#1

I recently used Function Health (Dr. Mark Hyman startup in Beta) which encompassed blood tests (22 total vials taken at quest labs) along with 1 urine sample. They measure 100+ biomarkers. $499 per year membership. No affiliation with company.

My chronological age is 39. My Biological Age came back at 29 (> 25% reduction in biological age). I take Rapamycin weekly, Metformin and Acarbose daily. I also adhere to most of Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Protocol.

Just thought I’d share what’s worked for me, hope it’s helpful!

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#2

Great results, thanks for posting. Can you share approximately how long you’ve been doing this protocol? Did you do any “pre-testing” before you started the protocol, and do you know if your measures have changed over time? How many times can you get this test done with your annual membership?

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#3

Thanks!

Been on protocol for about 12 months. I also have been mircodosing Viagara generic drug, in addition to Rapa Metformin and Acarbose. Practicing calorie restriction.

I didn’t do a proper pre test. In fact, Function Health includes two tests per year. And so, this is actually my first test. Hopefully even better results upon retest.

Interesting biomarkers (age 39 chrono male):

  1. ApoB = 56
  2. LP (a) = 16
  3. HS CRP = < 0.2
  4. Triglycerides = 50
  5. GGT = 20
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#4

Please define "microdosing of Viagra?

#5

@LongevityDude

Do you mind sharing your protocol? I looked at the referenced website but I couldn’t find any protocols. Am I missing something? It is simply an annual subscription which includes several biomarker tests. It does seem as a good deal btw. those lab test done on your own twice per year should amount to more than double.

#6

Sildenafil 1/4 pill every 2-3 days

#7

I follow Bryan Johnson of Blueprint’s protocol 90% of the way

In the note of the cost of labs, not only would they cost 3-5x+ more, but a typical doctor would never order them in my experience. Thus, a great value and insight into your body.

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#8

My company offers Function Health to employees as a part of benefits package. It is a great way to get tested and keep up with things longitudinally. You can request additional tests a la cart and everything will leave in the same portal (but can also download lab report pdfs). The only thing is it’s Quest only. I’m in Labcorp backyard so Quest lab is a bit of a drive but not that big of a deal

re: biological age. Pretty sure they use PhenoAge as defined through Morgan’s clinical lab calculator, so doesn’t add much information, imho, but i know everyone loves seeing it as a score

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#9

Here is the way Function Health calculates bio age, verbatim:

How It’s Calculated + Biomarkers + Why Biomarkers

Typically, biological age is calculated by measuring methyl groups’ placement on DNA (more on this below). Think of them as bookmarks pointing to the pages that need to be read in your book of life.

However, there are indirect ways to get a sense of your biological age by assessing some biomarkers (like the ones used in this calculation) that change with your rate of aging, including the health and function of your liver, kidneys, blood sugar, inflammation, immune defense, red blood health, and more. These systems greatly influence the way the body can age effectively over time. And keeping a healthy baseline of these can positively impact DNA methylation. On the flip side, if the baseline tilts negatively, the biological age may, as well.

The biological aging process can become more resilient and effective if the following biomarkers and associated organs/systems are healthy and productive. When abnormalities of these biomarkers persist for long periods, they can negatively impact your biological age by increasing your risk of illness.

Your results for the following biomarkers are used in this calculation:

Albumin: a protein produced by the liver whose job is to filter and distribute essential nutrients. Low albumin levels can be a sign of liver or kidney dysfunction or protein deficiency. Researchers have found that changes in DNA methylation can affect albumin production in the liver.

Creatinine: a measure of kidney function that is impacted by diet, medications, blood pressure, blood sugar, autoimmune diseases, and more. Creatinine is a waste product produced by the muscles during regular activities. Kidneys filter out creatinine from the blood and eliminate it through urine. Abnormal creatinine levels can indicate kidney disease or failure.

Glucose: abnormal glucose levels over time can lead to major diseases and illnesses. Conversely, healthy levels reflect the quality of your health. Insulin resistance is a main factor that accelerates biological aging and increases the risk of all age-related diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and dementia. Elevated glucose is caused by insulin resistance.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP): an immune messenger protein produced by the liver that measures hidden inflammation. One of the main characteristics of accelerated biological age is inflammation, otherwise known as “inflamm-aging” in the body. Inflamm-aging is one of the key hallmarks of aging. Prolonged inflammation is linked to cancer, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. Additionally, abnormal DNA methylation patterns accelerate all inflammatory age-related diseases.

Lymphocyte %: the role of lymphocytes in the body’s immune defense is so important that abnormal levels can lead to severe illness and/or the inability to fight off danger. Over time, abnormal lymphocytes can weaken the body. Epigenetic mechanisms regulate lymphocytes, and as DNA methylation changes with age, it impacts the production and function of these immune cells.

Mean cell volume (MCV): measures the average size of the red blood cells (RBCs) in a blood sample: whether they are too big, too small, or just right. Since RBCs are crucial for carrying oxygen and cells to and from even the tiniest crevices of the body, MCV measures the ability of your red cells to perform their job efficiently. If MCV is either consistently high or low (most likely indicating a chronic nutritional deficiency—iron, folate, B12, or a blood condition), it can degrade your overall wellness and accelerate your biological age.

RBC distribution width (RDW): in combination with MCV, RDW helps reveal the health of red blood cells. When either or both are abnormal over time, it can lead to a higher risk of disease and increased biological age. Variations in RDW can occur with age, and abnormal levels over time can influence cardiovascular outcomes and other pathways associated with aging.

White blood cell count (WBC): a healthy baseline over time means the body is fit to fight off disease or other threats. When abnormal for long periods, this can impact your biological age negatively by increasing risk of illness.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): an enzyme found mostly in the liver but also in bones, bile ducts, and kidneys. When these systems are not working well, it accelerates your biological age.

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#10

I agree $499 for all those lab tests is a great deal, plus I see there is other useful and important info on nutrition, health and longevity. I had my blood work last month or so otherwise would have joined. But will keep it as an option closer to the time when I decide to do my next blood work. Thanks,

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#11

yes, so PhenoAge

what Function Health doesnt tell you and PhenoAge folks forget to mention is that PhenoAge uses chronological age and it has the biggest weight in the biological age calculator. So as long as you are disease-free by traditional labs, you will be 6-10 years younger.

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#12

their recommendation algorithm is getting better. the first year it was super generic and a little silly but last time i looked a few months ago, it looked more sophisticated and custom

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#13

They raised $53 million in a Series A funding round in June of 2024.

A suggestion FWIW make your Sapere X testing available through them.

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#16

Whoa. Better in this pic because your jaw is wider and still have very intelligent caring eyes. I tend to agree with you about the machines.

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#17

I meant the more recent pic.

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#18

thanks, LOL was a kid in junior year, my bones hadn’t matured yet

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#19

Why are you taking Metformin and Acarbose - don’t they effectively do the same thing? How are you tolerating Acarbose? My doctor just ordered some for me and I should be starting on it soon.

Cheers, Joe

#20

I take them for Geroprotective purposes (ie. longevity)

I take them both right with a swig of olive oil right before I consumer my supplement stack each morning. Olive oil is actually insanely powerful for longevity.

They both can have gastro effects if using heavy carb meals and processed foods was my experience. I’m not a doctor, hope it’s helpful.

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#21

While I think Olive oil is a healthy fat, I would not consider it to be “insanely powerful for longevity”.

#22

If we did order and bill to insurance we would be accused of performing “unnecessary” lab testing. They would accuse us of profiteering at insurance expense. I have experienced this personally. I am grateful that alternative practitioners and labs have evolved to make prevention a priority. However mainstream medicine is controlled by the insurers and Big Pharma.