Longevity Blood Tests UK 2026: What to Measure and Why

A practical guide to biomarkers that track biological ageing, metabolic health and risk.

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TL;DR: Blood tests cannot prove your biological age, but they can reveal metabolic, inflammatory and cardiovascular risk. The most useful panels include HbA1c, lipid profile, CRP, vitamin D, homocysteine, TSH and possibly an epigenetic clock. Use them to track trends, not as single numbers.

🐢 Tortoise Wisdom"A good blood test tells you what needs attention today. It does not tell you how long you will live."

1. Core Metabolic Panel

  • HbA1c: average blood glucose over ~3 months; target generally below 42 mmol/mol for healthy ageing.
  • Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR: insulin resistance is a major ageing driver.
  • Lipid profile: LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, non-HDL-C.

2. Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

  • hs-CRP: marker of low-grade inflammation; lower is generally better.
  • Homocysteine: linked to cardiovascular and cognitive risk; often correctable with B vitamins.

3. Hormones and Nutrients

  • Vitamin D: important for bone, muscle and immune function.
  • TSH: thyroid function affects metabolism, mood and energy.
  • Testosterone / oestradiol: relevant for some people, but hormone replacement is not a universal anti-ageing strategy.

4. Epigenetic Clocks

Tests like DunedinPACE, GrimAge and PhenoAge estimate biological age from DNA methylation. They are interesting research tools but have limited clinical utility. Repeating the same test over time can show trends.

5. Where to Test in the UK

  • NHS GP — basic panels if you have symptoms or risk factors.
  • Private labs — Medichecks, Forth, Blue Horizon and others offer longevity-focused panels.
  • Direct-to-consumer kits — convenient but variable quality; ensure they use accredited labs.