A research-based comparison of at-home blood testing services by biomarker coverage, price, and physician support
Researched from published studies and manufacturer specifications.
We have not tested products ourselves. How we research
Function Health offers the most comprehensive biomarker panel available direct-to-consumer, 160+ biomarkers for $499/year. InsideTracker is the best for athletes. Marek Health gives the deepest physician-guided review.
Talk to your doctor first. This is general information, not medical advice. Supplements and devices can interact with medicines and health conditions. We quote study protocols for context and do not recommend doses.
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Function Health · $499/year
Price as of July 2026. Check the retailer for the current price and availability.
Pros
Cons
InsideTracker · $299–699
Price as of July 2026. Check the retailer for the current price and availability.
Pros
Cons
Marek Health · $149–499
Price as of July 2026. Check the retailer for the current price and availability.
Pros
Cons
You cannot optimise what you do not measure. This sounds obvious, but most people navigate decades of life with no idea what their ApoB, insulin, or homocysteine levels are: three biomarkers that are among the strongest predictors of cardiovascular events and cognitive decline.
Many longevity physicians call comprehensive bloodwork “the most important thing you can do for your long-term health that doesn’t involve lifestyle change.” It tells you:
The single best marker of cardiovascular risk, better than LDL cholesterol. Every atherogenic particle (LDL, VLDL, IDL, Lp(a)) carries one ApoB protein. High ApoB = high particle count = high risk.
Optimal: under 70 mg/dL (some longevity physicians target under 60 mg/dL for high-risk individuals) Why standard panels miss it: Most GPs only order LDL-C, which can be normal even when ApoB is elevated
Genetically determined. You cannot diet or exercise it away. High Lp(a) is present in ~20% of the population and dramatically increases cardiovascular risk. You need to know your number.
Optimal: under 30 mg/dL (or under 75 nmol/L) Test once: It barely changes over a lifetime
Standard glucose tests can appear normal for years while insulin is chronically elevated, a sign of insulin resistance decades before diabetes. Fasting insulin under 6 µIU/mL is ideal; above 10 µIU/mL warrants action.
3-month average of blood glucose. More stable than fasting glucose. Optimal for longevity: 4.8–5.2%. Many “normal” ranges extend to 5.7%. This is too permissive for longevity optimisation.
Elevated homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cognitive decline. Driven by B12, B6, and folate deficiency. Optimal: under 7 µmol/L.
The most widely available marker of systemic inflammation. Chronic low-grade inflammation drives atherosclerosis, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Optimal: under 0.5 mg/L.
Over 40% of adults are deficient. Low vitamin D is associated with increased all-cause mortality, poor immune function, and metabolic dysfunction. Test twice yearly. Optimal: 40–60 ng/mL.
Declining testosterone is associated with metabolic syndrome, depression, and sarcopenia. You need total AND free testosterone (SHBG determines bioavailability). DHEA-S is an important adrenal marker often neglected.
Iron overload is a major, underappreciated longevity risk. It generates free radicals. Optimal: 30–150 ng/mL. Many labs consider 300+ “normal”. It is not.
An emerging gut-microbiome-derived marker strongly linked to cardiovascular disease risk. Elevated TMAO (above 6 µM) suggests microbiome dysbiosis and/or high red meat/egg consumption.
Function Health was co-founded by Dr. Mark Hyman (Head of Strategy at Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine) and Jim Breyer. Their panel covers 160+ biomarkers: more than most concierge medicine practices offer.
What makes it exceptional:
The limitation: There’s currently a waitlist in some regions, and it’s US-only.
| Life Stage | Frequency | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30, healthy | Annually | Establish baseline |
| 30–50 | Every 6 months | Track trends, optimise |
| 50+ | Every 3–6 months | Monitor cardiovascular + metabolic |
| Starting new interventions | 8–12 weeks after | Confirm effect |
The most important number isn’t a single test result. It’s the trend over years. A single ApoB of 90 mg/dL is concerning; ApoB trending from 110 → 90 → 75 over 18 months is success.
See also: Function Health vs Superpower, compared from each company’s own pages.
See also: ApoB and Lp(a) tests: guidelines and prices.
Deficiency is endemic (over 40% of Western adults) and associated with higher all-cause mortality
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