What Blood Tests Show Aging?

Quick Answer

Biological age blood tests include PhenoAge (9 biomarkers), inflammatory aging markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α), metabolic aging (HbA1c, insulin), hormonal aging (testosterone, estradiol), and cellular aging (telomere length). These measure how fast you're actually aging versus your chronological age.

Key Blood Biomarkers for Aging

PhenoAge Biomarkers

Most validated aging test using 9 blood markers

  • Albumin - protein synthesis and nutrition
  • Creatinine - kidney function
  • Glucose - metabolic health
  • C-reactive protein - inflammation
  • Lymphocyte % - immune function
  • Mean cell volume - red blood cell health
  • RDW - red cell distribution width
  • Alkaline phosphatase - liver/bone function
  • White blood cell count - immune status

Inflammatory Aging (Inflammaging)

Chronic inflammation is the hallmark of aging

  • C-reactive protein (CRP) - general inflammation marker
  • Interleukin-6 (IL-6) - pro-inflammatory cytokine
  • TNF-alpha - tumor necrosis factor
  • ESR - erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  • Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio - immune aging

Metabolic Aging

Metabolic dysfunction accelerates aging process

  • HbA1c - long-term glucose control
  • Insulin (fasting) - insulin resistance
  • HOMA-IR - insulin resistance calculation
  • Triglycerides - metabolic health
  • HDL cholesterol - protective lipid

Biological Age Testing Methods

PhenoAge Test

85-90% accuracy in predicting aging outcomes

  • • Cost: $200-400
  • • Accuracy: Very high
  • • Based on: 9 blood biomarkers
  • • Predicts: Mortality and disease risk

GrimAge Test

DNA methylation aging clock

  • • Cost: $300-600
  • • Accuracy: Highest available
  • • Based on: DNA methylation patterns
  • • Predicts: Lifespan and healthspan

Telomere Length

Cellular aging at chromosome level

  • • Cost: $150-300
  • • Accuracy: Moderate
  • • Based on: Chromosome telomere length
  • • Predicts: Cellular health and longevity

Hormonal Age

Endocrine system aging assessment

  • • Cost: $100-200
  • • Accuracy: Good for specific aspects
  • • Based on: Hormone levels
  • • Predicts: Vitality and function

How to Interpret Aging Test Results

Biological Age < Chronological

Aging Slowly

Your body is aging slower than average for your age

Biological Age = Chronological

Average Aging

You're aging at the expected rate for your age

Biological Age > Chronological

Aging Faster

Your body is aging faster than average

Test Your Biological Age

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