Lab Testing & Biomarker Panels
Standard physicals test for overt disease. Longevity-focused panels test for the gradual, silent trajectories — rising ApoB, worsening insulin sensitivity, declining DHEA-S — that predict cardiovascular events, metabolic dysfunction, and accelerated aging a decade before a clinical diagnosis. The three platforms below represent different points on the spectrum from all-inclusive consumer products to fully custom physician-ordered panels.
InsideTracker
InsideTracker measures 43 blood biomarkers including ApoB, hsCRP, ferritin, HbA1c, testosterone, DHEA-S, cortisol, vitamin D, and omega-3 index — paired with the InnerAge 2.0 biological age algorithm derived from those results. The platform's distinguishing feature is its algorithm-driven intervention layer: each out-of-range biomarker maps to specific dietary, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations drawn from peer-reviewed literature. This makes it a practical optimization tool rather than a read-only report.
Best user experience for self-optimizers. Not a physician's diagnostic tool, but excellent for tracking direction of change over time. The intervention recommendation layer is well-cited and more actionable than a raw lab report.
Function Health
Function Health offers 100+ biomarkers as standard — including full lipid fractionation (LDL-P, sdLDL), ApoB, Lp(a), a complete thyroid panel, heavy metals, micronutrients, sex hormones, inflammatory markers, and kidney and liver function. Results are physician-reviewed before release. At $499 per year covering two comprehensive panels, this is among the lowest per-test costs available for this breadth of coverage.
Best comprehensive panel for cardiovascular risk assessment. The Founder considers Lp(a) and ApoB the two most important undertested cardiovascular biomarkers in most Americans — Function Health includes both as defaults, which alone justifies the membership for anyone without a prior Lp(a) result.
Marek Health / Direct Labs
Marek Health operates on a physician-partner model: you select individual LabCorp or Quest tests, the draw occurs at a local site, and there is no predefined bundle. This means you can build a longevity panel for $150–$300 — or add specialized tests like the DUTCH hormone panel, GI-MAP, or organic acids testing — without paying for biomarkers you don't need. The tradeoff is that you need to know what to order; there is no algorithmic guidance layer.
Best for practitioners and advanced self-quantifiers who know what they want to measure. The steeper learning curve — you need to understand the clinical significance of each biomarker before ordering — makes this a poor fit for someone getting their first longevity panel. Start with Function Health or InsideTracker; graduate to Marek when you have a specific protocol to test.
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Educational content only. Not medical advice. Platform comparisons reflect publicly available information and editorial assessment — not proof that any specific test treats or prevents disease. Consult a qualified clinician before acting on lab results.