Verbatim response from Claude
Blood Biomarkers That Actually Matter for Longevity
Tier 1: Strong Evidence
Metabolic Health
- Fasting glucose & HbA1c – insulin resistance is a core aging driver
- Fasting insulin – often more sensitive than glucose alone
- Triglycerides & HDL ratio – better cardiovascular predictor than total cholesterol
Inflammation
- hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) – chronic inflammation marker
- IL-6 – stronger predictor than CRP in some studies
Organ Function
- GGT – liver stress, oxidative burden
- Creatinine/eGFR – kidney function decline
Tier 2: Meaningful Supporting Evidence
- Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) – better LDL particle risk than standard LDL
- Homocysteine – cardiovascular and cognitive risk
- IGF-1 – growth signaling, complex longevity relationship
- Testosterone/DHEA-S – hormonal aging
Where to Get Comprehensive Testing
- Function Health – 100+ biomarkers, Peter Attia-backed, ~$500/year
- InsideTracker – includes actionable recommendations
- Marek Health – good for hormone panels
- Your GP – can order most of these, often insurance-covered
Honest Caveat
Single measurements matter less than trends over time. Track quarterly or annually.
Want specifics on any category?