I spent over $2 , 700 on longevity tests and these are my honest thoughts

hellomagazine.com · Feb 17, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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I am not someone who shies away from doctors, but like many women in midlife, I have often left routine check-ups feeling vaguely reassured and quietly unsatisfied. A handful of blood tests, a quick glance at a chart, and the familiar phrase "everything looks normal", even when my body has clearly been changing in ways that feel anything but average. As I moved into my early fifties, with a family history of diabetes on one side and colon cancer on the other, I realised I wanted more than reassurance, I wanted understanding.That is what led me to book a full longevity assessment with Everlab, a decision that ultimately cost me just over $2,700 and delivered the most comprehensive picture of my health I have ever received. This was not a standard GP visit. Everlab looks at more than 100 biomarkers across over 50 medical categories, focusing on how your body is functioning now and how it is likely to age, rather than waiting for something to go wrong.© EverlabDr Steven explains my resultsThe testing covered everything from advanced cardiovascular markers like apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a), to insulin sensitivity, hormone panels, VO₂ max testing for aerobic fitness, and DEXA scans for bone density, muscle mass and visceral fat. It was detailed, data-heavy and at times confronting, but also incredibly empowering.I went in with a specific worry. Despite eating well, exercising consistently and maintaining what most would consider a healthy weight, I had struggled to lose fat in midlife and assumed insulin resistance was quietly sabotaging my efforts. Like many women, I had accepted this as almost inevitable in perimenopause, but my results told a very different story.© EverlabEverlab tests over 100 biomarkersOverall, and surprisingly so, they were positive. My blood sugar regulation was excellent, with very low fasting insulin and no evidence of insulin resistance. My cardiovascular risk markers were largely optimal, including ApoB, lipoprotein(a), HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. My VO₂ max sat comfortably in the excellent range for my age, reflecting years of consistent aerobic training, and my bone mineral density was strong across the spine, hips and total body.Dr Steven, who reviewed my results, summed it up clearly. "At 52, Faye’s results show strong metabolic and physical health compared with what we typically see in women at this stage of life. Her blood sugar regulation, lipid markers and overall body composition suggest good insulin sensitivity and lower cardiometabolic risk, which is critical through midlife, when hormonal shifts can quietly drive visceral fat gain and metabolic decline. Maintaining this profile comes down to preserving muscle, staying physically active, and supporting recovery and sleep so these systems remain resilient over time."Everlab goes beyond normal health testsThat does not mean everything was perfect. One of the most important areas flagged was blood pressure, which was elevated on the day of testing. While this may have been situational, perimenopausal women often experience rising blood pressure as estrogen’s protective effect on blood vessels declines, and a reading of 150/90 is not something to ignore. The plan is to monitor it over several months and investigate further if it remains consistently high.Cholesterol was another nuanced finding. While my total cholesterol and LDL were technically suboptimal, the deeper markers that matter more for heart disease risk were excellent, meaning lifestyle management remains the primary approach rather than medication. This is where longevity medicine felt refreshingly sophisticated, looking beyond single numbers to assess overall risk.One of the most valuable insights came from my aerobic fitness testing. VO₂ max is one of the strongest predictors of longevity and future independence, yet it is rarely measured in routine healthcare. As Dr Steven explained: "One of the most important findings is Faye’s aerobic fitness. Her VO₂ max sits above average for women in their 50s, which matters because aerobic capacity is closely linked to cardiovascular health, metabolic control and long-term independence. The key is holding onto this advantage by continuing regular aerobic training, including some higher-intensity work, while allowing adequate recovery, as aerobic fitness is one of the first qualities to decline if training becomes inconsistent or overly fatiguing. Preserving this capacity over time is a key pillar of longevity."© EverlabEverlab's app provides all your health data in real timeThe DEXA scan told a more layered story. While my bone density was firmly in the optimal range, my muscle mass was lower than ideal for my age, with clear side-to-side imbalances likely linked to an old Achilles injury. My body fat percentage and visceral fat were also higher than optimal, despite a healthy BMI, a pattern that is increasingly common in post-menopausal women as fat redistributes towards the abdomen.Dr Steven was clear that this is not about drastic weight loss, but refinement. "Faye’s DEXA scan shows good overall muscle mass and bone density, alongside relatively low visceral fat in population terms. There are also clear areas to refine, including some side-to-side differences in muscle distribution and visceral fat sitting just above an optimal longevity target. Practically, this means prioritising progressive resistance training, incorporating unilateral exercises to address imbalances, and continuing a mix of strength and aerobic training alongside adequate recovery, nutrition and sleep quality to gradually reduce visceral fat while preserving muscle," he told me.© Universal Images Group via GettyPart of the testing is to look at your DEXA scansThere were also smaller but important findings, including a magnesium deficiency despite supplementation, highlighting how common absorption issues are in midlife, and the need to reassess not just what we take, but how well we absorb it. My known thalassaemia beta minor showed up exactly as expected, with low haemoglobin but healthy iron stores, reinforcing the importance of avoiding unnecessary iron supplementation.Preventive screening was another key takeaway. With a strong family history of colon cancer and diabetes, earlier and more vigilant screening is non-negotiable, alongside routine mammography, cervical screening and skin checks.What I appreciated most was the overall strategy. This was not about changing everything, but about fine-tuning what already works. "From a longevity perspective, the focus now is on refinement rather than change," Dr Steven said. "Being consistent with resistance and aerobic training, distributing protein evenly across meals, and supporting recovery will help protect muscle and bone over time. One area to monitor is blood pressure, which was elevated on a single reading and should be rechecked to determine whether it’s situational or persistent. With wearables now integrated into Everlab, clinicians can also use day-to-day data on sleep, activity and recovery to add important context and fine-tune these strategies over time, rather than relying on isolated snapshots."So, was it worth the money? For me, absolutely. Not because it delivered perfection, but because it delivered precision. Instead of vague advice to eat well and exercise, I now have a clear, personalised roadmap for how to protect my health through the next decade of hormonal change.Longevity testing is not about obsession or control. It is about understanding where you truly stand, so you can age proactively rather than reactively. What it gave me most was confidence, not the false reassurance of being told everything is fine, but the quiet confidence that comes from knowing exactly what matters, and exactly what to do next.