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Basic Blood Tests for Longevity
The first step toward longevity is understanding the parameters or biomarkers that provide the most information about your health.
The following fifteen tests are recommended, covering markers related to the immune, hormonal, and cardiovascular systems, to establish a health baseline and repeat them at least every six months, primarily if you aim to prevent chronic diseases or halt the progression of an existing illness.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential
A complete blood count measures the concentrations of each component making up your blood, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This test also details the concentrations of individual red and white blood cell components, including hemoglobin, hematocrit, lymphocytes, and neutrophils. Many insights can be gleaned from a CBC, but the following are particularly useful as biomarkers of aging:
White blood cells help the body defend against infections by moving through the bloodstream and attacking bacteria or viruses. Elevated white blood cell count can detect autoimmune diseases, infections, and other blood disorders, while a low count may indicate immune deficiencies and chronic infections. Specifically, a low level of lymphocytes is associated with an increased risk of death due to cancers, respiratory diseases, infections, cardiovascular diseases, and other causes. White blood cell count decreases with age, leading to weakened immune responses.
Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) measures the size of your platelets, indicating how the bone marrow is functioning. MPV can help identify cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, nutrient deficiencies, and other chronic conditions.
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)
C-reactive protein, produced by the liver, indicates inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a key mechanism associated with many age-related diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, and dementia-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s. The hs-CRP test is more sensitive than the typical CRP test, as it detects fine inflammatory changes.
Lipid Profile
Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol provides an overall picture of cholesterol and indicates the total amount of cholesterol present in the body. However, it does not provide sufficient information about cardiovascular risk.
High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
HDL is known as “good” cholesterol in the blood. It carries about one-third to one-fourth of free cholesterol to the liver, where it starts to be removed. High levels of HDL can reduce the risk of heart disease and indicate good health. HDL levels should be above 60 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or at least 40 mg/dL.
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
LDL is known as “bad” cholesterol. It accumulates in the walls of arteries and can lead to atherosclerotic plaque, causing heart attacks or strokes. LDL levels should ideally be below 100 mg/dL.
Triglycerides
After eating, our body converts excess calories into triglycerides and stores them in fat cells. Triglycerides are an essential energy source for the body, but elevated levels can indicate that the body struggles with regulating blood sugar, absorbing fats, and digesting food.
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)
ApoB is the main protein in low-density lipoproteins (LDL), commonly known as “bad” cholesterol. The ApoB marker measures the amount of this protein on the surface of cholesterol and helps assess the degree of cardiovascular disease risk. High levels of ApoB are also strongly correlated with an increased risk of certain cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, heart diseases, and memory impairment.
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S)
DHEA-S, often called the “anti-aging hormone,” comes from cholesterol and is mainly converted into testosterone and estrogen in the adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes. DHEA-S is key in regulating heart rate, blood pressure, brain function, and more. DHEA-S increases bone density through its involvement in bone remineralization, reducing the risk of fractures. It activates immune mechanisms affecting immune system functions and modulates the inflammatory response. DHEA-S has also been shown to reduce the propensity for metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and obesity and improve skin elasticity. Its levels correlate with quality of life and have a stimulating effect on sexual activity. DHEA peaks around 20 years and decreases with age, affecting immune functions, wound healing, bone density, mood, and other symptoms and the development of age-related diseases.
Cortisol
Cortisol is a hormone produced and released by the adrenal glands that helps regulate many body functions such as stress response, cellular metabolism, glucose metabolism, inflammation development, and the sleep-wake cycle. Optimal daily variations in cortisol levels include a peak in blood concentration about 30-45 minutes after waking up and a decline around midnight. Chronic stress, uncontrolled inflammation, shift work, and metabolic disorders can disrupt this natural cycle, leading to daytime fatigue, insomnia, poor immunity, and accelerated aging.
Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c)
HbA1c assesses the average blood glucose concentration over the past two to three months and is commonly used to diagnose and monitor diabetes and prediabetes. Its values help understand the average blood glucose levels. Even in non-diabetics, a steady increase in HbA1c levels with age has been observed. A strong correlation has been shown between glycemic control and the biological aging process.
Uric Acid
Uric acid is a product of the breakdown of purines and organic nitrogen compounds and a component of many biologically important molecules, such as nucleic acid (DNA and RNA). It plays a vital role in the body as an antioxidant compound. Typically, uric acid is removed from the body by the kidneys. However, elevated uric acid levels in the blood (hyperuricemia) can lead to various health problems, such as gout. Elevated uric acid levels can also be associated with other conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, which are also related to the aging process.
Creatinine
Creatinine is a product of creatine breakdown in muscles and is regularly removed from the blood by the kidneys as a waste product. Blood creatinine concentration is often used as an indicator of kidney function. As one age, kidney function can deteriorate, even if an older person is not diagnosed with kidney disease. High blood pressure and diabetes can accelerate kidney damage. Declining kidney function can lead to increased blood creatinine levels.
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
ALT is primarily found in liver cells (hepatocytes) and, to a lesser extent, in the kidneys, heart muscle, and skeletal muscles. ALT is a more specific indicator of liver damage than AST. It increases even with minimal liver damage before symptoms and signs of disease appear. Elevated ALT values can indicate metabolic disorders leading to fatty liver disease.
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
AST is an enzyme involved in converting amino acids and is present in many body tissues, especially the liver and heart. Elevated AST levels in the blood can indicate liver or other tissue damage, such as the heart.
Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
GGT is an enzyme primarily produced by the liver and is known as a sensitive indicator of liver and bile duct diseases and injuries. However, it is much more than just a liver enzyme. Elevated GGT levels are associated with an increased risk of many conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, stroke, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, fatty liver disease, and overall mortality. It is believed that at least part of this is associated with low levels of glutathione, the body’s main antioxidant.
