Longevity Tests in the UK Compared (2026): Blood Tests, Biological Age and Memberships
Updated: 1 day ago
There is no single "longevity test". In the UK you can buy three different things: a blood biomarker panel, a biological-age test that estimates how your body is ageing, or an assessment or membership that adds clinician time and follow-up. On 18 October 2026, the blood-based checks I compared below cost between £179 and £416, while monthly longevity memberships cost considerably more over a year. Established blood markers such as ApoB, Lp(a) and HbA1c have clearer clinical uses than biological-age scores. This guide compares named UK options, explains what the markers measure and shows where your money goes.
AT A GLANCE
Decide what question you want answered before you compare prices.
A larger marker count is not the same as a more useful test; many "biomarkers" are ratios or calculations.
Cardiovascular and metabolic markers have the clearest links to decisions you and your GP can make.
Biological-age tests are research-grade tools. Their numbers can vary between repeat tests and between methods.
Check what happens after the result: who explains it, and who acts if something is abnormal.
A note on interest: Juvenology offers longevity memberships and Muhdo epigenetic testing, so I have a commercial stake in this topic. I have listed our prices alongside other providers' and compared every service on what it includes, using each provider's own published information.
WHAT COUNTS AS A LONGEVITY TEST?
"Longevity" is a marketing category rather than a medical one. Services sold under that label usually fall into three groups, and they answer different questions.
Blood biomarker panels measure substances in your blood that are linked to the health of your heart, blood vessels, metabolism, liver, kidneys, blood cells and hormones. Most of these are the same tests a GP or hospital laboratory would use. The longevity element is mainly in which markers are chosen and how often they are repeated.
Biological-age tests apply an algorithm to biological data, usually patterns of chemical tags on DNA called methylation, or sugar structures on antibodies called glycans. The result is an estimate, expressed in years or as a pace of ageing. These tests are built from population research and are not used to diagnose disease.
Assessments, scans and memberships combine testing with time: a consultation, physical measurements, sometimes imaging, and in a membership, repeated reviews over months. Here you are paying as much for interpretation and follow-up as for the tests themselves.
The UK National Screening Committee, which advises the NHS on screening, points out that commercial screening often provides only a test, leaving the individual to arrange advice, further investigation or treatment if something abnormal turns up. It also notes that screening produces false alarms, false reassurance and uncertain findings, and that anyone with symptoms should see their GP rather than rely on a screening test. [1] That framing is useful whichever type of service you choose.
START WITH WHAT YOU MAY ALREADY BE OFFERED FREE
If you live in England, are aged 40 to 74 and do not already have certain heart, kidney or blood vessel conditions, you should be invited for an NHS Health Check every five years. It includes your blood pressure, height, weight and waist, a cholesterol test and possibly a blood sugar test, and it gives you a 10-year cardiovascular risk score. [2]
That check will not include ApoB, Lp(a) or a biological-age estimate. It does cover several of the measurements with the strongest evidence behind them, so it is worth booking before you pay for anything that duplicates it. If you have symptoms, a family history of early heart disease or a known condition, your GP is the right starting point; some of the markers discussed below can be requested on the NHS when there is a clinical reason.
THE BIOMARKERS THAT MATTER MOST, AND WHY
The markers below appear on most UK longevity panels. For each, the useful questions are: what does it measure, how good is the evidence, and what would you do differently with the result?
HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS: CHOLESTEROL, APOB AND LP(A)
A standard lipid profile reports total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. NICE guidance on cardiovascular risk uses a full lipid profile, including non-HDL cholesterol, alongside the QRISK3 risk calculator for adults aged 25 to 84, and does not require a fasting sample. [3] Non-HDL cholesterol is total cholesterol minus HDL; it captures all the cholesterol carried in potentially harmful particles, not only LDL.
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) takes a different approach. Every particle that can carry cholesterol into an artery wall, including LDL, VLDL and Lp(a), contains one ApoB molecule. Measuring ApoB therefore estimates the number of these particles rather than the amount of cholesterol inside them. A 2019 review in JAMA Cardiology concluded that ApoB reflects the risk from these particles more accurately than LDL or non-HDL cholesterol. [4] In practice ApoB adds most when cholesterol results and particle numbers may diverge, for example when triglycerides are raised. NICE risk assessment does not depend on it, so treat it as a refinement rather than a replacement for the standard profile.
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is an LDL-like particle with an extra protein attached. Its level is largely inherited and is not reliably lowered by diet or exercise. HEART UK's consensus statement recommends measuring Lp(a) in adults with a personal or family history of premature cardiovascular disease, relatives with very high Lp(a), familial hypercholesterolaemia, calcific aortic valve narrowing, or a borderline 10-year risk score. [5] Because it is largely genetic, a single measurement is usually informative, which makes it one of the better-value add-ons for people in those groups.
BLOOD SUGAR AND INSULIN RESISTANCE: HBA1C, GLUCOSE AND INSULIN
HbA1c reflects your average blood sugar over roughly the previous two to three months. In NHS laboratories, a result of 42 to 47 mmol/mol indicates a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, often described as non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, and 48 mmol/mol or above is in the diabetes range. [6] HbA1c is one of the most actionable markers on any panel because those thresholds link directly to NHS prevention and diagnosis pathways.
Fasting glucose is a snapshot of blood sugar at one moment. Fasting insulin, and the HOMA-IR score calculated from insulin and glucose, are sometimes promoted as early signs of insulin resistance. They can add context, but insulin results vary with fasting, recent exercise and laboratory method, and there is no single agreed UK cut-off for using them to guide routine decisions. A borderline insulin result is a reason for a conversation, not a diagnosis.
INFLAMMATION: HS-CRP
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) detects low levels of inflammation that may relate to cardiovascular risk. Its weakness is that it rises with almost any recent infection, injury, hard training session or flare of an inflammatory condition. One raised result is best repeated when you are well before drawing conclusions, and a normal result does not cancel out other risk factors.
LIVER AND KIDNEYS
Liver tests usually include ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin and albumin. A mildly raised ALT or GGT is common and can reflect alcohol, excess weight around the liver, medicines, supplements or recent exercise. Isolated abnormalities need interpreting with your history rather than in isolation.
Kidney tests include creatinine and eGFR, an estimate of how well the kidneys filter blood that is calculated from creatinine, age and sex. eGFR can read slightly low in muscular people or after a high-protein meal. A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, which looks for protein leaking into the urine, is often more informative for early kidney changes but appears on fewer consumer panels.
BLOOD COUNT, IRON AND VITAMINS
A full blood count checks red cells, white cells and platelets and can reveal anaemia or other blood changes. Ferritin reflects iron stores, but it also rises with inflammation, so a normal ferritin during illness can hide low iron. Vitamin B12 and folate matter for red cells and nerves, particularly if you eat little or no animal produce or take certain medicines. Vitamin D is widely tested, but before paying for it, ask whether the result would change what you do; if you would take a supplement in winter either way, the test may add little. None of these needs repeating every few months in someone who is well, unless a result was abnormal.
THYROID AND HORMONES
TSH and free T4 screen thyroid function. Testosterone, SHBG, oestradiol, FSH and LH describe sex hormones. Hormone results depend heavily on timing, age, sex, menstrual cycle stage, contraception, sleep and medicines. Testosterone, for example, is usually measured in the morning. Testing hormones without symptoms or a clear question often produces results that are hard to interpret, so these are best chosen with a clinician rather than added by default.
BIOMARKER GUIDE
Biomarker | What it measures | Clinical usefulness | Typical availability | Important limitation |
Total, HDL, LDL, non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides | Cholesterol and fats in the blood | Established; used in NICE risk assessment | NHS and most panels | Needs combining with blood pressure, smoking, age and other factors |
ApoB | Number of cholesterol-carrying particles | Refines risk, especially with raised triglycerides | Some private panels; NHS when clinically indicated | Not used in standard NICE risk scoring |
Lp(a) | Inherited LDL-like particle | Useful in specific groups (see HEART UK criteria) | Some private panels; single tests available | Lifestyle does not reliably lower it; units vary between labs |
HbA1c | Average blood sugar over 2 to 3 months | Established; defines diabetes risk categories | NHS and most panels | Affected by some blood conditions and recent blood loss |
Fasting insulin, HOMA-IR | Insulin output and estimated insulin resistance | Context only | Some private panels | No agreed UK threshold for routine decisions |
hs-CRP | Low-grade inflammation | Supporting information | Many private panels | Raised by infection, injury and exercise |
ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, albumin | Liver health | Established for detecting liver problems | NHS and most panels | Mild rises are common and often temporary |
Creatinine, eGFR | Kidney filtration | Established | NHS and most panels | Muscle mass and diet can shift results |
Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio | Protein leaking into urine | Established for kidney and vascular risk | Some panels with urine testing | Needs repeating to confirm |
Full blood count | Red cells, white cells, platelets | Established | NHS and most panels | Abnormal results need clinical follow-up |
Ferritin, iron studies | Iron stores and transport | Useful with symptoms or risk factors | Most panels | Ferritin rises with inflammation |
B12, folate | Vitamins needed for blood and nerves | Useful with diet or medicine risks | Most panels | Recent supplements distort results |
Vitamin D | Vitamin D status | Limited if you already supplement in winter | Most panels | Seasonal variation |
TSH, free T4 | Thyroid function | Useful with symptoms | Most panels | Biotin supplements can interfere |
Testosterone, SHBG, oestradiol, FSH, LH | Sex hormones | Depends on symptoms and life stage | Many panels | Timing, cycle stage and medicines matter |
Epigenetic age, pace of ageing | Algorithm output from DNA methylation | Research and tracking; not diagnostic | Specialist kits | Variation between tests and methods |
Glycan age | Algorithm output from antibody glycans | Research and tracking; not diagnostic | Specialist kits | Reflects inflammation-related biology only |
This table is a general guide. Reference ranges differ between laboratories, and what counts as a concerning result depends on your age, sex, history and medicines.
HOW TO READ A MARKER COUNT
Providers often lead with the number of biomarkers. That number tells you less than it seems.
Take the Medichecks Optimal Health Blood Test, which the provider describes as covering 59 biomarkers. [10] Several of those are calculated from other results on the same report: non-HDL cholesterol, three ratios, eGFR, globulin, a calculated free testosterone and a free androgen index. A full blood count alone contributes more than a dozen individual values. None of that makes the panel poor value; it simply means the headline number mixes direct measurements, calculations and sub-parts of a single test. Randox describes its Everyman and Everywoman checks as measuring up to 150 "data points", which include physical measurements and urinalysis alongside blood. [11]
A more useful comparison is to check whether a panel includes the specific markers that match your question, such as ApoB, Lp(a), HbA1c and kidney function, and whether a qualified person explains them.
UK LONGEVITY BLOOD TESTS COMPARED
The table compares named blood-based products from UK providers. Prices are those shown on each provider's website on 18 October 2026, before any discount codes. "Not publicly confirmed" means the information was not on the page I checked.
Product | Price (checked 18 Oct 2026) | Sample and collection | Selected markers | Interpretation included | Repeat testing |
Medichecks Optimal Health Blood Test [10] | £249 (a time-limited offer banner was showing); plus £35 clinic draw or £59 home nurse draw, or arrange your own | Venous blood | 59 listed, including ApoB, ApoA1, Lp(a), HbA1c, hs-CRP, lipids, liver, kidney, thyroid and antibodies, iron studies, B12, folate, vitamin D, sex hormones; no insulin | Written doctor's report | Buy again separately |
Medichecks Lipoprotein (a) Blood Test [10] | £59 | Venous blood | Lp(a) only | Doctor's comments: not publicly confirmed on the listing | Usually not needed |
Randox Everyman or Everywoman Complete [11] | £416 | In-clinic sample; fasting recommended | Up to 150 data points across heart, diabetes, liver, kidney, thyroid, hormones, nutrition, urinalysis; ApoB and Lp(a) not publicly confirmed | Discussion with a scientific adviser; remote GP consultation £65 extra | Second full round included about 6 months later |
Thriva Compass [12] | £360 a year | At-home blood kit | First test 33 markers, including ApoB, ApoA1, Lp(a), HbA1c, hs-CRP, lipids, kidney, liver, thyroid, ferritin, B12, folate, vitamin D, testosterone and SHBG | Doctor review and a video consultation after each test | Three tests a year; later tests are tailored to earlier results |
Bluecrest Active / Core / Complete [13] | £179 / £239 / £339 | In-person appointment with blood sample | 24, 36 and 37 blood readings plus 7 non-blood tests, including ECG and lung function; Lp(a) in Complete only | 24/7 GP helpline; private GP consultation in Complete | Buy again separately |
What the table cannot show. It does not compare laboratory quality directly, because each provider describes its laboratories differently and accreditation applies to specific tests at specific sites. It also cannot show how good each provider's explanations are, or how they handle an abnormal result. Use it to shortlist, then read each provider's terms.
A few points stand out. Thriva Compass and the Medichecks Optimal Health test both include ApoB and Lp(a), which many broader health checks do not list. Thriva spreads three tests over a year with a consultation after each, while Medichecks is a single, more extensive venous panel with a written report. Randox includes a second full round of testing, which suits people who want to see change over six months, but its page does not state whether ApoB or Lp(a) are included. Bluecrest adds non-blood measurements such as an ECG and a lung function check, and its top package includes a GP consultation and Lp(a).
WHAT "ACCREDITED LABORATORY" DOES AND DOES NOT TELL YOU
Most providers state that they use accredited laboratories. In the UK, medical laboratories are accredited by UKAS against the ISO 15189 standard, and UKAS publishes a schedule for each laboratory that lists exactly which tests the accreditation covers. Accreditation cannot be claimed for activities that are not on that schedule. [9] So "we use UKAS-accredited labs" is a reasonable sign of quality for routine tests, but it does not tell you whether a particular newer test, or the algorithm applied to its results, is covered. If this matters to you, ask the provider which laboratory runs your test and check its UKAS schedule.
BIOLOGICAL-AGE TESTS: WHAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY BUYING
Biological age is an estimate produced by applying a statistical model to biological data. Researchers build these models by finding patterns that track either chronological age or health outcomes such as illness and death across large groups of people. If you want the basics first, my guide to what biological age means explains the concept in more detail. Here I focus on what a test can and cannot do for the price.
THREE QUESTIONS TO ASK OF ANY BIOLOGICAL-AGE TEST
Analytical validity: does it measure reliably? If the same sample were tested twice, would you get the same answer? A study in Nature Aging found that technical noise caused six widely used epigenetic clocks to differ by up to nine years between repeat measurements of the same sample. The researchers developed adjusted versions that agreed within about 1.5 years for most replicates. [8] Ask which version of which clock a test uses and what repeat variation the provider has published.
Clinical validity: is the result linked to health outcomes? Some newer measures have been tested against real outcomes. DunedinPACE, a pace-of-ageing measure developed from a long-running New Zealand study, showed high test-retest reliability and was associated with illness, disability and death in the research datasets used to evaluate it. [7] That is meaningful evidence at population level. It does not mean that an individual score predicts your own lifespan.
Clinical utility: does using the result improve decisions or outcomes? This is where the evidence is weakest. There is not yet good evidence that acting on a biological-age result improves health more than acting on established measures such as blood pressure, cholesterol, HbA1c, activity and smoking status. A biological-age score may motivate change, which has value, but it is not a medical test.
WHY TWO TESTS CAN GIVE YOU TWO DIFFERENT AGES
Different tests measure different things. Epigenetic clocks read DNA methylation at selected sites. First-generation clocks were trained to predict chronological age; later ones, such as GrimAge and PhenoAge, were trained against health and mortality measures; DunedinPACE estimates how fast you are ageing now rather than how old you are. Glycan-based tests measure sugar structures on IgG antibodies, which are linked to inflammation. Telomere length, the protective ends of chromosomes, is another measure but varies considerably between individuals and methods. Each approach captures a different slice of biology, so results are not interchangeable.
BIOLOGICAL-AGE TESTS AVAILABLE TO UK BUYERS
Test | What it analyses | Sample | Price | Interpretation | Important limitation |
GlycanAge [16] | IgG antibody glycans, reported as a biological age and glycan indexes | At-home finger-prick kit | GBP price not publicly confirmed (the site showed US dollar pricing when checked) | One-to-one interpretation call included | Reflects inflammation-related biology only; the provider's stated ±1 year error margin is its own figure |
Muhdo test with results discussion at Juvenology [17] | Genetic and epigenetic markers, including a biological-age estimate, via the MuhdoHub app | Sample type not stated on the clinic page | £375 | Results discussion with me in person | Wellbeing guidance only; does not replace blood tests or medical checks |
TruDiagnostic TruAge COMPLETE | DNA methylation, with several clocks including DunedinPACE according to sellers' descriptions | Finger-prick blood spot | UK price not publicly confirmed by the manufacturer; sold through third-party UK sellers | Varies by seller | US-based laboratory; confirm delivery, data handling and support before buying |
I did not include some widely discussed brands because I could not confirm current UK availability or pricing from their own websites at the time of checking.
Who might reasonably buy one? Someone who already knows their blood pressure, lipids and HbA1c, has no symptoms they are trying to explain, and is curious about ageing research or wants an extra motivation measure. Who probably should not? Anyone looking for reassurance about a symptom, anyone whose basic cardiovascular and metabolic numbers are unknown, or anyone who would feel anxious about a number that may move by several years for technical reasons.
HEALTH ASSESSMENTS, SCANS AND MEMBERSHIPS
These services bundle tests with appointments, physical measurements and, in memberships, repeated reviews. They are not directly comparable, so the table below sets out what each includes rather than ranking them.
Service | Price (checked 18 Oct 2026) | What is included | Clinician access | Cost over 12 months |
Neko Health Scan [15] | £299 per scan | About one hour: skin imaging, ECG and heart assessment, blood pressure, circulation tests, body composition, on-site blood results including LDL and HDL cholesterol, HbA1c and inflammation markers | Clinician consultation at the visit; follow-ups and referral letters if advised | £299 for one scan; currently waitlist booking |
Bupa Be.Motivated [14] | £289 | One hour: body composition, heart and lung checks, diabetes and cholesterol blood tests, lifestyle review | Health adviser; a year of follow-up support | £289 |
Bupa Be.Reassured [14] | £929 | Two hours: up to 12 blood tests, diabetes risk check, targeted cancer screening | Up to an hour with a GP | £929 |
Bupa Be.Healthy at Home / Plus [14] | £229 / £319 | Remote assessment with home blood kit | Health adviser; Plus adds a 30-minute GP video call | £229 / £319 |
Juvenology Muhdo test with results discussion [17] | £375 | Muhdo testing kit, laboratory processing, app access and an in-person results discussion | In person with me | £375 |
Juvenology longevity membership [17] | Foundation £199, Optimised £349, Elite £599 a month | The clinic page describes blood testing, biological-age testing, a written plan and regular reviews, with more testing and support at higher levels | In person with me at every appointment | £2,388, £4,188 or £7,188 if paid for 12 months |
Reading this table fairly. A one-off scan or assessment gives a detailed snapshot. A membership costs more over a year because you are paying for repeated interpretation, planning and reviews, not just tests. The right comparison is between the total cost of everything you would actually use over a year, including any GP consultation or repeat test you would otherwise buy separately. Our own membership inclusions, minimum term and cancellation terms should be confirmed in writing before you join, as with any provider.
IS A MEMBERSHIP BETTER VALUE THAN BUYING TESTS YOURSELF?
Sometimes, but not automatically. A membership makes sense if you will use the reviews: if you are making changes and want someone to help you decide what to adjust, if you value seeing the same clinician, or if your results need regular monitoring. It makes less sense if you mainly want a baseline, if your results are likely to be normal, or if you would happily take a report to your GP.
A practical test: list the appointments and tests you expect to use in the next 12 months, price them individually, and compare that figure with the membership total. Then ask what the membership adds that you cannot buy separately, such as continuity, a written plan or faster access. Check the minimum term, joining fees, what happens if you pause, and whether repeat testing is automatic or agreed with you. Thriva, for example, publishes a refund scale that reduces after each test is taken. [12]
WHICH LONGEVITY TESTS ARE WORTH PAYING FOR?
Grouping tests by the strength of their evidence makes the choice clearer.
Established, and useful for most adults when not already known: a full lipid profile with non-HDL cholesterol, HbA1c, kidney function (creatinine and eGFR), liver tests and a full blood count, together with blood pressure, waist measurement and smoking and activity history. Much of this is available through an NHS Health Check or your GP. [2]
Useful depending on your history and risk: ApoB, particularly if triglycerides are raised or results are borderline; Lp(a), once, if you meet the HEART UK criteria or have a strong family history of early heart disease [5]; ferritin, B12 and folate if your diet, symptoms or medicines suggest a risk; thyroid tests if you have symptoms; urine albumin if you have raised blood pressure or diabetes risk.
Exploratory, with uncertain value for individual decisions: biological-age clocks, glycan age, telomere length, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR in people with normal HbA1c, and large hormone panels without symptoms.
Possibly unhelpful without a clinical reason: very broad panels repeated frequently, tumour markers in people without symptoms, and tests marketed mainly for "peace of mind". The UK National Screening Committee notes that a test offering only reassurance may be less useful than good advice on activity and nutrition. [1]
Bigger panels carry hidden costs. Every additional marker raises the chance of a result just outside the reference range by chance. That can lead to repeat tests, GP appointments and worry, sometimes without any health benefit. A smaller panel chosen for your question is often better value than the longest list.
Testing should sit alongside, not replace, the measures with the most evidence: knowing your blood pressure, not smoking, being active, eating well, sleeping adequately and keeping alcohol within recommended limits.
If you would like help deciding which of these apply to you, a free discovery call is a straightforward way to talk it through before you spend anything. It helps you choose a sensible next step; it is not a clinical assessment.
MATCHING THE TEST TO YOUR QUESTION
These examples show how the choice changes with the question. They are not personal advice.
If you want an affordable baseline. Book your NHS Health Check if you are eligible. If you want more detail, a single venous panel that includes lipids, ApoB, HbA1c, kidney, liver and a blood count covers the main areas. Skip biological-age testing until you know these numbers.
If close relatives had heart disease at a young age. Speak to your GP first, because family history changes how your risk is assessed. Lp(a) and ApoB are reasonable additions, and Lp(a) usually needs measuring only once. If your cholesterol is very high, ask your GP about assessment for familial hypercholesterolaemia.
If you are curious about biological age. Choose a test that explains its method and repeat variation, keep your expectations modest, and pair it with standard blood markers so the result has context. Treat a change of a year or two between tests with caution.
If you are concerned about blood sugar or insulin resistance. HbA1c is the core test, ideally with lipids and liver tests. Fasting insulin can add context but should not be read alone. An HbA1c of 42 mmol/mol or more is a reason to involve your GP, who can refer you to NHS prevention support. [6]
If you want regular tracking with professional interpretation. A subscription or membership can work well. Compare how many tests you get, whether ApoB and Lp(a) are included, who reviews your results, and how often you actually speak to someone.
If you are considering an expensive membership. Price what you would use over 12 months, ask for inclusions and terms in writing, and ask how the provider handles abnormal results and GP communication. Choose the service for the support it provides, not the number of tests.
HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU SPEND?
There is no right amount, but the prices above suggest some sensible bands.
Nothing extra. If you are 40 to 74 and eligible, the NHS Health Check covers blood pressure, cholesterol, a cardiovascular risk score and often a blood sugar test, at no cost. [2] If you are well and those numbers are normal, that may be enough for now.
Around £60 to £340 once. A single targeted test, such as a £59 Lp(a) test, or a broad one-off panel or health check, such as the Bluecrest packages at £179 to £339 or the Medichecks Optimal Health test at £249 plus any collection fee, gives you a detailed baseline. [10] [13] For most people who want more than the NHS offers, this is where the evidence-to-cost balance is strongest.
Around £360 to £420 a year. Subscription tracking, such as Thriva Compass at £360 a year, or Randox Everyman Complete at £416 for two rounds, suits people who are actively changing something and want to see whether their markers respond. [11] [12]
Several thousand pounds a year. Clinician-led memberships, including ours, cost more because they include repeated appointments, a written plan and someone to adjust it with you. That can be worthwhile if you will use the support, and poor value if you will not. Biological-age testing sits outside these bands as an optional extra.
Whatever you spend, keep some budget and attention for the things testing cannot replace: blood pressure checks, physical activity, sleep and a sensible diet.
CAN LONGEVITY TESTING IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH?
Not on its own. A test result changes nothing until it leads to a decision, and the UK National Screening Committee is clear that a test without advice, follow-up and, where needed, treatment offers no benefit. [1] Testing is most likely to help when it uncovers something you can act on and you then act on it: an HbA1c in the higher-risk range that prompts changes to diet and activity, a raised Lp(a) that makes managing your other risk factors more pressing, or low iron that explains tiredness.
It is least likely to help when results are normal and nothing changes, when a borderline result leads only to worry, or when a score is tracked for its own sake. Before you buy, picture the result coming back high, normal and borderline, and decide what you would do in each case. If the answer is "nothing different", the test is probably not worth the money.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU RETEST?
Retest only when the result could change what you do.
Lp(a) is largely inherited, so most people need it only once unless a clinician advises otherwise. [5] Lipids, ApoB and HbA1c are worth repeating after a deliberate change, typically after about three months, because HbA1c reflects roughly that period, and then at intervals agreed with your GP or clinician if results are normal. Vitamins and iron generally need repeating only if a result was abnormal or your circumstances change. Biological-age tests are most interpretable when repeated with exactly the same method and laboratory, and after enough time for a real change; a small shift may be technical noise. [8]
HOW TO RECOGNISE MISLEADING LONGEVITY MARKETING
Some warning signs are worth knowing:
claims that a test can "reverse" or "turn back" your age, or predict how long you will live;
a single score presented as a verdict on your health;
marker counts used as the main selling point;
"optimal ranges" that differ from laboratory reference ranges without explanation of the evidence;
no clear statement of what happens if a result is abnormal;
discounts that push you to book immediately, which the UK National Screening Committee specifically flags; [1]
supplements recommended and sold by the same company that interprets your results, without disclosure;
testimonials presented in place of evidence.
WHAT TO CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY
What question will this test answer, and would the answer change anything you do?
Is any part of it already available free through the NHS?
Which markers are measured directly, and which are calculated?
Is the sample venous or finger-prick, and is the draw included in the price?
Which laboratory runs the tests, and are they on its UKAS schedule? [9]
Who explains the results, how long is that conversation, and is it included?
What happens if a result is abnormal or unclear, and will someone write to your GP?
For memberships: what is the minimum term, the 12-month total, and the cancellation policy?
How is your data stored and shared, especially for genetic or epigenetic tests?
Does the service fall under Care Quality Commission registration where it involves regulated activity? The UK National Screening Committee notes that screening providers in England must be registered with the CQC. [1]
LONGEVITY TESTING AT JUVENOLOGY IN MAIDSTONE
At Juvenology, longevity care is delivered as a nurse-led service. We start with your health history, family history and goals, arrange blood testing and, where appropriate, biological-age testing, and I go through every result with you in person. You receive a written plan covering priorities such as nutrition, movement, sleep and stress. If anything suggests you need medical assessment, I write to your GP. I am not a prescriber, so any medicine would come from your GP or specialist.
You can choose a one-off Muhdo test with an in-person results discussion at £375, or a monthly longevity membership from £199. Details of the Muhdo epigenetic test are on its own page. Ask us for the current inclusions and terms in writing before you decide. Neither is the right choice for everyone, and you do not need to choose before getting in touch.
The simplest first step is a free discovery call by WhatsApp to discuss what you want to find out and whether testing would help. An in-person consultation is needed to assess your health; the clinic's general in-person consultation is listed at 30 minutes and £50, and you can view appointment times online. The consultation helps you decide which, if any, tests are worth doing, and booking does not commit you to a membership or a test.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE BEST LONGEVITY TEST IN THE UK?
There is no single best test, because the right choice depends on your question. For most adults, a blood panel that covers lipids including non-HDL cholesterol, HbA1c, kidney and liver function, and a full blood count, with ApoB and Lp(a) where relevant, gives the most actionable information. Biological-age tests are better viewed as an optional extra.
ARE HOME FINGER-PRICK TESTS AS ACCURATE AS A VENOUS BLOOD DRAW?
For many common markers, finger-prick samples processed by an accredited laboratory can be reliable, but some tests need more blood or are more sensitive to how the sample is collected. Results can be affected if the sample is small or delayed in the post. Ask the provider which markers can be measured from a finger-prick sample and what happens if a sample fails.
CAN I TAKE PRIVATE RESULTS TO MY GP?
Yes. Bring the full report with reference ranges. Your GP may repeat key tests on the NHS before acting, and may not act on markers that are not part of NHS guidance. That is normal practice rather than a dismissal of your results.
CAN LIFESTYLE CHANGES LOWER MY BIOLOGICAL AGE?
Some studies report changes in biological-age measures after lifestyle changes, but a lower score on a repeat test is not proof that your future health has improved, and part of any change can be measurement variation. [8] Focus on changes that improve measures with established health links, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, HbA1c, fitness and strength.
DO I NEED TO FAST BEFORE A LONGEVITY BLOOD TEST?
It depends on the panel. NICE does not require fasting for a standard lipid profile, [3] but some providers recommend fasting for particular markers such as triglycerides, glucose or insulin. Follow the instructions for your specific test, and note any recent illness, heavy exercise or supplements such as biotin, which can affect some results.
ABOUT MARINA
Marina Kostadinova-Yankova is an NMC-registered nurse and the founder of Juvenology Clinic in Maidstone, Kent. She qualified as a nurse in Bulgaria in 1999 and has more than 25 years of nursing experience, much of it in cardiac care, followed by further training in longevity medicine. She provides consultations and the clinic's longevity services. Read more about Marina.
This article is general educational information, not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. If you have symptoms or a health concern, speak to your GP. Prices and inclusions were checked on providers' websites on 18 October 2026 and may change; confirm them with the provider before buying.
REFERENCES
UK National Screening Committee. NHS and commercial health screening tests: important considerations. GOV.UK, 21 November 2023.
NICE. Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification (NG238). 2023.
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. HbA1c: test information and reference intervals.
UKAS. Guidance for ISO 15189 accredited medical laboratories on changes to their accredited scope.
Medichecks: Optimal Health Blood Test and Lipoprotein (a) Blood Test. Checked 18 October 2026.
Randox Health: Everyman Complete. Checked 18 October 2026.
Thriva: Compass by Thriva and Compass vs a regular subscription (refund terms). Checked 18 October 2026.
Bluecrest Wellness: Health MOTs. Checked 18 October 2026.
Bupa: Health assessments. Checked 18 October 2026.
Neko Health: Neko Health Scan. Checked 18 October 2026.
GlycanAge. Checked 18 October 2026.
Juvenology Clinic: Longevity Medicine in Maidstone and Muhdo Epigenetic Testing in Maidstone. Checked 18 October 2026.