Best Lab Testing Services: What Your Options Actually Cover
Comprehensive lab testing has moved beyond the annual physical. Services like Function Health, InsideTracker, and Lifeforce now make it possible to test 100+ biomarkers at home and receive clinician-reviewed results - without waiting for a physician referral. But they differ meaningfully in what they test, what they do with the results, and what they cost. Here’s what to know before choosing one.
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Medical disclaimer: Lab testing results are not a diagnosis. Information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If your results indicate an area of concern, consult a licensed healthcare provider who can evaluate your specific situation. Individual results vary. Full medical disclaimer →
Side-by-Side Comparison
Three services, one table. Prices are approximate as of March 2026. Pricing may vary by location, eligibility, and medication type. Biomarker counts and pricing tiers change - verify directly with each provider.
| Service | Best For | Price | Markers Tested | Clinician Review | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Function Health Most Comprehensive | People who want the most complete biomarker picture with included clinician review | ~$499/yr Annual membership |
100+ markers | Included | 2× per year |
| InsideTracker Most Flexible | People who want tiered panel options and AI-driven lifestyle recommendations | ~$179–$699/panel Per purchase |
20–40+ markers (varies by tier) | Recommendations via app | Buy as needed |
| Lifeforce | People who want labs bundled with hormone optimization and clinician follow-up | ~$129–$299/mo Labs included in membership |
40+ markers (hormone-focused) | Included | Quarterly |
Prices are approximate as of March 2026. Pricing may vary by location, eligibility, and medication type. Biomarker panels and pricing tiers are subject to change. Affiliate disclosure: UnitedWellness may earn a commission when you sign up through our links. Full disclosure.
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Source: press kit
Function Health
UnitedWellness Assessment
Function Health tests more biomarkers than any other service reviewed here and includes clinician review of your results in the membership price. If you want the most complete picture of your metabolic, hormonal, cardiovascular, and organ health in a single annual panel, Function Health is the most thorough option. The annual model also makes it a useful baseline - you test twice a year and track changes over time.
Best for: People who want a comprehensive annual biomarker panel with clinician review, without needing a physician referral.
What Function Health covers
Function Health tests over 100 biomarkers across categories including metabolic health, thyroid function, cardiovascular risk, hormones, inflammation, nutrient levels, organ function, and more. The blood draw is done at home by a certified phlebotomist who comes to you. Results are delivered through their platform with clinician-written explanations of what each marker means and what, if anything, warrants follow-up.
Membership includes two full panels per year, which is a practical cadence for tracking trends. Seeing where a marker moves between draws is often more informative than a single data point. You can read more about which markers matter and why in our biomarker guide.
Cost
Annual membership pricing for Function Health starts at approximately $499 per year as of March 2026. That includes two full panels and clinician review. There is no separate fee for each blood draw or the lab processing. Insurance does not cover the membership, though FSA and HSA eligibility may apply depending on your plan - verify with your benefits administrator.
Strengths
- 100+ biomarkers - most comprehensive panel reviewed
- Clinician review included in membership
- At-home blood draw by certified phlebotomist
- Annual cadence supports trend tracking over time
Limitations
- Annual commitment - less flexible than per-panel purchasing
- No insurance coverage
- Membership waitlist possible depending on location and time of year
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Source: press kit
InsideTracker
UnitedWellness Assessment
InsideTracker’s tiered panel structure lets you choose how much to test and spend, which makes it more accessible for someone who isn’t ready to commit to an annual membership. Their AI-driven recommendations translate biomarker results into specific food, exercise, and supplement suggestions - a useful layer for people who want action items from their data, not just numbers.
Best for: People who want flexible panel options and concrete lifestyle recommendations tied to their results.
What InsideTracker covers
InsideTracker offers multiple panel tiers, from a focused metabolic panel to a comprehensive panel covering 40+ markers including hormones, nutrients, and organ function. You purchase panels individually rather than through an annual membership, which means you control the frequency and scope. Blood is drawn at a LabCorp location or through an at-home collection depending on your panel selection.
After results come in, InsideTracker’s platform generates specific recommendations for nutrition, exercise, sleep, and supplements based on your numbers. This action-layer is where they differentiate from raw lab reporting. The app tracks your results over time if you retest.
Cost
Panel pricing ranges from approximately $179 for a basic metabolic panel to $699 or more for their most comprehensive tier as of March 2026. Because you purchase per panel rather than through a membership, total annual cost depends on how often you retest. For someone who tests twice a year at the comprehensive level, total cost approaches or exceeds Function Health’s annual membership. For someone testing once at a lower tier, it’s more affordable.
Strengths
- Flexible per-panel purchasing - no annual commitment
- AI-driven lifestyle recommendations tied to results
- Multiple panel tiers to match budget and testing goals
- Long-term trend tracking in the app
Limitations
- Comprehensive panel cost can approach or exceed Function Health annually
- No clinician review included - recommendations are algorithm-driven
- Blood draw requires a LabCorp visit for some panels (not always at-home)
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Source: press kit
Lifeforce
UnitedWellness Assessment
Lifeforce sits differently than the other two services reviewed here because it’s not just a lab testing service - it’s a program. Labs are included in the membership, but the point of those labs is to inform a hormone and health optimization plan with clinician oversight. If you want testing that leads directly to treatment, Lifeforce is the most integrated option. Also reviewed in our Hormone Health comparison.
Best for: People who want labs and clinician-guided hormone optimization in a single program, rather than standalone testing.
What Lifeforce covers
Lifeforce starts with a comprehensive at-home blood draw that covers 40+ markers focused on hormones, metabolic health, cardiovascular risk, and inflammation. A clinician reviews your results and works with you to create a protocol that may include testosterone, DHEA, or other interventions depending on your goals and results. Labs are repeated quarterly to track changes.
The program serves both men and women. For men, the focus is often on testosterone optimization. For women, the scope is broader and connects to the hormone programs reviewed in our hormone health comparison.
Cost
Monthly membership pricing starts at approximately $129 to $299 as of March 2026, with labs included. Medication costs, if any, are separate. The monthly model makes Lifeforce more expensive on an annual basis than a standalone lab testing service, but you’re paying for ongoing clinician oversight and treatment, not just data.
Strengths
- Labs and clinician-guided optimization in one program
- Quarterly retesting for ongoing trend tracking
- Serves men and women
Limitations
- Higher total cost than standalone lab testing if you only want data
- No insurance accepted
- More markers available through Function Health’s panel
How to choose the right service
Start by asking what you want to do with the results. If the goal is a comprehensive data picture with clinician context - and you want to track changes annually - Function Health gives you the most markers and includes professional review. That’s the most thorough testing option reviewed here.
If you want flexibility - testing specific areas, not committing to a full membership, or getting actionable lifestyle recommendations from your numbers - InsideTracker’s tiered panels and AI recommendation layer are the better fit. The cost-per-panel approach works well if you plan to test once or twice a year on your own schedule.
If you already know you want labs plus a treatment plan - particularly around hormones - Lifeforce is built for that combination. You won’t need to find a separate provider to act on what your results show.
Want to understand what the markers actually mean before you choose? Our biomarker guide explains the key categories in plain language. And for a broader look at the longevity space, start with the Longevity & Labs hub.
Common questions about at-home lab testing
Function Health is the strongest overall option for comprehensive biomarker testing, with 100+ markers and clinician review included. InsideTracker is the most flexible choice if you want tiered panels and lifestyle recommendations from your data. Lifeforce is best if you want labs integrated into an ongoing hormone optimization program. The right fit depends on how much you want to test and what you plan to do with the results.
No. Function Health, InsideTracker, and Lifeforce all provide lab testing without requiring a separate physician referral. Each service includes its own clinician review or recommendation layer. If your results show something that needs medical follow-up, however, you will need to work with a licensed healthcare provider who can evaluate and treat based on those findings.
As of March 2026: Function Health’s annual membership starts at approximately $499 for two full panels. InsideTracker panels range from approximately $179 to $699 or more depending on the tier. Lifeforce starts at approximately $129 to $299 per month with labs included. Always confirm current pricing directly with each provider before purchasing.
Yes, when collection is done correctly. All three services use CLIA-certified labs for processing, which is the same standard as hospital or physician-ordered labs. The main variable is collection quality - improper handling or timing can affect certain markers, particularly hormones. Services reviewed here use trained phlebotomists or established protocols to minimize this risk.
Key categories for longevity-oriented testing include metabolic markers (glucose, insulin, HbA1c), cardiovascular risk (ApoB, LDL particle size, triglycerides, Lp(a)), inflammation (hs-CRP, homocysteine), thyroid function, hormones (testosterone, DHEA, cortisol), and organ health (liver enzymes, kidney function). Our biomarker guide covers these categories in detail and explains what to do with the results.