The complete blood work guide for longevity: every test explained

A blood test costs less than a dinner out. Yet no other tool in preventive medicine gives you more actionable information about how fast you are aging, which organ systems are under stress, and what specific interventions will have the greatest impact on your healthspan.

For an isolated bilirubin flag, high bilirubin with normal liver enzymes is the narrower workflow.

Blood work is most powerful when read alongside the lifestyle factors that drive your biomarkers — exercise, sleep, and metabolic health. Our complete exercise guide for longevity and metabolic health and aging guide explain exactly how physical training and metabolic function influence every marker on this panel.

The problem is not access to blood work — it is knowing which tests to order, how to interpret the results through a longevity lens, and how often to retest for meaningful trend tracking. Standard medical panels were designed to catch disease after it develops. A longevity-oriented blood panel catches the trajectory toward disease years or decades earlier, when course correction is still cheap and effective.

This guide is the definitive hub for every blood biomarker that matters for longevity. We will walk through a tiered panel system — from a basic starter set anyone can order today to a comprehensive advanced panel for serious longevity practitioners — with optimal ranges, interpretation guidance, and links to our in-depth articles on each individual marker.

What you’ll learn:

• Why “normal” blood work is not enough for longevity
• How often to test: the optimal schedule
• Tier 1: The basic longevity panel (10 markers)
• Tier 2: The expanded panel (8 additional markers)
• Tier 3: The comprehensive longevity panel (6 advanced markers)
• How to calculate your biological age from blood work
• Practical steps to build your panel
• How SuperAge tracks your blood work
• FAQ

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Quick definition

The problem is not access to blood work — it is knowing which tests to order, how to interpret the results through a longevity lens, and how often to retest for meaningful trend tracking. Standard medical panels were designed to catch disease after it develops. A longevity-oriented blood panel catches the trajectory toward disease years or decades earlier, when course correction is still cheap and effective.

What you’ll learn

• Why “normal” blood work is not enough for longevity
• How often to test: the optimal schedule
• Tier 1: The basic longevity panel (10 markers)
• Tier 2: The expanded panel (8 additional markers)
• Tier 3: The comprehensive longevity panel (6 advanced markers)

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Why “normal” blood work is not enough for longevity

Quick definition: A longevity blood panel measures biomarkers that predict the rate of biological aging — not just the presence of disease. The optimal ranges are significantly tighter than standard laboratory reference ranges, which are based on a largely unhealthy general population.

When your doctor says your blood work looks “normal,” they are comparing you to the statistical middle of everyone who walked into a lab. That population includes people with undiagnosed metabolic syndrome, chronic inflammation, early-stage insulin resistance, and subclinical organ dysfunction. Falling within those ranges means you are not an outlier among a sick population. It does not mean you are aging well.

The gap between “not sick” and “optimally aging” is enormous, and it lives in the space between conventional reference ranges and longevity-optimal ranges:

Marker	Standard “normal”	Longevity optimal	The gap
Fasting glucose	70–99 mg/dL	72–85 mg/dL	14 mg/dL of hidden risk
hs-CRP	< 3.0 mg/L	< 0.5 mg/L	6x tighter threshold
HbA1c	< 5.7%	< 5.2%	0.5% of silent glycation
Fasting insulin	2–25 μIU/mL	2–6 μIU/mL	4x narrower window
Ferritin (men)	20–500 ng/mL	40–150 ng/mL	350 ng/mL of invisible damage

Large cohort analyses show that many physiological biomarkers have non-linear relationships with mortality, and the lowest-risk zones are often narrower than standard laboratory reference intervals. That is why longevity interpretation focuses on patterns across metabolic, inflammatory, liver, kidney, and cardiovascular markers rather than on a single “normal” flag.

Some result-in-hand patterns deserve their own triage instead of a generic optimal-range view. For example, potassium slightly high may be sample error or a real electrolyte signal depending on hemolysis, kidney function, and medications.

For a deeper dive into testing strategy and frequency, see our companion article on blood tests for longevity: the optimal panel and how often to test.

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How often to test: the optimal schedule

Testing too rarely means you miss emerging trends. Testing too frequently wastes money and creates noise that obscures the signal. The right frequency depends on your age, baseline health, and whether you are actively intervening.

Recommended testing frequency

Profile	Baseline panel	Follow-up panels	Full comprehensive
Under 30, healthy	Once to establish baseline	Every 12 months	Every 2–3 years
30–45, no known issues	Once, ideally with comprehensive tier	Every 6–12 months	Annually
45–60, or any metabolic risk	Comprehensive panel immediately	Every 6 months	Annually
60+, or active intervention	Comprehensive panel immediately	Every 4–6 months	Every 6–12 months
Post-intervention check	Targeted markers only	8–12 weeks after change	—

Key principles

1. Always establish a baseline first. A single data point tells you where you are. Two data points show a direction. Three or more points reveal a trend — and trends are what matter for longevity.
2. Retest 8–12 weeks after a major intervention. If you start a new exercise protocol, change your diet significantly, or begin supplementation, retest the relevant markers after 8–12 weeks to see if the intervention is working.
3. Track trends, not snapshots. A single fasting glucose of 92 mg/dL is not alarming. A fasting glucose that has risen from 78 to 85 to 92 over three years is a metabolic trajectory that demands attention now.
4. Test in consistent conditions. Always test fasted (12–14 hours), in the morning, after a normal night of sleep, and without intense exercise in the prior 48 hours. Inconsistent conditions create noise that makes trend analysis impossible.

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Tier 1: The basic longevity panel

This is the foundational panel that every adult should have at least annually. These 10 markers cover the core pillars of longevity — metabolic health, inflammation, liver function, kidney function, and nutritional status. Most can be ordered through any primary care physician or direct-to-consumer lab.

1. Fasting glucose

Fasting glucose measures how well your body manages blood sugar after an overnight fast. It is the first indicator of insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction — conditions that accelerate every hallmark of aging from glycation to chronic inflammation.

• Standard range: 70–99 mg/dL (3.9–5.5 mmol/L)
• Longevity optimal: 72–85 mg/dL (4.0–4.7 mmol/L)
• Red flag: Consistent readings above 90 mg/dL, even if “normal,” suggest developing insulin resistance

Research from the Whitehall II cohort study showed that fasting glucose above 85 mg/dL is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality risk even in non-diabetics. For the full picture on glucose and aging, read our deep dive on glucose, blood sugar, and aging.

2. HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin)

While fasting glucose gives you a snapshot, HbA1c reveals your average blood sugar over the previous 2–3 months. It measures the percentage of hemoglobin molecules that have been glycated (permanently damaged by glucose) — a process that accelerates tissue aging throughout the body.

• Standard range: < 5.7%
• Longevity optimal: 4.8–5.2%
• Red flag: Anything above 5.4% in someone without diabetes warrants investigation

Glycation is one of the most underappreciated drivers of biological aging. Each 0.1% increase in HbA1c above 5.0% corresponds to measurably higher rates of cardiovascular events, cognitive decline, and all-cause mortality. Our detailed analysis is in HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin, and aging.

3. Fasting insulin

This is arguably the most important metabolic marker that standard panels routinely omit. Fasting insulin reveals insulin resistance years before glucose starts to rise — because your pancreas compensates by producing more insulin to keep glucose in the normal range. By the time glucose is elevated, the underlying dysfunction has been progressing for a decade.

• Standard range: 2–25 μIU/mL
• Longevity optimal: 2–6 μIU/mL
• Red flag: Above 8 μIU/mL with fasting glucose still “normal” indicates compensated insulin resistance

Low fasting insulin is one of the strongest predictors of extended healthspan. Centenarian populations consistently show fasting insulin levels in the 2–5 μIU/mL range. For practical strategies to optimize insulin sensitivity, see fasting insulin: the longevity biomarker.

4. hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein)

hs-CRP is the most accessible measure of systemic inflammation — the chronic, low-grade “inflammaging” that drives nearly every age-related disease from atherosclerosis to neurodegeneration to cancer.

• Standard range: < 3.0 mg/L
• Longevity optimal: < 0.5 mg/L
• Red flag: Persistent levels above 1.0 mg/L, even with no acute infection

The CANTOS trial demonstrated that reducing hs-CRP from above 2.0 to below 1.0 mg/L decreased cardiovascular events by 25% independent of cholesterol levels — confirming that inflammation is a causal driver of aging, not just a bystander. Our complete guide covers everything: hs-CRP: the inflammation marker that predicts biological aging.

5. Albumin

Albumin is the single most powerful predictor of biological age among all standard blood tests. It reflects liver synthetic capacity, nutritional status, systemic inflammation, and antioxidant reserve simultaneously — making it a uniquely multidimensional aging marker.

• Standard range: 3.5–5.5 g/dL
• Longevity optimal: 4.3–5.0 g/dL
• Red flag: Below 4.0 g/dL at any age, or declining trend over serial measurements

Centenarians consistently maintain albumin above 4.0 g/dL, and every 0.1 g/dL decline below 4.3 is associated with measurably higher mortality. Albumin carries the highest weight in both the PhenoAge algorithm and the Aging.ai model. Full details in albumin: the centenarian biomarker.

6. Creatinine and eGFR

Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism filtered by the kidneys. Combined with age and sex to calculate eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate), it provides the best routine assessment of kidney function — an organ system that ages silently and irreversibly.

• Standard creatinine range: 0.7–1.3 mg/dL (men), 0.6–1.1 mg/dL (women)
• Longevity optimal eGFR: > 90 mL/min/1.73m² (ideally > 100 before age 50)
• Red flag: eGFR declining by more than 3 mL/min per year, even if still “normal”

Kidney function declines approximately 1 mL/min per year after age 30 in healthy adults, but this rate accelerates dramatically with hypertension, diabetes, and chronic inflammation. Protecting kidney function early is one of the highest-leverage longevity interventions. See creatinine, kidneys, and longevity.

7. AST and ALT (liver enzymes)

These two liver enzymes, and particularly their ratio (the De Ritis ratio, AST/ALT), provide crucial information about liver health, metabolic stress, and even cardiovascular risk. The liver is the body’s metabolic command center — when it struggles, everything ages faster.

• Standard range: AST 10–40 U/L, ALT 7–56 U/L
• Longevity optimal: AST 15–25 U/L, ALT 10–25 U/L, De Ritis ratio 0.8–1.2
• Red flag: ALT above 30 U/L in men or 20 U/L in women often indicates early fatty liver disease

Elevated ALT is one of the earliest signals of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which now affects over 30% of adults and is a major accelerator of metabolic aging. Our deep dive covers interpretation: AST, ALT, the De Ritis ratio, and longevity.

8. GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase)

GGT is another liver enzyme, but its significance extends far beyond liver disease. Elevated GGT is independently associated with oxidative stress, cardiovascular mortality, diabetes risk, and metabolic syndrome — even when other liver enzymes are normal.

• Standard range: 9–48 U/L (men), 9–32 U/L (women)
• Longevity optimal: < 25 U/L (men), < 18 U/L (women)
• Red flag: GGT in the upper quartile of “normal” doubles cardiovascular risk

GGT reflects glutathione consumption — your body’s master antioxidant. When GGT rises, it means your glutathione system is under stress, fighting oxidative damage at a rate that depletes reserves. Full analysis in GGT: the liver marker that predicts longevity.

9. Urea (BUN)

Urea, or blood urea nitrogen (BUN), provides complementary information to creatinine about kidney function and protein metabolism. It is one of the 9 biomarkers in the PhenoAge biological age algorithm, making it essential for anyone tracking their aging rate.

• Standard range: 6–24 mg/dL (2.1–8.6 mmol/L)
• Longevity optimal: 10–18 mg/dL (3.6–6.4 mmol/L)
• Red flag: Rising BUN with stable creatinine may indicate dehydration, excess protein intake, or GI bleeding

As a PhenoAge component, urea contributes directly to your calculated biological age. Read the details in urea (BUN), kidneys, and aging.

10. Vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D)

Vitamin D deficiency is arguably the most prevalent correctable risk factor for accelerated aging. It affects bone health, immune function, cardiovascular risk, cancer risk, cognitive function, and mood — and an estimated 40–50% of the global population is deficient.

• Standard range: 30–100 ng/mL (75–250 nmol/L)
• Longevity optimal: 50–70 ng/mL (125–175 nmol/L)
• Red flag: Below 30 ng/mL, or below 40 ng/mL with any autoimmune or inflammatory condition

A 2024 VITAL trial follow-up showed that maintaining vitamin D above 50 ng/mL was associated with 13% lower cancer mortality and 17% lower cardiovascular mortality over 10 years. For supplementation strategies and dosing, see vitamin D, longevity, and biological age.

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Tier 2: The expanded panel

Once you have your Tier 1 baseline established, these 8 additional markers deepen your understanding of cardiovascular risk, methylation status, iron metabolism, and immune function. Together, Tiers 1 and 2 form a robust longevity panel suitable for most adults over 35.

11. ApoB (apolipoprotein B)

ApoB is replacing LDL cholesterol as the gold standard for cardiovascular risk assessment. Every atherogenic lipoprotein particle — LDL, VLDL, Lp(a), IDL — carries exactly one ApoB molecule, making it a direct count of the particles driving atherosclerosis. LDL cholesterol, by contrast, measures the cholesterol content of LDL particles, which can be misleadingly normal when particle count is high.

• Standard range: 40–130 mg/dL
• Longevity optimal: < 80 mg/dL (< 60 mg/dL if high risk)
• Red flag: Above 100 mg/dL, especially with family history of early cardiovascular disease

Peter Attia, among other longevity physicians, has called ApoB “the single most important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.” Our detailed guide: ApoB, cardiovascular risk, and arterial health.

12. Triglyceride/HDL ratio

This simple calculated ratio is one of the best surrogate markers for insulin resistance and metabolic health. It outperforms standard lipid panels in predicting cardiovascular events and correlates strongly with small dense LDL particle count and visceral adiposity.

• Longevity optimal: < 1.0 (mg/dL units) or < 0.44 (mmol/L units)
• Acceptable: 1.0–2.0
• Red flag: Above 2.0 strongly suggests insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction

This ratio is free — it requires no additional testing beyond a standard lipid panel. The full interpretation guide is here: triglyceride-to-HDL ratio and metabolic health.

13. Homocysteine

Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid whose elevation signals impaired methylation — one of the most fundamental biochemical processes in DNA repair, gene expression, detoxification, and neurotransmitter synthesis. Elevated homocysteine is independently associated with cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, bone fractures, and accelerated biological aging.

• Standard range: 5–15 μmol/L
• Longevity optimal: 6–9 μmol/L
• Red flag: Above 12 μmol/L, or above 10 μmol/L with MTHFR variants

Homocysteine is highly modifiable through B-vitamin optimization (B12, folate, B6). In many cases, a simple supplement protocol reduces levels by 30–50% within 8 weeks. Our comprehensive guide: homocysteine, methylation, and the aging biomarker.

14. Vitamin B12

B12 deficiency is common (especially in those over 50 or following plant-based diets), underdiagnosed, and has devastating consequences for neurological function, methylation capacity, and red blood cell production. It is also one of the most modifiable deficiencies.

• Standard range: 200–900 pg/mL (148–664 pmol/L)
• Longevity optimal: 500–800 pg/mL (370–590 pmol/L)
• Red flag: Below 400 pg/mL, especially with elevated homocysteine or MCV

Many people with B12 “within range” at 250–350 pg/mL are functionally deficient. The standard lower limit of 200 pg/mL is far too low — neurological damage can begin at levels below 400 pg/mL. See vitamin B12 deficiency and aging.

15. Ferritin

Ferritin measures your body’s iron stores, and both extremes — too low and too high — accelerate aging through distinct mechanisms. Iron deficiency impairs oxygen delivery, energy production, and immune function. Iron excess drives oxidative damage through Fenton chemistry, generating hydroxyl radicals that damage DNA, proteins, and lipid membranes.

• Standard range: 12–300 ng/mL (men), 12–150 ng/mL (women)
• Longevity optimal: 40–100 ng/mL (both sexes)
• Red flag: Above 200 ng/mL in men or post-menopausal women; below 30 ng/mL in anyone

Iron is one of the few nutrients where “more is better” does not apply. Ferritin above 200 ng/mL is associated with increased cancer risk, cardiovascular events, and liver damage — even in the absence of hereditary hemochromatosis. Read more: ferritin, iron storage, and aging.

16. NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio)

The NLR is a free, easily calculated ratio from a standard complete blood count (CBC) that serves as a powerful marker of systemic inflammation and immune balance. It reflects the interplay between innate immunity (neutrophils) and adaptive immunity (lymphocytes) — and its elevation predicts mortality across virtually every disease category.

• Calculated from: CBC differential (neutrophils / lymphocytes)
• Longevity optimal: 1.0–2.0
• Red flag: Persistently above 3.0 without acute infection

NLR above 3.0 has been associated with a 2–3x increase in all-cause mortality in multiple large cohort studies. Like the TG/HDL ratio, it costs nothing extra and provides information not captured by any single marker alone. Full guide: NLR: the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and longevity.

17. Complete blood count (CBC)

The CBC is the backbone of blood work — measuring red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and differential white cell counts. For longevity, it provides essential data on oxygen-carrying capacity, immune function, and bone marrow health. Key longevity-relevant values include:

• Hemoglobin: Optimal 13.5–16.0 g/dL (men), 12.5–15.0 g/dL (women)
• MCV (mean corpuscular volume): Optimal 82–92 fL (elevated MCV can indicate B12/folate deficiency)
• WBC (white blood cells): Optimal 4.0–6.5 × 10³/μL (elevated WBC predicts cardiovascular events)
• Platelets: Optimal 150–300 × 10³/μL

18. Thyroid panel (TSH + free T4)

Thyroid function quietly governs metabolic rate, body temperature, cognitive speed, heart rate, and cholesterol metabolism. Subclinical thyroid dysfunction is extremely common (especially in women over 40) and accelerates aging through multiple pathways.

• TSH longevity optimal: 0.5–2.5 mIU/L (not 0.5–4.5)
• Free T4 longevity optimal: mid-range of lab reference
• Red flag: TSH above 3.0, especially with fatigue, cold intolerance, or rising cholesterol

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Tier 3: The comprehensive longevity panel

These 6 advanced markers are for individuals committed to a thorough longevity strategy. They require specific ordering (not part of standard panels) but provide critical information about cardiovascular risk, hormonal status, and aging rate.

19. Lp(a) — lipoprotein(a)

Lp(a) is a genetically determined lipoprotein that dramatically increases cardiovascular and aortic stenosis risk. It only needs to be tested once (levels are 90%+ genetically determined and do not change with lifestyle), but that single test can reshape your entire cardiovascular strategy.

• Longevity optimal: < 30 nmol/L (< 14 mg/dL)
• Elevated risk: 30–75 nmol/L
• High risk: > 75 nmol/L (> 30 mg/dL)
• Test once in a lifetime — levels are genetically fixed

Approximately 20% of the global population has elevated Lp(a), and most do not know it. If you have elevated Lp(a), it changes target thresholds for ApoB and LDL — requiring more aggressive lipid management. See our full guide on who should get the Lp(a) test for detailed interpretation and next steps.

20. DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate)

DHEA-S is the most abundant steroid hormone in the body and declines predictably with age — about 2–3% per year after age 30. It serves as a precursor for both testosterone and estrogen, and its levels correlate with immune function, bone density, cognitive function, and overall vitality.

• Optimal range varies by age and sex — generally target upper-third for your age decade
• Red flag: Levels in the lower quartile for age, especially with fatigue, low mood, or reduced exercise tolerance

21. Testosterone (total + free)

Testosterone declines approximately 1–2% per year after age 30 in men and decreases after menopause in women. In both sexes, low testosterone is associated with sarcopenia, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, cognitive decline, and increased mortality.

• Men longevity optimal: Total 500–900 ng/dL, Free 15–25 pg/mL
• Women longevity optimal: Total 30–70 ng/dL, Free 1–5 pg/mL
• Red flag: Below lower-third of reference range with symptoms

22. IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1)

IGF-1 occupies a fascinating position in longevity science — the “Goldilocks zone” marker. Too high drives cancer risk through mTOR activation and cell proliferation. Too low impairs muscle maintenance, bone health, and cognitive function. The sweet spot appears to be mid-range.

• Longevity optimal: 100–180 ng/mL (age-adjusted)
• Red flag (too high): > 250 ng/mL, especially with cancer family history
• Red flag (too low): < 80 ng/mL, especially with muscle wasting or cognitive decline

23. Cystatin C

Cystatin C is a more accurate marker of kidney function than creatinine because it is not affected by muscle mass, diet, or exercise. It provides a truer eGFR calculation, which is particularly important for athletes, elderly individuals, and anyone with unusual body composition. If your lab shows cystatin C high with normal creatinine, interpret it as a discordant marker pattern that needs repeat testing, combined eGFR, and urine albumin context.

• Standard range: 0.53–0.95 mg/L
• Longevity optimal: 0.55–0.85 mg/L
• Red flag: Above 1.0 mg/L, or rapidly rising trend

24. Omega-3 Index

The Omega-3 Index measures the percentage of EPA and DHA in red blood cell membranes, reflecting long-term omega-3 status (previous 3 months). It is one of the most modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and correlates with reduced inflammation, improved brain health, and lower all-cause mortality.

• Standard range: Not routinely reported
• Longevity optimal: 8–12%
• Red flag: Below 4% (most Americans are in this range)

The Framingham Heart Study offspring cohort found that individuals in the top quintile of Omega-3 Index lived an average of 4.7 years longer than those in the bottom quintile — a magnitude of benefit comparable to quitting smoking.

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How to calculate your biological age from blood work

The ultimate value of longevity blood work goes beyond individual markers — it is the ability to calculate your biological age and track it over time. Several validated algorithms transform routine blood tests into a single number that predicts mortality and disease risk better than chronological age.

PhenoAge

Developed by Morgan Levine at Yale in 2018, PhenoAge uses 9 blood biomarkers (albumin, creatinine, glucose, hs-CRP, lymphocyte percentage, mean cell volume, red blood cell distribution width, alkaline phosphatase, and white blood cell count) plus chronological age to calculate phenotypic age. It is the most widely validated blood-based aging clock.

A PhenoAge 5 years younger than your chronological age means your body functions like someone 5 years younger — and your disease and mortality risk match that younger age. For the complete methodology, formulas, and interpretation, read our deep dive: PhenoAge and KDM: how to calculate your biological age from blood tests.

What to do with the result

If your biological age is older than your chronological age, the priority interventions are clear — and they work. A landmark Columbia University study demonstrated that adopting evidence-based lifestyle changes can reduce biological age by over 6 years. The full roadmap is in our guide: how to lower biological age: 8 science-based strategies to rejuvenate.

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Practical steps to build your panel

Step 1: Start with Tier 1

Order the 10 basic markers through your primary care physician or a direct-to-consumer lab. Most of these are included in a standard metabolic panel + CBC + vitamin D + hs-CRP + fasting insulin + HbA1c. Total out-of-pocket cost: typically $100–200 without insurance.

Step 2: Add Tier 2 based on your profile

If you are over 35, have any metabolic risk factors (overweight, family history of diabetes or heart disease, sedentary lifestyle), or are actively optimizing for longevity, add Tier 2 markers. This adds ApoB, ferritin, homocysteine, B12, NLR, and thyroid. Additional cost: roughly $100–150.

Step 3: Add Tier 3 for comprehensive tracking

If you are serious about longevity optimization, the Tier 3 markers (Lp(a), DHEA-S, testosterone, IGF-1, cystatin C, Omega-3 Index) provide the most complete picture. Lp(a) only needs to be tested once. Additional cost: approximately $150–300.

Step 4: Track trends over time

The real power of blood work is longitudinal tracking. Single snapshots are useful; multi-year trends are transformative. Record every result, note the date, conditions, and any interventions you were running. After 2–3 data points, patterns emerge that no single test can reveal.

For a detailed testing schedule and cost optimization strategies, see blood tests for longevity: the optimal panel and how often to test.

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Complete biomarker reference table

Here is every marker from all three tiers in one table for quick reference:

#	Biomarker	Longevity optimal	Key concern when out of range
1	Fasting glucose	72–85 mg/dL	Insulin resistance, glycation
2	HbA1c	4.8–5.2%	Chronic hyperglycemia, tissue glycation
3	Fasting insulin	2–6 μIU/mL	Insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome
4	hs-CRP	< 0.5 mg/L	Chronic inflammation, inflammaging
5	Albumin	4.3–5.0 g/dL	Liver function, nutritional status, aging rate
6	Creatinine/eGFR	eGFR > 90	Kidney function decline
7	AST/ALT	AST 15–25, ALT 10–25 U/L	Liver disease, metabolic stress
8	GGT	< 25 U/L (M), < 18 (F)	Oxidative stress, glutathione depletion
9	Urea (BUN)	10–18 mg/dL	Kidney function, protein metabolism
10	Vitamin D	50–70 ng/mL	Immune, bone, cardiovascular, cancer risk
11	ApoB	< 80 mg/dL	Atherogenic particle burden
12	TG/HDL ratio	< 1.0	Insulin resistance, small dense LDL
13	Homocysteine	6–9 μmol/L	Impaired methylation, cardiovascular risk
14	Vitamin B12	500–800 pg/mL	Neurological damage, methylation failure
15	Ferritin	40–100 ng/mL	Iron excess (oxidative) or deficiency (anemia)
16	NLR	1.0–2.0	Systemic inflammation, immune imbalance
17	CBC	See individual values	Anemia, infection, bone marrow health
18	TSH	0.5–2.5 mIU/L	Thyroid dysfunction, metabolic slowdown
19	Lp(a)	< 30 nmol/L	Genetic cardiovascular risk
20	DHEA-S	Upper third for age	Hormonal aging, vitality
21	Testosterone	See sex-specific ranges	Sarcopenia, metabolic syndrome
22	IGF-1	100–180 ng/mL	Cancer risk (high) or muscle loss (low)
23	Cystatin C	0.55–0.85 mg/L	True kidney function
24	Omega-3 Index	8–12%	Cardiovascular risk, inflammation

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How SuperAge tracks your blood work

SuperAge turns your blood work from a pile of confusing numbers into a clear, actionable longevity dashboard.

Blood biomarker tracking. Enter your lab results directly into the app. SuperAge displays each value against longevity-optimal ranges — not just conventional reference ranges — so you can instantly see where you stand and where to focus.

Biological age calculation. Using the PhenoAge algorithm, SuperAge calculates your biological age from your blood work. Track it over time to see whether your interventions are actually working to slow or reverse your aging rate.

Trend analysis. SuperAge visualizes your biomarker trends across multiple tests, highlighting improvements and areas of concern. A declining albumin or rising fasting insulin becomes impossible to miss when plotted over 6–12 months.

Integration with wearable data. Blood work tells you what is happening inside your body. Wearable data (HRV, sleep, activity, SpO2) tells you what is happening day to day. SuperAge combines both data streams to give you the most complete picture of your biological age and aging trajectory available.

Personalized recommendations. Based on your specific biomarker profile, SuperAge provides targeted recommendations — from diet and exercise modifications to supplement suggestions and retesting schedules.

Download SuperAge (App Store) to track blood biomarkers, Apple Watch data, and biological age trends in one place.

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FAQ

Do I need a doctor to order these tests?

In many countries and US states, you can order blood work directly through consumer labs (e.g., Quest, Labcorp, Life Extension, Ulta Lab Tests) without a physician’s order. However, involving a knowledgeable physician — particularly one trained in longevity medicine — adds significant value in interpretation and intervention planning.

How much does a comprehensive longevity panel cost?

A full Tier 1 + Tier 2 panel typically costs $200–350 through direct-to-consumer labs. Adding Tier 3 markers brings the total to roughly $400–600. Many longevity-focused physicians offer bundled panels at a discount. Insurance increasingly covers many of these markers if ordered by a physician with appropriate diagnostic codes.

Should I stop supplements before testing?

Yes, for certain markers. Stop biotin supplements 48 hours before testing (biotin interferes with many immunoassays). For vitamin D and B12, test while on your normal supplementation to see if your current regimen is achieving target levels. For iron/ferritin, avoid iron supplements for 24 hours before testing.

What time of day should I test?

Morning, after a 12–14 hour fast, before 10 AM if possible. Cortisol, testosterone, and insulin all have circadian variation — morning testing ensures consistency across serial measurements. Avoid intense exercise in the 48 hours before testing, as this can transiently affect inflammatory markers, liver enzymes, and creatine kinase.

How do I know if my results are improving?

Track the same markers under the same conditions at regular intervals. A statistically meaningful trend requires at least 3 data points. Focus on the direction and rate of change rather than any single value. SuperAge’s trend visualization makes this analysis automatic.

Can blood work really predict how fast I’m aging?

Yes. The PhenoAge algorithm, validated in multiple cohorts totaling over 50,000 individuals, predicts all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, and cancer risk more accurately than chronological age. When combined with epigenetic clocks (which require a separate methylation test), blood-based aging algorithms provide a robust and actionable measure of your biological aging rate.

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References

1. Levine ME, et al. An epigenetic biomarker of aging for lifespan and healthspan. Aging. 2018. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101414
2. Ridker PM, et al. Antiinflammatory therapy with canakinumab for atherosclerotic disease. New England Journal of Medicine. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1707914
3. Harris WS, et al. Blood n-3 fatty acid levels and total and cause-specific mortality from 17 prospective studies. Nature Communications. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22370-2
4. Manson JE, et al. Vitamin D supplements and prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease. New England Journal of Medicine. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1809944
5. Moqri M, et al. Biomarkers of aging for the identification and evaluation of longevity interventions. Cell. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2023.08.003
6. Perri G, et al. An Expert Consensus Statement on Biomarkers of Aging for Use in Intervention Studies. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glae297