Best of
Best Biomarkers on a Budget
Last updated 2026-07-02· Last reviewed 2026-07-02· 1 min read
Reviewed by the Ultimate Longevity Bible editorial team. Educational reference — not medical advice. See disclaimer.
The essentials (annually or every 2 years)
- apoB: definitive lipid marker; often <$50.
- Lp(a): once-in-a-lifetime; ~$50–100.
- HbA1c: metabolic status; ~$25.
- Fasting insulin: insulin resistance; ~$25.
- hs-CRP: inflammation; ~$25.
- Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP): liver, kidney, glucose, electrolytes; included in standard bloodwork.
- Complete blood count (CBC): haemoglobin, ferritin, WBC; standard.
- TSH and free T4: thyroid; ~$50 combined.
- 25-hydroxy vitamin D: ~$50; only if suspected deficient.
Once-per-decade or as-indicated
- CAC score: $100–200 at most imaging centres; profoundly reclassifies risk.
- DEXA scan: body composition + bone density; $50–200.
- VO2max: submax estimate on a wearable is often free.
Skip (for most healthy adults)
- Comprehensive 100-marker "longevity panels" (Function Health, InsideTracker) unless you value the concierge experience — the incremental biomarkers add little actionable signal.
- Single-timepoint epigenetic-age tests (variance dominates trend for one reading).
- Heavy-metal panels without exposure history.
- "Food sensitivity" IgG panels (not validated).
Related entries
High-leverage tests, Function Health vs InsideTracker, apoB.