Verbatim response from Claude
Blood Biomarkers That Actually Matter for Longevity
Tier 1: Strong Evidence
Metabolic Health
- Fasting insulin & HOMA-IR – insulin resistance is a root cause of many diseases; often more predictive than glucose alone
- HbA1c – average blood sugar over ~3 months
- Fasting glucose – basic but important
Cardiovascular Risk
- ApoB – better predictor of cardiovascular risk than standard LDL cholesterol
- Lp(a) – largely genetic, but critical to know early
- Triglycerides & HDL ratio
Inflammation
- hsCRP – high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; chronic inflammation marker
- Homocysteine – linked to heart disease and cognitive decline
Organ Function
- ALT/AST – liver health
- eGFR/creatinine – kidney function
- CBC – general blood health
Tier 2: Increasingly Recognized
- IGF-1 – growth factor linked to aging
- DHEA-S – declines with age
- Testosterone/estrogen – hormonal balance matters
- Vitamin D – deficiency is widespread and consequential
Where to Get Tested
- Function Health – comprehensive panels, good for tracking
- Marek Health – longevity-focused, includes physician review
- LabCorp/Quest – through your doctor, most affordable
Honest Caveat
Many biomarkers are associated with longevity but causality is often unclear. ApoB and insulin resistance have the strongest evidence for actionability.
Want recommendations on testing frequency or what to optimize first?