Maximus Labs vs
Function Health
How two of the most comprehensive lab testing options compare — on depth, value, and what happens after you get your results.
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THE MAXIMUS DIFFERENCE
146 Biomarkers
$199/year
2,000+ locations
Connected
to treatment
THE COMPARISON
See how the testing stacks up.
How Maximus Labs, Function Health, and a standard checkup compare on depth, insights, and what happens with your results.
| Maximus Labs | Function Health | General Annual Checkup | |
Unique biomarkers tested | Up to 146 biomarkers* Optimal: 110 · Maximal: 146 | ~120 biomarkers Does not include follow-up retests | 10–20 biomarkers Varies by provider |
Advanced health calculations | 54 advanced calculations* computed from your lab results Including HOMA-IR, FIB-4, NLR, and more Includes gold-standard method testing for biomarkers like IGF-1 (LC/MS) | 0 advanced calculations Standard lab results only | 0 advanced calculations Basic reference ranges only |
Price | $199/year Optimal Panel · 110 biomarkers $349/year Maximal Panel · 146 biomarkers | $365/year ~120 unique biomarkers | Varies (insurance) 10–20 biomarkers |
Testing schedule | Retest anytime — full panel annually, targeted check-ins via Essential Panel ($99) or add-on panels as needed | 2x/year — but mid-year restest excludes testosterone, SHBG, vitamin D, thyroid, ApoB, cortisol, and more | Requires new doctor visit and order for each test |
Connected to treatment |  Results connect directly to proprietary prescription protocols — testosterone, weight loss, growth hormone, and more |  Testing only — no treatment available | Limited to your doctor’s scope |
Personalized health scores | Scores across 9 health categories with clinician-developed context for every marker |  Generic health summaries and scores | Basic reference ranges only |
Personalized recommendations | Prescription protocol recommendations, plus supplement and lifestyle guidance | Food, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations | General physician guidance |
*Biomarker counts reflect unique markers tested per panel and include direct laboratory measurements performed by Quest Diagnostics, lab-derived calculations, and advanced calculations by Maximus using clinically validated published formulas. Advanced calculations use published medical indices and do not require additional lab draws. Competitor counts reflect publicly available information as of April 2026. Comparison reflects base membership pricing; add-on panels available from all providers.
OUR APPROACH
We didn't build a lab testing company. We built a platform for performance medicine — and testing is where it starts.
Maximus has spent years prescribing evidence-based protocols for testosterone, weight management, growth hormone, stress and sleep — all guided by biomarker data. But we kept seeing the same problem: people paying hundreds of dollars for comprehensive testing from companies that hand you a dashboard and wish you luck. Great data, no clear path forward.
We also noticed something else: panels packed with markers that sound impressive but don't lead to meaningful action. Every biomarker in a Maximus panel is selected because it connects to a specific health insight or intervention — not because it inflates a number on a marketing page.
That's why we built Maximus Labs — not as a standalone testing product, but as the foundation of a complete optimization system. Your results connect directly to personalized protocol recommendations, clinician-backed guidance, and proven interventions.
Because data without a plan is just expensive curiosity.
What this means for you.
More depth. Better value.
The Optimal panel delivers 110 biomarkers across metabolic, cardiovascular, and hormonal health for $199. Upgrade to Maximal for 146 biomarkers at $349 — and still get more depth than Function Health’s single tier at $365.
Actionable results.
Most lab testing companies hand you data and leave the next steps to you. Maximus connects your results to personalized protocol recommendations and physician-supervised interventions.
Built by doctors and researchers.
Maximus was founded by a physician with deep expertise in clinical psychology and psychiatry, and is backed by a network of expert medical researchers and doctors. When our team interprets your results, it’s informed by years of prescribing and publishing real outcomes.
THE MAXIMUS DIFFERENCE
Other companies stop at testing. We're just getting started.
Your lab results don't just live in a dashboard — they connect to a complete performance medicine ecosystem backed by board-certified clinicians and clinical research.
Get your comprehensive baseline
110–146 biomarkers across every major health system
Understand your data
Personalized health scores, expert context, and clear guidance
Receive protocol recommendations
Tailored suggestions for pharmaceutical, supplement, and lifestyle interventions
Take action with confidence
Access physician-supervised protocols designed for your specific goals
Your results connect directly to an ecosystem of evidence-based protocols.
Testosterone Optimization →
Multiple protocol options including fertility-preserving approaches
Growth Hormone →
Increase your body's natural growth hormone production
Stress, Mood & Sleep →
Patent-pending Oxytocin Calming Cream
Hair Growth →
Clinically validated oral and topical protocols
Weight Management →
GLP-1 and GIP therapies for sustainable results
Foundational Nutrition →
Prescription-strength Building Blocks multivitamin
This is what makes Maximus fundamentally different from a testing-only company. We don't just reveal what's happening in your biology — we help you do something about it.
Side effects
Contact your provider immediately if severe symptoms occur. Regular monitoring may be needed to track your response to treatment.
Common side effects may include:
- Injection site reactions (redness, pain, swelling)
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Headache
- Dizziness
Serious side effects may include:
- Fluid retention or swelling
- Allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling)
- High blood sugar
Common questions about lab testing
What's the difference between a direct measurement and an advanced calculation?
A direct measurement is a biomarker physically measured from your blood sample by the lab, like total testosterone or glucose. An advanced calculation is a clinically validated health index computed from your direct measurements using published medical formulas — like HOMA-IR (insulin resistance) or FIB-4 (liver fibrosis risk). Both provide meaningful clinical insight. Maximus computes 54 advanced calculations from your results, giving you a deeper picture of your health without requiring additional lab draws.
How does Maximus Labs testing connect to treatment?
Unlike standalone testing companies, Maximus Labs results connect directly to an ecosystem of physician-supervised prescription protocols — including testosterone optimization, weight management, growth hormone therapy, and more. Your biomarker data informs personalized treatment recommendations from board-certified clinicians, so you're not left interpreting results on your own.
How many biomarkers does Maximus Labs test?
The Optimal Panel tests 110 biomarkers and the Maximal Panel tests 146 biomarkers, including 54 advanced health calculations computed from your lab results. Both panels are performed at 2,000+ Quest Diagnostics locations nationwide.
How often can I retest with Maximus Labs?
You can retest anytime. Full panels are available annually, and targeted check-ins are available through the Essential Panel (73 key biomarkers, $99) or specialized add-on panels. This gives you flexibility to track progress on the biomarkers that matter most to you without paying for a full panel every time.
What does Function Health not include in their mid-year retest?
Function Health includes a mid-year follow-up, but it excludes several key biomarkers — including testosterone, SHBG, vitamin D, thyroid markers, ApoB, and cortisol. These are among the most commonly tracked markers for people actively managing their health, which means you may not get a complete picture between annual tests.
Why does Maximus use gold-standard testing methods like LC/MS for IGF-1?
Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS) is the most accurate method for measuring IGF-1, a critical marker for growth hormone status. Most testing companies use less precise immunoassay methods. Maximus includes LC/MS testing for IGF-1 because accuracy matters, especially when results inform treatment decisions.
Precision testing for peak performance.
Optimal Panel — 110 biomarkers · $199/year
Maximal Panel — 146 biomarkers · $349/year
