When it comes to health, it's far better to PREVENT potential diseases and cancers than try to CURE them. And if a symptom does pop up, I'd much rather take a functional medicine approach to fixing it than conventional medicine.
Over the years, my husband and I have made lifestyle, food and habit changes to increase our longevity and quality of life.
One of the best investments we've made is to join Function Health.
It's as easy as this:
Pay $499 per year to have 100+ biomarkers performed through blood work. The lab takes place not once, but TWICE a year so that you have time to make improvements on your health before your next lab.
No need to see a doctor in person but if you have health concerns, you'll be able to take your results and concerns to your own functional medicine doctor for review.
Renee's journey:
I consider myself very healthy for my age - I prefer to avoid hospitals unless necessary. The last time I visited my OB/GYN (and didn't even get to see her - my visits were solely with the nurse), I went in due to several weeks of heavy menstrual bleeding. I was checked for fibroids and my blood draw returned normal results. The nurse gave me 3 choices: a hysterectomy, an IUD or "just deal with it." Thankfully, I chose the third option and then researched healthy living. My cycles returned to normal and I went along my happy way, grateful that I didn't mess with my body in a permanent, and/or unhealthy way... one what would likely lead to negative side effects.
1/3/2025: Blood Lab #1
What I really love about this lab work is that the hormones are tested at the right time. It was Day 3 of my menstrual cycle and they'll test again a week later to compare my hormone levels. If this wasn't timed correctly, my hormones could be compared to an average of any woman's cycle, regardless of which day.
I didn't count, but at least 10 vials of blood were taken. I made sure to follow the instructions precisely (fast at least 8 hours, drink plenty, drink more before the test) Personally, I am not squeamish about blood draws but if I was, I'd ask for a bed to lay on while the blood was drawn.
What excited me the most was that the phlebotomist mentioned that many patients came in via Function Health and she was personally impressed with how many tests they required. And at the price I paid, she mentioned oftentimes, one test alone can cost $300 (and here we have 100 biomarkers, done twice a year, at $499!)
1/4/2025: I logged in and checked and already, 4 results are in, and all are in range. So far, so good!
1/7/2025: I received a text reminder to stop taking supplements between now and my appointment 3 days from now. More biomarker results came in and so far, I'm in range for 17 out of 100+ biomarkers so far. That's like finding out that I've scored an A+ on a test (so far... not all the results are in yet!) Beginning tomorrow, I have to avoid seafood and then I'll need to start fasting 8 hours before I head to the lab. Stay tuned!
Oh, and when I log in, I see this message: "You’re measuring 17 biomarkers. Most change in 3-6 months. With results in hand, you have the power to own that change." I can't wait to see how I score with the rest of the 85+ results. 💃 💪
We LOVE Function Health. We signed up to be affiliates for it. If you join through our link, we do receive a "thank you" check.
Here's my dashboard 4 days in... scroll down to continue with me on my journey...
4 DAYS AFTER THE FIRST LAB TEST...
There are 2 lab visits done within a week of each other.
On the screenshot above, I've had the first lab and am awaiting results, which I can log in and check out at any time.
A clinician will review the results after the second visit's results are in and give me feedback. It's like an audit of where I'm at and what I need to work on.
4-6 months later, I'll visit the lab again to do the blood work, and I'll be able to see my progress.
EACH BIOMARKER
You can click on each biomarker to see what it means, what it measures, how you score, and how to improve it. The example above shows my lead level.
1/10/2025: Time for the second blood test. This time, 9 vials of blood were filled and I learned from the phlebotomist that with the number of tests/vials performed that day, the actual cost would have been over $2000! So this is proving to be VERY affordable.
I did BEFORE and AFTER Instagram Reels to document my journey and then went home a few hours later to check if any results were in. Yes! Within 24 hours, 48 more tests results were showing, with all but 3 in range. I'll be checking in on those out of range but plan to see what the Function Health docs say about it before I start making plans to change my diet/lifestyle.
100+ BIOMARKERS TESTED:
Heart
Cholesterol / HDL Ratio
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
HDL Large
LDL Cholesterol
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
LDL Particle Number
LDL Peak Size
Lipoprotein (a)
Total Cholesterol
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Apolipoprotein B (Apo B)
HDL Cholesterol
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
LDL Medium
LDL Pattern
LDL Small
Non-HDL Cholesterol
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Triglycerides
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Female Health
Pregnancy (hCG)
Add on
Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Testosterone, Free (female)
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) (female)
Prolactin (female)
DHEA-Sulfate (female)
Anti-Mullerian Hormone
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
Testosterone, Total
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) (female)
Estradiol (E2) (female)
Stress & Aging
Cortisol
Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1)
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Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Biological Age
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
DHEA-Sulfate (female)
Kidneys
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Calcium
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Creatinine
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Potassium
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Albumin (Microalbumin) - Urine
BUN / Creatinine Ratio
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Chloride
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Sodium
2x
Pancreas
Lipase
Amylase
Blood
Hematocrit
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Platelet Count
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
ABO Group and Rhesus (Rh) Factor
Hemoglobin
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count
2x
Thyroid
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO)
Thyroxine (T4) Free
Iodine
Add on
Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb)
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Triiodothyronine (T3) Free
Selenium
Add on
Cancer Detection
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), Free
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), Total
Multi-Cancer Detection Test
Add on
Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) %, Free
Autoimmunity
Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Screen
Celiac Disease (Comprehensive Panel)
Add on
Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Pattern
Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Titer
Rheumatoid Factor
Male Health
DHEA-Sulfate (male)
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) (male)
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), Free
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), Total
Prolactin (male)
Testosterone, Total
Estradiol (E2) (male)
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) %, Free
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
Testosterone, Free (male)
Liver
Albumin
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Aspartate Transaminase (AST)
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Total Bilirubin
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Globulin
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Alanine Transaminase (ALT)
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Total Protein
2x
Heavy Metals
Arsenic
Add on
Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Mercury
Aluminum
Add on
Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Lead
Electrolytes
Chloride
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Potassium
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Carbon Dioxide
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Calcium
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Magnesium, RBC
Sodium
2x
Urine
Appearance
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Bilirubin
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Color
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Hyaline Casts
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Leukocytes
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Occult Blood
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Protein
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Specific Gravity
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
White Blood Cell (WBC)
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Albumin - Urine (Microalbumin)
Bacteria
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Clarity
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Glucose-Urine
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Ketones
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Nitrite
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
pH
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Red Blood Cell
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Squamous Epithelial Cells
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Yeast
2x
Immune Regulation
Eosinophils
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Lyme Antibody (IgG)
Add on
Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Lymphocytes
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Neutrophils
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Basophils
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Lyme Antibody
Add on
Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Lyme Antibody (IgM)
Add on
Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Monocytes
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
White Blood Cell Count
2x
Metabolic
Leptin
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Adiponectin
Add on
Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Insulin
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Uric Acid
Glucose
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Nutrients
Calcium
2x
Indicates biomarkers that are tested twice per year.
Ferritin
Iodine
Add on
Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
Magnesium
Omega-3: EPA+DPA+DHA
Omega-6: Arachidonic Acid
Omega-6 / Omega-3 Ratio
Selenium
Add on
Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Zinc
Arachidonic Acid/EPA Ratio
Copper
Add on
Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Homocysteine
Iron
Iron % Saturation
Methylmalonic Acid (MMA)
Omega-3 Total
Omega-6: Linoleic Acid
Omega-6 Total
Vitamin D
Biological Age
Biological Age