Buyer guides
How to choose in this category, with verified prices and honest trade-offs.
Diagnostics buyer FAQ
What is the best longevity diagnostic in 2026?
Depends on what you're trying to learn. For comprehensive biomarker tracking with AI insights, Function Health ($365/yr for 160+ biomarkers 2x/year) is the editor's pick. For clinician-led hormone optimization, Marek Health is the gold standard. For full-body cancer screening, Prenuvo whole-body MRI ($999-2,499). For epigenetic age, TruDiagnostic TruAge. For multi-cancer early detection blood test, Galleri.
Function Health vs InsideTracker?
Function Health ($365/yr) tests 160+ biomarkers 2x/year with AI insights and clinician review - the comprehensive longevity-medicine play. InsideTracker ($300+ per panel, no subscription required) tests fewer markers with optimized recommendation engine - better for spot baselines and trying out lab tracking before committing. For serious longevity buyers, Function Health is the deeper investment; for first-time lab buyers, InsideTracker is the lower-friction starting point.
Is whole-body MRI worth the cost?
Prenuvo whole-body MRI ($999-2,499) is the most controversial diagnostic in the longevity space. The case for: catches incidental findings traditional preventive care misses (small tumors, aneurysms, structural abnormalities). The case against: high false-positive rate, the worry generated often outweighs the actual clinical utility, and no major medical society currently endorses it as routine screening. For buyers with personal or family cancer history, the math may favor it. For everyone else, it's a buyer-preference decision rather than a clear medical-necessity one.
How often should I run lab work?
For longevity-focused tracking, 2x per year is the consensus among longevity practitioners - once at baseline, once at 6 months to assess intervention response. Function Health bundles this cadence at $365/yr. For active hormone optimization protocols (TRT, peptides), every 90 days is standard while titrating, dropping to every 6 months once stable. For one-time baseline curiosity buyers, an annual InsideTracker or single-visit panel is sufficient.
The Longevity Gear Buyer's Checklist
The specs that actually decide whether a sauna, cold plunge, red light panel, or smart ring is worth it, plus the real price range for each. Get the free PDF, plus one weekly email on the gear worth buying.
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