Longevity: the markers you can steer on
There is a set of blood values your GP will usually not order, because without symptoms there is no indication. Those same values say something about the long term, and that is exactly where you can still change the outcome.
This is not a scare story. Most people who measure these markers are healthy and would like to stay that way. The point of measuring early is that you still have decades to act on what you see.
The markers, and why they are in
ApoB
Every particle carrying cholesterol through your blood holds exactly one ApoB molecule. ApoB therefore counts particles, while LDL cholesterol measures how much cholesterol sits inside them. See the ApoB page.
Lp(a)
Largely genetically determined and barely changes across your life, so one measurement is enough. Roughly one in five people has a raised value without knowing it, because it is rarely drawn as standard.
hs-CRP
High-sensitivity CRP, which reveals low-grade inflammation you would not otherwise notice. Do not draw right after an infection or hard training.
Homocysteine
Relates to vitamin B12, B6 and folate status. A raised value often points there.
Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR
Insulin resistance runs years ahead of a rising glucose. Fasting insulin together with fasting glucose gives HOMA-IR, revealing the early shift while glucose still looks fine.
Fibrinogen, cystatin C and the omega-3 index
Fibrinogen is a clotting protein that also marks inflammation. Cystatin C measures kidney function less dependently on muscle mass than creatinine, which is fairer if you train a lot. The omega-3 index measures the share of EPA and DHA in your red cells and responds directly to what you eat.
Which of these are worth it for you?
Message your age, your family history and whether you have had lipids measured before. Mario will say which markers add something and which you can skip.
Reachable Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 18:00. An appointment can usually be scheduled within a few days.
Why your GP usually will not order these
Dutch GP guidelines are built to detect disease in people with symptoms or a raised risk profile. If you are healthy there is no indication, and without an indication nothing gets ordered. See testing without a referral.
The package
What you do with the result
You get the lab reference and the stricter target range per value. That distinction matters more here than anywhere else, because prevention is not about whether something is abnormal but about which way it is moving. See reference versus optimal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ApoB and LDL cholesterol?
ApoB counts particles, LDL measures the cholesterol inside them.
Every cholesterol-carrying particle holds one ApoB. At the same LDL the particle count can differ considerably, and that count is what makes the difference.
How often should Lp(a) be measured?
Once in your life is enough.
Lp(a) is largely genetic and barely changes. Once you know your value there is no need to repeat it.
Why will my GP not order these markers?
Because without symptoms there is no medical indication.
The guidelines target detecting disease, not monitoring healthy people. You can order and pay for these yourself.
Is this not just fearmongering?
No, and that is not the intent.
Most people who measure this are healthy. The point is knowing early where you stand, so you have years to act. A raised value is a direction, not a diagnosis.
Do I need to fast?
Yes, for insulin, glucose and triglycerides.
At least 8 hours without food. ApoB and Lp(a) are less sensitive to eating, but since they are drawn alongside the rest, fasting is the practical choice.
Can this tell me my biological age?
No, that is not a validated output of these markers.
What you get is a picture of your cardiovascular and metabolic status and the direction it is moving. That is more concrete and easier to act on than a single summary number.
Note: a blood test gives you insight and direction. It does not prove or rule out a condition on its own. Results are meant for prevention and for tracking change over time, not as a diagnosis. For symptoms or values outside the reference range, see your GP.