The Longevity Blueprint

Full Blood Count: Assesses red and white blood cells and platelets, providing a broad picture of overall health, immune function, and haematological status. Detects conditions including anaemia, infection, and blood disorders.

Fasting Glucose: Measures blood sugar at the time of collection to assess how the body is handling glucose in a fasted state. The foundational marker for metabolic health assessment.

Fasting Insulin: Measures insulin levels in a fasted state. Elevated fasting insulin is one of the earliest detectable signs of insulin resistance, often appearing years before glucose or HbA1c move outside normal ranges.

HbA1c: Reflects average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months, used to assess long-term glucose control, diabetes risk, and the cumulative metabolic burden on the cardiovascular system.

HOMA-IR: A calculated index derived from fasting glucose and fasting insulin that quantifies insulin resistance and gives a single, actionable number representing how effectively the body is responding to insulin.

Lipid Studies (Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides): Evaluates cholesterol and fat levels in the blood to assess cardiovascular health and long-term heart disease risk. Forms the foundation of cardiovascular risk profiling.

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): Measures the number of atherogenic lipid particles in the blood and is considered one of the most accurate predictors of cardiovascular risk available, more precise than standard LDL alone.

Apolipoprotein A (ApoA-1): The primary protein component of HDL. Higher levels are associated with greater cardiovascular protection, and the ApoB to ApoA-1 ratio is a powerful indicator of long-term arterial disease risk.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]: An independent and largely genetically determined cardiovascular risk factor not captured by standard lipid testing. Important to know as a fixed component of personal cardiovascular risk.

Homocysteine: An amino acid associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cognitive decline when elevated. Influenced by B-vitamin status, genetics, and kidney function, and often raised without symptoms.

High Sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP): A highly sensitive marker of systemic inflammation capable of detecting low-level inflammation associated with early cardiovascular risk, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic disease.

Liver Function Tests (LFTs): Assess enzymes and proteins that reflect liver health, including the impact of diet, alcohol, medications, and metabolic conditions such as fatty liver disease.

Kidney Function (EUC/eGFR): Measures waste products and electrolytes to assess kidney health, hydration status, and fluid balance. Kidney function is a significant amplifier of cardiovascular risk.

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): The primary screening marker for thyroid function. Abnormal TSH can indicate underactive or overactive thyroid, both of which affect metabolism, energy, and cardiovascular health.

Free T3: The active form of thyroid hormone at the cellular level. Assessing Free T3 alongside TSH provides a more complete picture of thyroid function and its effects on metabolism and energy.

Free T4: The main hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Measured alongside TSH and Free T3 to give a full picture of thyroid output and conversion efficiency.

Thyroid Antibodies (TPOAb, TGAb): Detects immune activity directed against the thyroid gland. Elevated antibodies can indicate Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease, often years before thyroid hormone levels shift outside the normal range.

Total Testosterone: Measures the total amount of testosterone in the blood, relevant to energy, muscle mass, libido, mood, and overall hormonal health in both men and women.

Free Testosterone: Reflects the biologically active portion of testosterone available to cells and tissues, offering a more precise picture of hormonal status than total testosterone alone.

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG): A protein that binds to sex hormones and regulates how much testosterone and oestrogen are freely available. Levels directly influence hormonal activity and are an important variable in understanding hormonal health.

Oestradiol (E2): The primary and most biologically active form of oestrogen. Relevant for women assessing hormonal balance, cycle health, and menopause status, and for men where elevated levels can affect mood, body composition, and sexual health.

Progesterone: A key reproductive hormone involved in cycle regulation, fertility, and hormonal balance. Assessed as part of a complete sex hormone profile in both men and women.

Luteinising Hormone (LH): A pituitary hormone that regulates testosterone production in men and plays a key role in ovulation and cycle regulation in women. Provides insight into pituitary-gonadal axis function.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): A pituitary hormone involved in sperm production in men and follicle development and ovarian reserve in women. An important marker for reproductive health and hormonal axis assessment.

DHEAS (Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate): An adrenal precursor hormone to testosterone and oestrogen. Reflects adrenal reserve and naturally declines with age, making it a useful marker in longevity assessment.

Cortisol: The body’s primary stress hormone. Influences energy levels, immune response, blood sugar regulation, sleep quality, and body composition. Chronically elevated or suppressed cortisol affects almost every system in the body.

Prolactin: A hormone produced by the pituitary gland. Elevated levels can affect libido, reproductive health, menstrual regularity, and mood, and may indicate pituitary dysfunction.

IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1): Reflects overall growth hormone activity and is relevant to recovery, muscle maintenance, metabolic health, and cellular repair — all central to longevity assessment.

Growth Hormone: Assesses growth hormone output directly, providing insight into pituitary function, recovery capacity, fat metabolism, and musculoskeletal health.

Iron Studies with Ferritin: Assess iron levels, iron storage, and binding capacity, helping identify iron deficiency or overload. Ferritin also functions as a marker of inflammation and metabolic stress.

Vitamin D: Assesses vitamin D status, which is important for bone density, immune regulation, muscle function, cardiovascular health, and mood. Deficiency is common and often undetected.

Vitamin B12: Essential for nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis. Deficiency can cause fatigue, cognitive changes, and neurological symptoms, and is common in older adults and those on certain medications.

Folate: A B-vitamin involved in DNA synthesis, cell division, and homocysteine metabolism. Low folate is associated with anaemia, cognitive decline, and elevated cardiovascular risk.

Zinc: An essential trace mineral involved in immune defence, testosterone production, wound healing, and enzyme function. Deficiency is common and affects multiple body systems simultaneously.

Magnesium: Involved in over 300 enzymatic processes including muscle function, nerve activity, energy production, and blood sugar regulation. Frequently suboptimal in modern diets.

Calcium: Essential for bone health, muscle contraction, nerve signalling, and cardiac function. Assessed as part of overall metabolic and bone health.

Phosphate: Plays a role in bone mineralisation, energy metabolism, and cellular function. Imbalances can reflect metabolic or kidney disorders.

Selenium: A trace mineral with antioxidant properties involved in thyroid hormone metabolism, immune function, and protection against oxidative stress. Deficiency can impair thyroid function and immune defence.

Uric Acid: Measures uric acid levels in the blood. Elevated levels are associated with gout, insulin resistance, hypertension, and increased cardiovascular risk, and can be influenced by diet and kidney function.

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH): A general marker of tissue turnover or cell injury. Can rise with inflammation, muscle strain, illness, or organ stress, and serves as a broad indicator of cellular health.

PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen): A protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated levels may indicate prostate enlargement, inflammation, or prostate cancer. Included for male patients as part of a comprehensive health screen.

CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen): A tumour-associated marker used in screening and monitoring for several cancers including colorectal, lung, and breast. Elevated levels warrant further investigation.

AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein): A protein produced primarily by the liver and relevant to screening for liver cancer and, in men, testicular cancer. Used as a general tumour marker in a comprehensive screening context.

CA19-9: A tumour marker associated with pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers. Included as part of a broad early detection screen for those seeking comprehensive cancer risk awareness.