Verbatim response from Claude
Blood Biomarkers That Actually Matter for Longevity
Core Metabolic Markers
- Fasting insulin & glucose – Early insulin resistance is one of the strongest predictors of disease; standard glucose alone misses a lot
- HbA1c – Average blood sugar over ~3 months
- Triglycerides & HDL ratio – Better cardiovascular risk signal than total cholesterol alone
- ApoB – More accurate LDL particle risk than standard LDL-C
Inflammation
- hsCRP – High-sensitivity C-reactive protein; chronic low-grade inflammation drives aging
- Homocysteine – Linked to cardiovascular and cognitive decline
Hormones & Nutrients
- Vitamin D (25-OH) – Deficiency linked to dozens of diseases
- Thyroid (TSH, Free T3/T4) – Affects energy, metabolism, cognition
- Testosterone/Estrogen – Decline accelerates aging
- IGF-1 – Growth factor with complex longevity implications
Organ Health
- Creatinine/eGFR – Kidney function
- ALT/AST – Liver health
Where to Get Tested
- Function Health – Comprehensive panel (100+ markers), Peter Attia-backed
- InsideTracker – Adds algorithmic recommendations
- LabCorp/Quest – Affordable if you have specific targets
- Marek Health – Good for hormone optimization focus
Most underordered but high-value: fasting insulin and ApoB — often not included in standard physicals.