Longevity Medicine
Longevity is a relatively new field in medicine and there are new tests emerging and evolving all the time. We evaluate your biomarkers using the latest, most up-to-date testing with the best clinical utility to completely personalise your longevity medicine strategy.
These initial tests give us a detailed look at your biological age, DNA, general health markers, inflammatory markers, detailed hormone health and cardiovascular health – including arterial age and much more.
During your initial longevity medicine foundation consultation, your doctor will analyse your medical and family history alongside your personal goals and interests.
Whether you’re seeking a specific medication, investigating a particular health concern, or opting for a more in-depth assessment with multiple test types, your doctor will guide you toward the most appropriate tests for your individual needs.
Test types
This category of tests includes essential markers needed to be reviewed for an assessment of overall health. This includes liver enzymes and bilirubin which help assess liver function and detoxification, while kidney markers evaluate filtration efficiency and renal health. A full blood count (FBC) provides key insights into red blood cells (oxygen transport and anemia risk), white blood cells (immune function and inflammation), and platelets (blood clotting and inflammatory response), all of which are crucial for managing age-related health risks.
Nutrients play a vital role in nearly every function of the body. We offer a thorough analysis of essential vitamins and minerals to support long-term health and longevity. Key nutrients like vitamin D, B12, and folate are commonly tested through your GP, however, assessing a wider range such as magnesium, zinc, omega analysis, selenium, chromium, and iodine, can reveal imbalances affecting metabolism, immunity, and the capacity for your body to deal with various stressors. Depending on the specific nutrient and the information needed, we use both blood and urine testing to provide the most accurate and insightful results for long-term health optimisation.
Inflammation is a key driver of ageing and is closely linked to the development of chronic diseases, this means that its investigation in preventative health is vital. In addition to key inflammation markers we also assess hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) given its ability to detect even slight elevations in systemic inflammation. Markers like hs-CRP and homocysteine help identify underlying inflammation and vascular stress. We also consider other inflammatory markers such as ESR, ferritin, and white blood cell count to provide a more comprehensive picture of inflammation and immune system activity.
Cardiovascular and metabolic health are crucial for longevity and healthy ageing. Assessing blood sugar, cholesterol parameters and systemic inflammation provides a good baseline from which to improve upon. In addition to standard markers, we can also assess markers such as Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], an omega analysis and clotting factors, which offer a more accurate picture of cardiovascular risk. We also monitor fasting insulin, HbA1c, and glucose to evaluate metabolic function. Your doctor may also pair this test with an arterial age test (also known as a pulse wave velocity test) which takes place at our clinic location; this is a non-invasive, gold standard test looking at arterial stiffness and vascular health. You may be particularly interested in this if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease.
Hormones regulate essential functions like metabolism, energy, stress response, and mood. Balanced hormones can assist in preventing age-related decline, support bone density, and preserve cognitive health, contributing to overall vitality for both men and women. We assess the key sex hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone (including free measured testosterone, not free calculated testosterone), along with a comprehensive thyroid panel inclusive of TSH, T4, T3. We also offer a DIO2 genetic test if required. Additionally, we regularly analyse precursor hormones (e.g., DHEA) and stress hormone profiles, including cortisol and adrenal function.
DNA and genetic testing offer valuable insights into your individual biological blueprint; this can serve as a foundational starting point for both health optimisation and a long-term approach to healthy ageing. Our DNA remains unchanged throughout life, so understanding our genetic predispositions provides opportunities to implement meaningful changes. Our comprehensive genetic panels assess key areas such as Alzheimer’s risk, nutrient metabolism, methylation (MTHFR), longevity-related genes (e.g., SIRT1, FOXO3), detoxification pathways, and nervous system health, amongst others.
Having a measure of your biological age can serve as an excellent metric and benchmark from which to improve upon, and is often used to assess some of the changes you have made. There are various ways to test your biological age. Looking at ‘inflam-ageing’ using a GlycanAge test is a popular option. This test measures ageing at the molecular level by looking at chronic inflammation. Another emerging biological age test is our arterial age test. This is a non-invasive physical test and is a measurement of blood vessel stiffness. Identifying arterial stiffness or even slightly elevated blood pressure is important for longer term cardiovascular health.
Gut health is a fundamental pillar of healthy ageing and longevity. An imbalanced microbiome or compromised gut barrier can trigger both local and systemic effects, influencing everything from our brain, inflammation, hormones, to our metabolic health. While the Gut-Brain axis is widely known, emerging research highlights additional key connections, including Gut-Immune, Gut-Heart, and Gut-Metabolism links. Even in the absence of noticeable digestive symptoms, assessing gut health as a preventative measure can uncover hidden imbalances and optimise barrier function. We use the most advanced testing to understand your microbiome, gut barrier function and to identify any foods that might be causing low grade inflammation in your gut.
Toxin and heavy metals testing is a valuable tool for improving your longevity. This is because long-term exposure to hidden toxins can contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysfunction. These are all prominent drivers of ageing and chronic disease, and can quietly limit your energy, performance, and long-term health. Our toxin testing includes heavy metals, environmental chemicals, plastics, biological toxins and agricultural residues. Heavy metals like mercury, lead, and arsenic can accumulate in tissues, impairing cognitive function, mitochondrial health, and detoxification pathways. Identifying and addressing toxic burden supports liver function, immune resilience, and hormonal balance – all of which are critical for healthy ageing.
Cancer screening enables early detection and proactive prevention, meaning that it is a vital and forward-thinking tool in longevity medicine. Advanced testing now allows us to identify cancer risks long before symptoms arise or tumors take hold. Cutting-edge screenings can detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and epigenetic changes in cancer stem cells which occur months before a tumor even forms. This breakthrough in stem cell detection offers a game-changing opportunity to assess cancer risk at its earliest stages. For those with a history of cancer, these screenings also provide essential monitoring for recurrence, supporting long-term health and peace of mind.
Within a field that is as new as longevity medicine, generalised advice can not only be costly but also unnecessary. Advice needs to be tailored to the needs of the individual. Personalised testing is what determines many factors, and without it, it’s easy to spend money unnecessarily.
If you are prepared to invest your time, effort and money in your future health, why wouldn’t you want to get the most out of your investment? Lab tests, as well as physical tests, are the backbone of a personalised longevity strategy. These help us address your individual needs and determine the optimal combination of therapies, and the specifics within those recommendations, required to improve your health span.
“When it comes to your health, don’t rely on guesswork. We are extremely lucky to be living in a time where niche testing is accessible to the average person, and we have doctors trained in the interpretation of this data. This means that we can pick up on very early stage changes today that would normally be picked up only when bad enough to cause symptoms; and by that time, potentially not reversible in any significant way. Everybody has something they could be acting on today which will affect them positively for the rest of their life. Longevity medicine lab testing is the foundation for your future health.”
Dr Harpal Bains
Whilst longevity testing is really important, we don’t just look at the numbers or test results in isolation. Here at Harpal Clinic, it’s our interpretation that really sets us apart from other longevity offerings. We not only interpret your test results but consider them in conjunction with your medical history, your family history, and what you’re currently going through in life right now to connect the dots and create a complete picture of your health. Our practitioners have worked in the field of functional medicine for many years, and understand the need to treat the body holistically and consider all body systems.
We have utilised longevity medicine tactics throughout our work, and were doing so long before the term was coined. With our high level of experience and knowledge, you can rest assured that we will provide you with the best opportunity to maintain your health and wellbeing as you age.
We offer a Longevity Medicine Membership which includes a wide range of lab testing.
However, if you prefer less commitment or a set structure then you may prefer our Focussed and Comprehensive consultation types. These put you more in control of the longevity services that you would like to receive and timescales that suit your personal schedule.