Function Health Core Lab Panel
Hyman's framework of essential lab categories that everyone should track, organized into metabolic health, inflammation, cholesterol/cardiovascular, thyroid, and nutrients — all delivered via the Function Health platform.
Assembled by Cited from Mark Hyman's recorded recommendations across multiple sources. It is not an ordered program and was not created or endorsed by them — it's our grouping of what they've said on the record.
Components
15-
Sponsor read In a protocol
Hyman promotes Function Health, a membership service offering 160+ lab tests at $365/year to track biomarkers longitudinally and identify root causes.
“over 160 lab tests at just $365 a year
TD▶ 0:35DosageComprehensive panel twice a year; use code mark2026 for $50 offCaveatsHyman is co-founder and CMO of Function HealthCertaintyexplicitstrong endorsementThe delivery platform that bundles these tests -
In a protocol
Measure fasting insulin because it rises before blood sugar/A1C; aim for <5.
“your insulin goes up fasting
TD▶ 17:35DosageOptimal <5; >10 trouble; >20 seriousCertaintyexplicitstrong endorsementMetabolic health category - earliest marker -
In a protocol
Track A1C even in non-diabetics, with concern above 5.
“anything from over five starting to increase can be a concern
TD▶ 17:35DosageOptimal under 5CertaintyexplicitrecommendationMetabolic health category -
In a protocol
Aim for fasting blood glucose in the 70-85 range, not just under 100.
“optimum range is probably 70 to 85
TD▶ 18:15DosageOptimal fasting glucose 70-85 mg/dLCertaintyexplicitrecommendationMetabolic health category - optimal fasting glucose -
In a protocol
Test high-sensitivity CRP as a marker of systemic inflammation.
“HSCRP, which is a marker of systemic inflammation
TD▶ 14:55Certaintyexplicitstrong endorsementInflammation category -
In a protocol
Check ferritin for iron storage and inflammation status.
“ferritin, which can be an iron storage marker
TD▶ 19:30CertaintyexplicitrecommendationInflammation/iron category -
In a protocol
Get advanced cholesterol testing measuring particle size and number rather than just total cholesterol/LDL/HDL.
“the quality of those particles and cholesterol molecules
TD▶ 21:05Certaintyexplicitstrong endorsementCholesterol category - advanced particle testing -
In a protocol
Test Lp(a), a genetically determined cardiovascular risk marker that doctors often miss.
“lipoprotein little a, or LPA
TD▶ 22:00CaveatsGenetically determined but other risks can be managed more aggressivelyCertaintyexplicitstrong endorsementCardiovascular category - genetic marker -
In a protocol
Order a full thyroid panel (TSH, free T3, free T4, thyroid antibodies, reverse T3) rather than only TSH.
“five important tests that you need to look at your thyroid
TD▶ 12:05DosageTSH optimal 1-2 (not 0.5-5); check free T3, free T4, antibodies, reverse T3CaveatsMost doctors only check TSHCertaintyexplicitstrong endorsementThyroid category - full panel -
In a protocol
Test vitamin D levels and aim for an optimal level above 50, not just the lab 'normal' of ~30.
“your vitamin D levels are not over 50
TD▶ 8:40DosageOptimal blood level >50 ng/mLCertaintyexplicitstrong endorsementNutrient category -
In a protocol
Use homocysteine as a better marker for B12 and folate status than standard testing.
“homocysteine and methylmalonic acid, which are the better tests
TD▶ 11:40CertaintyexplicitrecommendationNutrient category - better B12/folate marker -
In a protocol
Use methylmalonic acid as a better marker for B12 status.
“homocysteine and methylmalonic acid, which are the better tests
TD▶ 11:40CertaintyexplicitrecommendationNutrient category - better B12 marker -
In a protocol
Check omega-3 fatty acid levels as low levels can contribute to depression and other issues.
“low omega-3 fats, which we check
TD▶ 11:45CertaintyexplicitrecommendationNutrient category -
Endorsement In a protocol
Recommends advanced full-body MRI imaging through Ezra, offered as part of Function Health, for comprehensive screening.
“advanced full-body MRI imaging, which we now offer through Ezra
TD▶ 6:16CaveatsOffered as add-on through Function HealthCertaintyexplicitrecommendationAdd-on imaging through Ezra
How this protocol has evolved
Hyman explicitly organizes these tests into categories ('let's break it down into the big categories of what we track'): metabolic health, inflammation, cholesterol, thyroid, and nutrients, all delivered through the Function Health panel twice yearly.