How curiosity about his health changed everything

Shane had a feeling something wasn't right—but he couldn't quite name it.

A 37-year-old husband and father of 3, he spends his days running a family machining business in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. But in 2024, some symptoms started nagging at him.

Intermittent breathing issues. Occasional trouble swallowing. Lightheadedness that would come and go. Nothing dramatic enough to stop him in his tracks—but persistent enough that he couldn't quite shake it.

He went to his primary care physician. They referred him to an ear, nose, and throat specialist. The specialist examined his neck—and didn't find anything.

Taking matters into his own hands

Shane wanted to go further. That's when he came across a Function ad.

I'm usually not a big fan of advertisements, but in this case, Function's advertisements saved my life.

The idea of testing far more biomarkers than a standard physical resonated immediately. He signed up and completed his first round of lab testing through his Function membership in November 2024—and got to work understanding his results.

The big helpful thing with what Function does, is you can see not only all your tests, but you can get explanations right there. And it's just a lot easier for people to read than what you might get from a doctor's office.

The results didn't raise an immediate red flag—but they pointed to imbalances that confirmed his instincts were right. Something was off.

What his lab tests showed

Several markers came back with room for improvement. His testosterone was low. His iron was less than optimal. He started eating better, exercising more, and following some of the lifestyle insights built into his results.

But one area in particular stood out: his thyroid.

His Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Antibodies—immune system proteins that mistakenly attack the thyroid—came back at 312 IU/mL, above the typical reference range of <9 IU/mL.

Elevated TPO Antibodies can signal autoimmune activity that may impair thyroid function. Learning this, and still dealing with symptoms, Shane decided to also get an Annual MRI through Function for a more complete view.

I'd rather know than not know.

The MRI that led to clarity

The MRI flagged something near his thyroid—signals of a potential mass that warranted a follow-up evaluation.

Shane immediately brought the MRI results back to his doctors. From there, they ordered their own imaging and then a biopsy.

He got a call with his answer: papillary thyroid cancer.

What came next

With cancer running in his family—and his father just finishing treatment of his own—Shane didn't hesitate.

Within 2 weeks of meeting with his surgical team at UPenn, he was in the operating room. The mass was approximately 2.5 inches—larger than what is typically detected—and had begun to spread beyond a single localized area.

When he came out of surgery and his voice was intact, he felt the first wave of relief.

After surgery, he received radioactive iodine treatment to address any remaining thyroid tissue.

You don't realize how important some things are in your body until they're not working right.

That nagging feeling that something was wrong was finally gone.

His new lease on life

With Shane's thyroid removed, he started daily thyroid hormone replacement medication—a permanent change, but a manageable one. Getting the dosage right took time. That's where Function continues to play a role.

Through Function, Shane was able to track his levels more frequently than what insurance would cover alone—and bring that data to his doctors to fine-tune his prescription.

The proof showed up in his metrics, too.

Shane also tracks his health through a wearable device. Before surgery, his breathing rate during sleep consistently ran above 13 breaths per minute. After surgery, it dropped. He was measuring his recovery in real time.

Looking back, he's aware of how easily his thyroid issue could have gone undetected—and how different his story could have looked. "There's nothing like getting a new lease on life."

What he wants others to know

Shane didn't feel horrible. But he had a strong feeling that something was off.

He trusted his gut. He kept pushing.

His wife now tests through Function. So does his mom. And his sister. He talks about it openly with friends, family, and anyone who will listen.

You never know. You could be feeling well, but there's nothing like checking your numbers and checking yourself to know that things are good.

He hopes his story inspires others to take action.

I chose to move forward and chose to find the cancer and get rid of it. That would not have been possible without Function.