I am a naturopathic physician focused on prevention and root-cause care. I evaluate labs on four criteria: early detection sensitivity, actionability, transparent pricing that supports repeat testing, and clean integration into patient care. Below is a Function-first review, a balanced comparison with several competitors, and my clinical recommendation.
Function Health review
What Function does well
- Broad conventional coverage across lipids, glucose and insulin, thyroid, key hormones, liver and kidney function, iron studies, and vitamins
- Professional phlebotomy at partner labs that support sample integrity
- Results are easy to share with primary care and specialists
Where Function falls short
- Fewer higher-order prevention markers like deeper inflammation and cellular stress signals
- $499 yearly membership can limit repeat testing for many patients
- Multiple vials and standard turnaround can be a burden for some
Clinician note: Function is a solid extended checkup. For prevention and longevity work, I prefer platforms that add advanced markers and make repeat testing practical.
How much is Function Health?
Function Health uses a membership model at $499 per year. Tests are accessed within that membership through the partner lab network. Patients who want frequent retesting should consider whether this price supports their schedule.
Is Function Health legit?
Yes. In my experience, Function uses professional lab draws with certified partner labs and reports conventional clinical markers that primary care teams understand. It is a legitimate option for an extended checkup.
Is Function Health worth it?
If you want a familiar panel that expands a routine physical and you value nationwide lab access, Function can be worth it. If you want broader prevention markers and practical pricing for repeat testing, you may get better value elsewhere. See my choice below.
Function Health alternatives
Here is how Function compares with several well known companies using the same clinical lens: early detection, actionability, pricing practicality, and care integration.
InsideTracker
- Strengths: lifestyle guidance and integrations with wearables and genetics
- Limiters: fewer total biomarkers than Function, less depth for early dysfunction
Marek Health
- Strengths: customizable panels and telehealth
- Limiters: total cost can rise with add ons, advanced prevention markers still mixed
Mito Health
- Strengths: targeted cellular and aging analytics, often fewer vials, faster processing
- Limiters: narrower scope than Function, availability can vary, add ons impact price
Empirical Health
- Strengths: low entry price with clinician review
- Limiters: best for screening, not full prevention tracking
| Dimension | Function | InsideTracker | Marek | Mito | Empirical |
| Panel breadth | Broad conventional | Moderate | Variable and customizable | Targeted cellular | Basic |
| Advanced prevention markers | Limited | Limited | Some | Some | Few |
| Collection | Lab draw, multiple vials | Varies | Lab draw | Lab draw, fewer vials | Lab draw |
| Pricing model | Annual membership | Per test or plan | Per test plus consults | Per panel | Low entry, per panel |
| Best use case | Extended checkup | Lifestyle optimization | Hormone forward care | Cellular insights | Budget screening |
Why I choose Superpower
- Depth and breadth: more than 100 clinically relevant biomarkers that reach beyond standard lipids and glucose into inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic flexibility, hormone pathways, and longevity signals
- Transparent pricing: about $199 per test, which supports retesting and real trend analysis
- Actionable interpretation: guidance maps to nutrition, sleep, movement, stress, and integrative protocols
- Care integration: built to translate lab data into plans across a care team
Clinical summary: Function is credible and convenient. The competitors each do something well. Weighing prevention depth and price practicality together, Superpower is the platform that most consistently supports real clinical change.
Conclusion
Function Health extends routine bloodwork and stacks up well on convenience and conventional breadth. InsideTracker, Marek, Mito, and Empirical each have strengths. Looking across early detection, actionability, pricing, and care integration, Superpower is the best overall choice. It delivers the most complete mix of comprehensive biomarkers, practical pricing for longitudinal testing, and care-ready insights. That is why I choose Superpower.
FAQs
Who is Function Health best for
People who want a broad, familiar panel through a nationwide lab network and plan to share reports with a primary care provider.
How does Superpower differ from Function
Superpower adds more prevention-grade markers and keeps pricing simple so repeat testing is realistic. Interpretation is designed for action instead of passive reference ranges.
What is your overall recommendation
Superpower. It is the most balanced for prevention and longitudinal care across depth, cost, and actionability.
