Function Health vs Empirical Health
Complete Head-to-Head Comparison
Compare costs, biomarker coverage, and value to find the best blood testing service for your needs
Quick Comparison Summary
Best Value
Empirical Health
52.6 biomarkers per $100
Most Comprehensive
Function Health
160+ biomarkers tested
Most Tests Per Year
Function Health
2 tests/year
Cost & Value Comparison
Function Health
Annual Cost$365
Tests per Year2
Total Biomarkers160+
Cost per Test$182
Empirical Health
Annual Cost$190
Tests per Year1
Total Biomarkers100+
Cost per Test$190
Service Details
| Feature | Function Health | Empirical Health |
|---|---|---|
| Lab Locations | 2000+ Quest | 2200+ locations |
| Key Features | Cancer markers, autoimmune panel (ANA), advanced lipids (ApoB), heavy metals (lead), Omega-3, clinician review | Personalized MD video visit included, doctor messaging, custom nutrition plan, exercise routines, mobile app |
| Notes | $365/year, single membership tier (reduced from $499; Function announced the $365 price directly). 160+ lab tests 2x/year plus on-demand testing. GRAIL cancer screening, MRI/CT scans, Alzheimer's testing, mold reactivity as add-ons. HSA/FSA eligible. | $190 per test with MD video visit included. Single lab visit. HSA/FSA eligible |
Biomarker Coverage Comparison
52
Tests in Common
53
Only in Function Health
33
Only in Empirical Health
Tests Only in Function Health
- LDL Particle Number(Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health)
- LDL Particle Size(Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health)
- GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase)(Liver Function)
- Free T3 (Triiodothyronine)(Thyroid Function)
- TPO Antibodies (Thyroid Peroxidase)(Thyroid Function)
- Thyroglobulin Antibodies(Thyroid Function)
- Iodine(Thyroid Function)
- Selenium(Thyroid Function)
- Total Testosterone(Sex Hormones (Male))
- Free Testosterone(Sex Hormones (Male))
- SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)(Sex Hormones (Male))
- PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)(Sex Hormones (Male))
41 more
- DHEA-S(Sex Hormones (Male))
- Estradiol (E2)(Sex Hormones (Female))
- Progesterone(Sex Hormones (Female))
- FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)(Sex Hormones (Female))
- LH (Luteinizing Hormone)(Sex Hormones (Female))
- Prolactin(Sex Hormones (Female))
- AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone)(Sex Hormones (Female))
- ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)(Inflammation & Immune Markers)
- Homocysteine(Inflammation & Immune Markers)
- Cortisol(Stress & Adrenal Function)
- Omega-3 Index / Fatty Acids(Advanced / Specialty Markers)
- Heavy Metals - Lead(Advanced / Specialty Markers)
- Heavy Metals - Mercury(Advanced / Specialty Markers)
- Creatine Kinase(Advanced / Specialty Markers)
- IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor)(Advanced / Specialty Markers)
- HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance)(Advanced / Specialty Markers)
- ANA Screen (Antinuclear Antibodies)(Autoimmune Markers)
- ANA Titer(Autoimmune Markers)
- ANA Pattern(Autoimmune Markers)
- Rheumatoid Factor (RF)(Autoimmune Markers)
- Celiac Disease Panel (Comprehensive)(Autoimmune Markers)
- CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)(Cancer Screening Markers)
- CA-125 (Ovarian Cancer)(Cancer Screening Markers)
- CA 19-9 (Pancreatic/GI Cancer)(Cancer Screening Markers)
- AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein - Liver Cancer)(Cancer Screening Markers)
- Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio(Additional Specialized Tests)
- HDL Subfractions (Large/Small)(Additional Specialized Tests)
- Cystatin C(Kidney Function)
- Reverse T3(Thyroid Function)
- Pregnenolone(Sex Hormones (Male))
- Zinc(Electrolytes & Minerals)
- Copper(Electrolytes & Minerals)
- Oxidized LDL (OxLDL)(Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health)
- Fibrinogen(Inflammation & Immune Markers)
- Lipase(Liver Function)
- PTH (Parathyroid Hormone)(Electrolytes & Minerals)
- Osteocalcin(Advanced / Specialty Markers)
- Leptin(Advanced / Specialty Markers)
- Adiponectin(Advanced / Specialty Markers)
- C-Peptide(Metabolic Health / Glucose)
- Immature Granulocytes(Complete Blood Count (CBC))
Tests Only in Empirical Health
- Non-HDL Cholesterol(Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health)
- Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio(Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health)
- LDL/HDL Ratio(Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health)
- ApoB/ApoA1 Ratio(Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health)
- De Ritis Ratio (AST/ALT)(Liver Function)
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio (A/G)(Kidney Function)
- Urine Appearance(Urinalysis)
- Urine Color(Urinalysis)
- Urine pH(Urinalysis)
- Urine Specific Gravity(Urinalysis)
- Urine Protein(Urinalysis)
- Urine Glucose(Urinalysis)
21 more
- Urine Ketones(Urinalysis)
- Urine Bilirubin(Urinalysis)
- Urine Blood (Occult)(Urinalysis)
- Urine Nitrite(Urinalysis)
- Urine Leukocyte Esterase(Urinalysis)
- Urine WBC(Urinalysis)
- Urine RBC(Urinalysis)
- Urine Bacteria(Urinalysis)
- Squamous Epithelial Cells (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Transitional Epithelial Cells (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Renal Epithelial Cells (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Hyaline Casts (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Granular Casts (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Urine Crystals(Urinalysis)
- Calcium Oxalate Crystals (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Uric Acid Crystals (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Triple Phosphate Crystals (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Yeast (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Band Neutrophils(Complete Blood Count (CBC))
- Reactive Lymphocytes(Complete Blood Count (CBC))
- Reducing Substances (Urine)(Urinalysis)
Full biomarker tableall 138 markers, side by side
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, Function Health or Empirical Health?
Empirical Health is cheaper at $190/year, compared with $365/year for Function Health.
How much do Function Health and Empirical Health cost per year?
Function Health costs $365/year for 2 tests ($182 per test). Empirical Health costs $190/year for 1 test ($190 per test).
Which tests more biomarkers, Function Health or Empirical Health?
Function Health lists more biomarkers: 160+, compared with 100+ for Empirical Health. Of the markers in our database, 52 are in both panels.
Which gives more biomarkers per dollar, Function Health or Empirical Health?
Empirical Health gives more biomarkers per dollar: 52.6 per $100 of annual cost, compared with 43.8 for Function Health. Count alone does not decide it; check whether the markers you need are included.
What does Function Health test that Empirical Health doesn't?
53 markers in our database are in Function Health's panel but not Empirical Health's, including LDL Particle Number, LDL Particle Size, GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase), and 50 more.
What does Empirical Health test that Function Health doesn't?
33 markers in our database are in Empirical Health's panel but not Function Health's, including Non-HDL Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio, LDL/HDL Ratio, and 30 more.
How many tests per year do Function Health and Empirical Health include?
Function Health includes 2 tests per year. Empirical Health includes 1 test per year.
Where do Function Health and Empirical Health draw blood?
Function Health: 2000+ Quest. Empirical Health: 2200+ locations.
Can I use insurance with Function Health or Empirical Health?
Both are direct-to-consumer services paid out of pocket. Some buyers pay with HSA/FSA funds or submit receipts for out-of-network reimbursement; check with your plan and the provider.