What Is a Longevity Check-Up? Tests, Biomarkers & Costs

You feel healthy. Your last visit to the doctor was two years ago, and everything was fine. You're 48, busy with your career, and you go for a run sometimes. So why should you consider a longevity check-up?

Because the most dangerous health risks develop silently. Chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and the beginnings of arterial plaque can build up for ten to twenty years before they manifest as a heart attack, diabetes, or dementia. The standard healthcare system is designed to react to these events. A longevity check-up aims to get ahead of them.

But what does it actually measure? The term "longevity" is popular but often vague. This article explains the scientifically-backed measurements that constitute a comprehensive longevity check-up: 87+ blood values, functional tests, advanced imaging, and genetics.

What Is a Longevity Check-Up?

A longevity check-up is a deep, data-driven analysis of your current health status and future health risks. The goal is not just to detect diseases early, but to quantify the biological aging process itself.

How It Differs from a Standard Health Screening

A standard health check, like the "Check-up 35" offered by statutory health insurance in Germany, provides an important but narrow snapshot. It typically includes:

• Blood pressure measurement
• Total cholesterol and fasting blood sugar
• Urine test
• A conversation with a physician

This type of screening doesn't capture the root causes of age-related diseases: no chronic inflammation markers, no lipoprotein particle count, no measure of insulin resistance.

The YEARS Core® program includes 87 biomarkers and over 25 diagnostic tests in a single day. The difference isn't just the quantity of data, but the questions the tests are designed to answer. Instead of asking, "Is a disease present?" the question becomes, "Which risk factors are measurable years before a disease develops?"

The Four Pillars of a Scientific Longevity Check-Up

Pillar 1: Advanced Biomarker Analysis (87+ Parameters)

Blood circulates through every organ, providing precise information about the state of the entire organism. A longevity lab panel goes far beyond basic cholesterol and blood sugar tests.

The marker groups in the YEARS Core® program include:

Advanced Cardiovascular Risk:

• ApoB (Apolipoprotein B): Predicts heart attack risk more accurately than conventional LDL cholesterol because it measures the number of atherogenic particles, not just their cholesterol content.
• hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein): A marker for chronic, low-grade inflammation. Elevated levels are considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• NT-proBNP: A sensitive marker for stress on the heart muscle, which can provide an early indication of developing heart failure.

Metabolic Health:

• HOMA-IR Index: Calculated from fasting insulin and fasting glucose, this index can detect insulin resistance five to ten years before a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
• Complete Lipid and Glucose Metabolism: A detailed analysis of all relevant blood lipids and their ratios.

Organ Function and Nutrient Status:

• Liver and Kidney Panels: Comprehensive panels to assess the function of these central detoxification organs.
• Thyroid Hormones (TSH, fT3, fT4): Undetected thyroid dysfunction is more common than many people think and affects the entire metabolism.
• Vitamin D and Ferritin: Deficiencies in these are linked to a weakened immune system, chronic fatigue, and other health issues.

Pillar 2: Biological Age and Epigenetic Clocks

Your chronological age is on your driver's license. Your biological age describes the actual condition of your cells. A 60-year-old can have the biological fitness of a 50-year-old—or that of a 75-year-old. Modern longevity diagnostics make this difference measurable.

What is epigenetics? Epigenetics describes how environmental and lifestyle factors control gene activity without changing the DNA sequence itself. A key mechanism is DNA methylation: small chemical groups attach to DNA, turning genes on or off.

How does an epigenetic clock work? This methylation pattern changes predictably over a lifetime. In 2013, Steve Horvath at UCLA developed an algorithm that calculates an estimate of biological age from hundreds of thousands of these methylation points. The correlation with chronological age is over 0.9. Newer clocks like PhenoAge (which correlates more strongly with health risks) and DunedinPACE (which measures the current pace of aging) further refine this analysis.

In the YEARS Evolve® and Ultimate® programs, seven different epigenetic clocks are calculated to provide a nuanced picture of biological age and the speed of aging.

Pillar 3: Functional Health Tests: From VO₂max to Grip Strength

Physical performance is one of the strongest predictors of life expectancy. A longevity check-up measures it objectively, beyond subjective feelings of fitness.

• VO₂max (maximal oxygen uptake): Measured via spiroergometry, this value is considered one of the strongest single predictors of all-cause mortality. According to a 2022 meta-analysis, improving your VO₂max from the lowest quintile to the next highest can approximately halve your risk of mortality.
• Grip Strength: Simple to measure, yet highly informative. Low handgrip strength correlates with an increased risk of sarcopenia, frailty, and cardiovascular disease.
• Body Composition (3D Body Scan & BIA): Precise measurement of muscle mass, body fat percentage, and especially visceral fat, which drives inflammatory processes and metabolic diseases.
• Lung Function (Body Plethysmography): Measures total lung capacity and gas exchange to provide a detailed assessment of lung health and resilience.
• Balance and Neurological Function: Tests like the single-leg stand provide clues about neurological age and fall risk.

Pillar 4: Advanced Imaging and Specialized Diagnostics

This pillar uses advanced technology to make structural changes visible long before they cause symptoms.

• Extended Ultrasound: Included in the Core® program. The heart, abdominal organs, thyroid, and blood vessels are examined in detail to detect early calcifications, organ changes, or fatty liver disease.
• Whole-Body MRI: Available from the Evolve® program onwards. This radiation-free scan provides cross-sectional images of the entire body from head to pelvis and can uncover previously undetected tumors, aneurysms, or abnormal fat distribution.
• AI-Powered Skin Screening: The ATBM Master photographs the entire skin surface and analyzes moles using AI. The detection rate is 96.7%.
• AI Funduscopy: A camera analyzes the back of the eye. The fine blood vessels of the retina can show early signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, or neurological diseases.

Together, these four pillars provide a 360-degree view of health that the standard healthcare system is not structurally equipped to deliver.

Beyond the Four Pillars: The Role of 'Omics' in Longevity

For those who want to dive even deeper into their biology, YEARS Ultimate® offers an additional dimension of analysis, collectively known as "omics."

Genomics: Your Genetic Predisposition

Whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing analyzes your complete genetic makeup. Over 170 genes are examined for increased risks of cancer (e.g., BRCA mutations), cardiovascular diseases, or metabolic disorders. Someone who knows they carry a BRCA1 mutation can intensify their screening schedule proactively instead of waiting.

Pharmacogenetics complements this picture by showing how your body is likely to react to over 150 common medications, which can make future treatments safer.

Microbiomics: The Ecosystem in Your Gut

Analyzing the bacteria and fungi in your gut provides insights into digestive health, immune function, and even mental well-being. An imbalanced microbiome is associated with a range of age-related diseases.

Liquid Biopsy: Cancer Early Detection from a Blood Sample

The truCheck test, included in the Evolve® and Ultimate® programs, is designed to detect circulating tumor DNA in the blood. The screening covers over 70 types of cancer, often at an early stage when treatment options are most effective. A liquid biopsy does not replace imaging but complements it with a molecular dimension that conventional diagnostics cannot see.

From Data to Action: What Happens with Your Results?

The most comprehensive diagnostics are worthless if they don't lead to concrete actions.

After a complete evaluation of all your data at YEARS, you receive:

1. A Detailed Health Report: A personalized document of over 60 pages that clearly explains all your results and places them in a scientific context.
2. A Strategy Session with a Physician: After about two weeks, you will discuss all findings in detail with a YEARS physician. Individual risks are prioritized, and a concrete plan for the next 12 months is developed.
3. Clinic-as-a-Study: Participants in the Evolve® or Ultimate® programs contribute to building one of the most comprehensive longevity databases. Samples are cryopreserved and can be re-analyzed with future technologies.

Costs and Comparison: Investing in Your Health

A comprehensive longevity check-up is an investment. The prices at YEARS are:

• YEARS Core®: €1,900
• YEARS Evolve®: €7,600
• YEARS Ultimate®: €16,900

For comparison, a standard check-up in the German public system costs the insurer around €30 and provides about 10 basic markers. The Core® program offers nearly nine times the number of markers plus imaging and functional tests.

Those with private health insurance may be able to claim partial reimbursement. YEARS bills according to the German schedule of medical fees (GOÄ), and since medically relevant findings are often identified (e.g., fatty liver, vitamin deficiencies, insulin resistance), many private insurance plans recognize a portion of the costs.

The real question is about long-term costs. Identifying and addressing a risk constellation five years earlier may help avoid the treatment costs associated with a heart attack or cancer diagnosis, not to mention the personal burden. It's a wager on your own health, with measurable stakes on both sides.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you really slow down your biological age? Studies show that targeted interventions in nutrition, exercise (especially to increase VO₂max), sleep, and stress management can lower biological age and slow the pace of aging (as measured by DunedinPACE).

How often should I repeat a longevity check-up? For meaningful longitudinal tracking, an annual check-up is recommended. The standardized protocols at YEARS ensure that data remains comparable from year to year.

What is the difference between biological and chronological age? Chronological age is the time that has passed since your birth. Biological age describes the functional state of your body at a cellular level, influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and environment.

Why is VO₂max more important than how fit I feel? Feelings are subjective. VO₂max is a quantitative measure of your cardiorespiratory system's performance and one of the strongest known predictors of life expectancy.

Take Control of Your Health Journey

A longevity check-up shifts the focus from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. It not only shows you where you stand today but also provides a data-driven foundation for the years to come.

For those ready to take this step, YEARS is the place to start.

Schedule a consultation with YEARS

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.