What is longevity testing?
Longevity testing is a type of health assessment that analyses key biomarkers in your body to estimate your potential health span and lifespan. It goes beyond a traditional health check by identifying biological signs of ageing, inflammation, disease risk and lifestyle factors that may influence how well and how long you live.
Unlike DNA testing, which gives you a fixed view of genetic predispositions, longevity testing provides a dynamic snapshot of your current biological health and future health risks. It offers valuable insights that can help you take control of your wellbeing and adopt habits that may increase both the length and quality of your life.
In this guide, we’ll explain what’s involved in longevity testing, which biomarkers are commonly measured and how the results can help you take a proactive approach to your long-term health.
What does longevity mean?
The term "longevity" generally refers to a long life or the average length of time a person is expected to live. However, longevity testing focuses not only on lifespan but also on health span - how many years of life you are likely to enjoy in good health, free from serious illness or disability.
A person may live into their 80s or 90s, but their quality of life in later years often depends on factors like heart health, mobility, cognitive function and chronic disease risk. All of these can be influenced by lifestyle choices and monitored through the right medical testing.
What is included in a longevity test?
Longevity testing usually looks at a wide range of health markers to give you a clearer picture of how your body is doing and how well it’s likely to age. It’s more detailed than a regular health check and can highlight areas to focus on before any problems develop.
Depending on the package, your test might include checks for:
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Hidden inflammation that could affect your long-term health and energy
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Cholesterol and fat levels in your blood, which are linked to heart health
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Blood sugar control, measuring markers such as HbA1c to see how well your body manages sugar and your risk of developing diabetes
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Liver and kidney health, to make sure these vital organs are working properly
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Thyroid function, which can affect things like weight, mood and energy levels
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Vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin D, B12, iron and folate, which help keep your body functioning at its best
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Your biological age, which shows how your body is ageing compared to your actual age (included in some advanced tests)
Why is longevity testing useful?
A longevity test can help you take a more informed and personalised approach to health. Instead of waiting for symptoms or a diagnosis, it gives you early warning signs of potential problems and the opportunity to take action before they progress.
Here are just a few of the ways longevity testing can be useful:
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Spotting early signs of disease such as diabetes, high cholesterol or fatty liver
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Detecting inflammation - markers like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are often used to assess low-grade chronic inflammation linked to ageing and disease such as arthritis and dementia
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Identifying nutrient deficiencies which can affect everything from immune function to energy levels
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Assessing biological age to see if you are ageing faster or slower than expected based on lifestyle and health status
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Tracking progress if you are making changes to improve your health, longevity testing can measure their impact over time
What is biological age and why does it matter?
Biological age refers to how old your body seems based on various health markers, rather than how many years you’ve lived. It offers a better reflection of your current health and future risk than chronological age alone.
For example, someone who is 50 years old may have the cardiovascular health or metabolic profile of someone much younger or older depending on their lifestyle, diet, stress levels and medical history.
Longevity testing that estimates your biological age can motivate healthy behaviour change and help track improvements over time. Reducing your biological age through healthier habits may reduce your risk of age-related illnesses and improve your overall wellbeing.
What is the difference between longevity testing and a standard health check?
A standard health check usually looks at the basics, things like your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar, to check for any signs of common health problems.
Longevity testing includes all of this, but takes it a step further. It looks more closely at how your body is ageing and whether you might be at risk of future health issues, even if you feel well now.
As well as the usual checks, longevity testing may also look at things like:
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Signs of ongoing inflammation in the body, which can be linked to long-term health conditions
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Your hormone levels which affect energy, sleep and metabolism
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The type and quality of fats in your blood, not just how much cholesterol you have
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Your biological age, which may be different from your actual age
By looking at these extra markers, longevity testing gives you a bigger picture of your long-term health, helping you take action now to feel better for longer.
Who should consider longevity testing?
Longevity testing may be useful for anyone interested in improving their long-term health, particularly those who:
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Are over the age of 40
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Have a family history of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes or cancer
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Want to take a more preventative approach to ageing
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Are making lifestyle changes and want to track their impact
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Are interested in optimising performance, energy and resilience
You don’t need to be unwell to benefit. In fact, the value of longevity testing lies in its ability to spot hidden risks and guide positive health decisions before issues become serious.
Are there risks to longevity testing?
Longevity testing itself is low-risk and non-invasive, typically involving only a standard blood draw. However, it’s important to interpret the results with the support of a healthcare professional.
Some markers may appear out of range without indicating serious illness, especially if interpreted in isolation. It’s always best to view your results as part of the bigger picture, considering your lifestyle, symptoms and medical history.
Take a proactive approach to healthy ageing
If you’re keen to take control of your long-term health, longevity testing can offer valuable insights to support healthier living and ageing. By identifying risk factors early and tracking your biological age, you can make informed decisions to help extend your health span and improve your quality of life.
At Bluecrest Wellness, our advanced health assessment packages are designed to give you a detailed overview of your health status, including many of the key biomarkers involved in longevity testing. Whether you're looking to spot potential risks early, monitor changes over time or simply understand your health better, we can help you take the next step.
Our tests are available at locations across the UK, with fast results, accredited labs and expert GP support included.
Need help? Call free on
0800 652 2183 to speak to one of our team.
