How lab testing can help you better understand your health
Last Updated
June 12, 2026
Lab testing through Function gives you a detailed view of your health using biomarker data, helping you understand changes over time and prepare for conversations with your healthcare provider.
When your energy dips, your sleep quality slips, or something just feels off, it’s easy to rationalize it away. You might blame stress at work, a busy season of life, or a lack of sleep. Many people keep moving forward without ever getting a clear explanation for what is happening inside their bodies.
Guessing isn’t a plan — lab testing gives you real data you can use.
That’s one reason more people are turning to direct-to-consumer lab testing to replace assumptions with real data. Instead of waiting for a problem to escalate or relying on surface-level checkups, lab testing can help you create a clear baseline of how your body is functioning today, and how it changes over time.
HealthEquity HSA and FSA members can now access lab testing in marketplace after logging in. The testing is provided by Function, an independent third-party service designed to give you a deeper, more actionable view of your health.1 These services may be qualified medical expenses with your Health Savings Account (HSA) or healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA).2
What does an annual physical miss?
A traditional physical usually checks a snapshot of your health, often looking at just a few common lab markers such as a basic lipid panel, glucose, and complete blood count (CBC). That can be useful, but it doesn’t always answer bigger questions like:
- Why do your energy levels dip even when you get enough sleep?
- How are your hormone, nutrient, or metabolic markers shifting over time?
- How are your heart, metabolic, and immune signals trending before symptoms appear?
In recent years, interest in expanded lab testing has grown as people look for ways to be proactive about their health. Since 2023, Function members have completed more than 50 million lab tests.
The goal isn’t just diagnosis or treatment. It’s owning your health — earlier — by understanding patterns, changes, and potential areas to discuss with your healthcare provider.
That’s where Function fits in.
What is Function and how is it different from routine lab testing?
Function is a health information platform that gives you access to over 160 lab tests designed to provide a whole-body view of your health.
The tests span major systems and functions, including:
- Heart and metabolic health
- Hormones and thyroid markers
- Liver and kidney function
- Nutrient levels and inflammation markers
- Immune and cardiovascular signals
Rather than giving you a one-time snapshot, Function is built around understanding change over time. Start with 100+ tests at your first visit, then retest 60+ mid-year. Licensed clinicians review your results and translate them into plain-language insights. This helps you understand what each biomarker measures and what trends may be worth your attention.
Importantly, Function doesn’t provide medical advice or diagnoses. It provides structured health information that you can use as a starting point for conversations with your doctor.
How does lab testing through Function work?
If you are new to lab testing outside of insurance-based care, the process may sound complex. However, it’s designed to be simple and straightforward.
Step 1: Schedule tests
Sign up for Function through HealthEquity marketplace and schedule your tests at one of 2,000 partner locations. You don’t need insurance.
Step 2: Get insights
Clinicians review your results and health history to highlight what matters and what to do next. You can view your insights, ask AI questions about your data in a private chat, and share your results with anyone you choose, all in one secure dashboard.
Step 3: Test again
Health isn’t just one test; it’s a pattern. Retest every 3 to 6 months to see what changes. With routine testing, you can spot patterns and identify indicators for changes in your health.
Why do people choose Function for lab testing?
People come to Function for different reasons, but most share a common motivation: clarity. (Check out a few of their stories here.)
Creating a personal baseline
Many health questions can’t be answered by a single result. Function gives you a detailed look into where you’re at now to help you build a baseline to compare against future results. Even if you feel “mostly fine,” that baseline could be especially valuable.
Tracking change over time
Your body isn’t static. Aging, stress, nutrition, and sleep all influence your body. By testing again later, you can see which signals are stable and which are shifting. This means you don’t have to rely on guesswork.
Going beyond symptoms
Lab testing can surface changes even when you feel fine. That information can feel empowering rather than alarming. It replaces uncertainty with visibility and context.
Clarity without complexity
Function’s focus on plain-language explanations makes your results actionable. Instead of raw numbers, you get context about what is being measured and how it fits into your overall health picture.
Can you use your HSA/FSA funds for lab testing?
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are designed to help you pay for eligible healthcare expenses, including certain lab testing services. Paying with your tax-advantaged HSA or FSA could save you 30%.3
Through HealthEquity marketplace, eligible members may be able to use HSA/FSA funds to pay for lab testing provided through Function. Using tax-advantaged dollars makes proactive health monitoring more accessible, especially if you have balances set aside specifically for long-term health needs.
Eligibility depends on IRS rules and your individual plan terms, so you should always confirm whether a purchase qualifies under your plan.
How does lab testing fit into your overall health plan?
Function isn’t meant to replace care from your healthcare provider. Instead, it serves as an information layer, helping you arrive at doctor’s appointments with clearer questions and documented trends.
For some, lab insights simply confirm that things are on track. For others, patterns across metabolic, hormonal, or cardiovascular markers may prompt deeper conversations with a clinician or positive lifestyle adjustments.
Either way, the true value lies in replacing assumptions with actual data, and uncertainty with understanding.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is lab testing through Function the same as a doctor’s visit?
No. Function provides access to lab testing and health information, but it doesn’t replace care from a healthcare provider. The results are intended to support informed conversations and personal health awareness.
Do I need insurance or a referral?
No. Insurance or a referral is not required to access lab testing through Function.
Where does the lab work take place?
Lab work is completed at more than 2,000 partner lab locations across the U.S., and your results are delivered digitally.
What kind of information do the results provide?
Results show measured biomarkers along with plain-language explanations that provide context. This helps you understand what’s being tracked and why it matters.
Can I use my HSA or FSA to pay for this?
Yes, lab testing through Function may qualify as an eligible expense for your HSA or FSA, depending on IRS rules and your individual plan terms. You are responsible for confirming eligibility under your specific plan.