Verbatim response from Claude
Blood Biomarkers That Actually Matter for Longevity
Core Panel (High Evidence)
Metabolic Health
- Fasting glucose + insulin (calculate HOMA-IR) - insulin resistance is a root cause of many diseases
- HbA1c - long-term blood sugar control
- Triglycerides & HDL ratio - better cardiovascular predictor than total cholesterol alone
Inflammation
- hs-CRP - high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, chronic inflammation marker
- Homocysteine - cardiovascular and cognitive risk
Hormones
- Testosterone, estradiol, DHEA-S - decline predicts multiple age-related conditions
- Thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4)
Organ Function
- Comprehensive metabolic panel (kidney, liver markers)
- CBC - anemia, immune function
Emerging Markers (Strong Interest)
- ApoB - better LDL particle risk measure than standard LDL
- Lp(a) - genetic cardiovascular risk, test once
- IGF-1 - growth hormone axis, links to aging pathways
- Ferritin - iron storage (both high and low are problematic)
Recommended Services
- Function Health - 100+ markers, physician-reviewed, ~$500/year
- Marek Health - optimization-focused with physician consult
- Inside Tracker - good for athletes, tracks over time
- LabCorp/Quest - affordable basics through your doctor
Honest Caveat
Biomarkers are inputs, not outcomes - lifestyle changes move these numbers more than most supplements.
Want specifics on any category?