Which blood tests for longevity? A practical baseline list

Many people want to measure “everything.” For longevity, that is rarely the best starting point. A better approach is a clear baseline list that covers important areas and can be expanded later.

Short answer

A useful longevity baseline often includes:

• HbA1c
• fasting glucose
• fasting insulin
• triglycerides
• HDL-C
• LDL-C
• ApoB
• Lp(a), at least once
• hs-CRP
• vitamin D / 25-OH-D
• ferritin
• creatinine / eGFR
• ALT, AST, GGT
• TSH
• blood pressure as a home value

Not everyone needs everything immediately. But these values provide a much stronger overview than isolated markers.

Metabolism

HbA1c

HbA1c gives longer-term glucose context. It does not replace a full metabolic assessment, but it is a useful starting marker.

Fasting glucose

Fasting glucose is widely available but variable. Sleep, stress, illness and measurement conditions matter.

Fasting insulin

Fasting insulin is often not part of standard labs, but can be useful for metabolic questions.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are part of a lipid panel and are more useful when interpreted together with HDL-C, ApoB and nutrition context.

Cardiovascular

ApoB

ApoB is often more informative than LDL-C alone for risk context. It is not always included in standard lipid panels and may need to be requested.

LDL-C, HDL-C, Non-HDL-C

These values are useful baseline markers, but should not be interpreted in isolation.

Lp(a)

Lp(a) is largely genetic and usually does not need frequent retesting. For many people, measuring it once is useful.

Blood pressure

Blood pressure is not a blood marker, but it belongs in the longevity baseline. A home measurement series is often more useful than one office reading.

Inflammation and context

hs-CRP

hs-CRP can add inflammation context. Illness, intense exercise or injury can temporarily raise it.

Ferritin

Ferritin is both an iron storage marker and an inflammation-related marker. It should not be interpreted alone.

Liver, kidney and thyroid

A solid baseline may include:

• ALT
• AST
• GGT
• creatinine
• eGFR
• TSH

Depending on context, additional thyroid, kidney or liver markers may be useful.

Micronutrients

Vitamin D

Vitamin D should be measured as 25-OH-D. Supplementation without follow-up is less useful.

Vitamin B12, folate, magnesium, omega-3 index

These may be relevant depending on diet, symptoms, supplements and goals.

Which clinician or lab?

Typical options:

• primary care physician
• internist
• cardiologist for cardiovascular questions
• endocrinologist/diabetologist for metabolic questions
• self-pay lab

Not every practice measures everything by default. ApoB, fasting insulin, hs-CRP, vitamin D or omega-3 index often need to be requested specifically.

Conclusion

For longevity, you do not need the longest possible lab panel. You need a useful baseline, clean measurement conditions and a plan for what to do with the results.