Biomarker Testing Service
A biomarker testing service provides structured blood or bodily fluid tests to measure health-relevant biological markers. Services typically offer themed panels (e.g., cardiovascular risk, hormones, nutrition, or longevity) and deliver results digitally with basic interpretation.
Relevance to Longevity
Biomarker testing supports longevity by enabling:
- Early detection of dysfunction (e.g., dyslipidemia, inflammation, thyroid imbalance)
- Objective monitoring of lifestyle or clinical interventions over time
- Trend analysis against personal baselines rather than one-off values
- Risk stratification that can inform preventive actions
Examples of Services (non-exhaustive)
- Home kit providers offering finger-prick or venous sampling with online dashboards
- Pharmacy-linked services working with local labs and appointment scheduling
- Longevity/medical clinics providing extended panels (multi-omics, epigenetic clocks)
Common Biomarker Categories
- Metabolic & Blood Chemistry — glucose, HbA1c, insulin, lipid panels
- Organ Function — liver enzymes (ALT/GPT, AST/GOT, GGT), kidney markers (creatinine, eGFR)
- Hormones — sex hormones (testosterone, estradiol, progesterone), thyroid hormones (TSH, fT3, fT4), adrenal markers (DHEAS)
- Vitamins & Micronutrients — vitamin D, B-complex (B12, folate), iron, zinc, selenium, magnesium
- Immune & Inflammation — differential blood counts, hs-CRP, IgG
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids — EPA, DHA, omega-3 index
Practical Considerations
- Baseline & frequency: establish a baseline and repeat at sensible intervals to capture trends.
- Context matters: age, sex, medication, comorbidities, and lifestyle influence interpretation.
- Quality & accreditation: prefer laboratories with recognized standards (e.g., ISO 15189/CLIA).
- Cost & access: pricing varies from single markers to comprehensive panels; insurance coverage is often limited.
Limitations
- Testing alone does not improve outcomes — action must follow results.
- Some markers show high biological variability or limited evidence for outcome prediction.
- Over-testing may lead to false positives, anxiety, or unnecessary interventions.