It looks like private enterprise is getting into the lab testing business, making it possible for you to bypass your doctor to get a blood test (and others). In researching this topic, I came across a Forbes Health site that rates 11 such companies. Here’s a quote from the site:
You Might Feel Fine—But What’s Happening Inside?
Fatigue. Weight gain. Brain fog. These subtle symptoms are often dismissed
or attributed to stress. However, they could be early warning signs of deeper
issues, such as nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances, inflammation, or
even the onset of chronic disease. The problem? Most people are unaware, as
they do not test their blood regularly enough.
On reading this, my initial thought was “Good heavens! It’s
a scare tactic to generate business!”
One company, called Function, was not listed in the Forbes
list (I don’t know why). But it was the focus of a New York Times
article. For $365 a year, Function offers more than 160 lab tests—far beyond
what is typically included in an annual workup. (If you test that many markers,
a few of them will be abnormal in a person who’s healthy.)
Function customers
receive a summary created by AI and reviewed by a clinician. The summary includes
the test results, how to interpret them, and what steps to take next. The
company does not accept insurance. The blood draws themselves are performed at
Quest Diagnostics locations.
The bloodwork that you’d typically get from your doctor
mostly screens for common conditions that have well-established treatments, such
as diabetes and anemia. Depending on your history or symptoms, you might also be
tested for additional biomarkers.
Looking at 100 to 1000 biomarkers—as offered by these
companies—sounds like a fishing expedition, leading to unnecessary follow-ups,
treatments, and anxiety. I’ll skip it.
For an introduction to this blog, see I Just Say No; for a list of blog topics, click the Topics tab.
For an introduction to this blog, see I Just Say No; for a list of blog topics, click the Topics tab.
