit generic and not tailored to my specific needs or goals.
- Lack of Actionable Guidance: The platform is great at presenting data, but it falls short in helping someone who isn't well-versed in this space know what to do to optimize their health, rather than just be in the "normal" range. (Full transparency: this is a gap my own company aims to fill).
Will I Stick with Function?
So, back to the big question. Am I renewing my Function Health subscription?
I think Function is an excellent choice, especially if you can snag a deal or a sale price. However, for me, the $500 annual fee is a bit steep, and I've found that I can save money by being more targeted with my testing.
This approach works for me because I'm a bit of a data nerd. I enjoy tracking my own data, and I even run a company that helps people analyze their blood test results and create actionable health plans. So, I don't necessarily need all my data in one provider's platform, and I have the tools and time to track my biomarkers over time.
But I can see the appeal of Function's polished experience. If you're willing to pay a premium for a seamless interface where you can see how your biomarkers change over time, the $500 price tag could be well worth it.
Ultimately, I'll be moving on to using GoodLabs for the bulk of my testing, but I can definitely see why sticking with Function would be an attractive option for many and have my parents and inlaws sticking with function as it’s convenient and allows them to have everything in one place.
I hope this review has been helpful! If you're considering Function Health, I think it's a solid platform with a lot to offer. The key is to weigh the cost against your own needs and how hands-on you want to be with your health data.