Biomarkers Table
Complete guide to blood biomarkers for optimal health and longevity
Normal vs Optimal
“Normal” values reflect the middle of the population but are not always optimal for longevity.
Tracking Over Time
A single test isn’t conclusive; trends over time are more meaningful.
Proactive Prevention
Chronic disease risk can be reduced by monitoring and managing biomarkers.
Cardiovascular
(6 biomarkers)| Biomarker | Normal Range | Optimal Range | Risk Range | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) | <90 mg/dL | <60 mg/dL | Elevated levels | |
Blood Pressure | <120/80 mmHg | 110-115/70-75 mmHg | >130/80 mmHg | |
HDL Cholesterol | >40 mg/dL (men) | >60 mg/dL | Low levels | |
Homocysteine | <15 μmol/L | <10 μmol/L | Elevated levels | |
Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] | <30 mg/dL | <14 mg/dL | Elevated levels | |
Triglycerides | <150 mg/dL | ~50 mg/dL | >100 mg/dL (increased risk) |
Diabetes
(2 biomarkers)| Biomarker | Normal Range | Optimal Range | Risk Range | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fasting Glucose | 70-90 mg/dL | 70-90 mg/dL | >100 mg/dL (pre-diabetes), >125 mg/dL (diabetes) | |
Hemoglobin A1c | 4.5-5.5% | 4.5-5.5% | >5.8% (pre-diabetes), >6.5% (diabetes) |
Heavy Metals
(1 biomarker)| Biomarker | Normal Range | Optimal Range | Risk Range | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lead | <5 μg/dL | <1 μg/dL | >10 μg/dL |
Inflammation
(1 biomarker)| Biomarker | Normal Range | Optimal Range | Risk Range | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
C‑Reactive Protein (CRP) | <3 mg/L | As close to zero as possible | >0.2 mg/L (increased risk) |
Metabolic
(1 biomarker)| Biomarker | Normal Range | Optimal Range | Risk Range | Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Waist Circumference | <102 cm (men) | <94 cm (men) | >102 cm |
Key Points to Remember
Disease Progression
Chronic diseases develop slowly over time. For example, diabetes can progress from normal values (70–90 mg/dL) to pre‑diabetes (>100 mg/dL) and then to diabetes (>125 mg/dL) over years. Regular monitoring helps reverse the trend.
Balanced Approach
Optimal health requires balance across biomarkers. It’s better to have all markers in decent ranges than some perfect and others poor. Aim for a balanced lifestyle.
Biomarker Fluctuations
Some biomarkers fluctuate considerably. Inflammatory markers vary with infections, heavy metals with exposure, and hormones with sleep and stress. Repeating tests is essential to identify patterns.
Action Based on Results
Blood tests matter when you act on them. Commit to lifestyle changes informed by your biomarkers to lower all‑cause mortality risk.
“No one is destined to develop diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease. You can measure your current risk and, by controlling these blood markers, significantly reduce it.”