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.
THE SECOND FOLLOW-UP LAB TEST:
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.
1/20/2025: Ten days after blood test #2, more results are in.
Watch the video to see where I'm at now.
Almost all of the biomarkers are in and I'm only waiting for the Clinician's Notes to find out specifically what I need to work on.
What I love:
My Biological Age is 10 years younger than my Chronological age!
Most of the biomarkers are in range and a few of the out of range biomarkers are very close to in range.
What I don't like: Not sure why my cholesterol looks so bad but hoping it'll be explained that it's not as bad as it looks :)
1/31/2025: My full results have been in and so is the clinician's report! Everything was done within 20 days.
Time to dig in and see what I have to work with: (note that my actual age is 53 while my biological age is 42.8, so I'm liking this so far)
Peek inside my Function Health portal to see how I'm doing:
It's so easy to navigate through the dashboard and find out where I'm at, what I can work on in the upcoming months, and schedule my 4 month lab follow up visit.
After that, I'll have more to report in the progress report.
SUMMARY OF FUNCTION HEALTH CLINICIAN NOTES
The clinician notes were LONG (but I show you in the video above) so I'll just include the areas I need to work on. The 12 "out of range" biomarkers reveal this:
"Glucose levels are slightly elevated at 102 mg/dL, which is above the typical normal reference range of 65-99 mg/dL. This could indicate a need for more precise monitoring of blood sugar levels, especially since you are following a ketogenic and low-carbohydrate diet. Factors such as stress, sleep quality, or even the timing of the test might have contributed to this result."
"Additionally, the cardiovascular panel highlights some concerns with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol, and Apolipoprotein B; these are risk factors for cardiovascular health. The presence of dense small and medium LDL particles further emphasizes the potential risk of atherosclerosis."
"Finally, the White Blood Cell (WBC) count is slightly low at 3.7 thousand/uL, which is a minimal deviation but something to monitor, as it might reflect aspects of immune function that could benefit from further evaluation and monitoring."
My Function Health Action Plan:
My glucose is only slightly elevated and my white blood cell count is slightly low. To lower my blood sugar level, I'll continue my exercise routine (weight training 3 times a week and cardio twice a week), my Keto diet (to keep a lower carb intake), and keep eating probiotic foods. What I need to improve on for the blood sugar level management is watch my sugar intake (sweets are my downfall!), increase my fiber (sweet potatoes and seeds will help!), eat a variety of 5-7 vegetables daily of various colors, and do what I can to get better quality sleep at night. Because my white blood cell is only slightly low, I'm not too worried about it. But I will prioritize consuming immune-boosting foods and antioxidant-rich vegetables. Because the heart biomarkers are my biggest concern, I'll focus on those the most.
Function Health Recommends I Eat These Top 5 Foods:
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herring
-
mackerel
-
salmon
-
tomato
-
bison
I'm not too excited about the top two, but by hovering over their food suggestions, it reveals why.
We just purchased grass fed free-range beef from a friend and apparently, this has more Omega 3's than salmon. It's easier to make a lifestyle/food change when it's something you love and look forward to!
The top 5 recommended foods to avoid were all oil-related - all of which I don't consume anyway unless I dig into a bag of Doritos. I just need to really be strict about processed foods and I'll be on the way to improving my heart health. Right now, the only oils I use are olive and avocado, but I will add more omega-3's to my diet and supplement regime.
I have the option to re-check in two months but I'll likely work hard on these goals and have the next blood lab work done in 4 months. Function Health will remind me when it's time. Stay tuned!
100+ BIOMARKERS TESTED with the Function Health Lab:
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)
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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
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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
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Indicates test that can be purchased à la carte
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) %, Free
Autoimmunity
Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Screen
Celiac Disease (Comprehensive Panel)
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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