Longevity isn’t just about living longer—it’s about making those years vibrant, healthy, and fulfilling. But here’s the key fact most people are missing: the best way to add years to your life isn’t by working harder. It’s by working smarter. Thanks to cutting-edge technology and modern medicine, we now have tools that allow you to get crystal clear on what habits, medications, and strategies are uniquely right for you. The problem? Most doctors are still stuck in a “wait for disease” approach, overlooking essential tests that can detect risks early and reveal your biggest opportunities to add healthy years to your life.
Imagine not guessing. Imagine knowing exactly where you stand today—and what steps will make the biggest impact on your longevity tomorrow.
At Healthspan MD, we specialize in proactive healthcare designed to help you live longer and better. Whether you’re an athlete fine-tuning your health or someone just starting your wellness journey, our approach focuses on the three essentials of longevity: a strong body, a sharp mind, and cutting-edge, proactive medical care. Don’t wait—schedule an appointment today and take the first step towards a healthier, longer life.
During arecent episode of our podcast,Dr. Robert Hurst discussed the top 10 essential longevity tests that your doctor may not be doing. If you’re ready to embrace this new age of healthcare and discover how to unlock 10-14 additional vibrant years (or more), this blog will walk you through the 10 essential longevity tests your doctor isn’t doing—but should be. Each test provides crucial insights that empower you to take control of your health with confidence and precision.
Ready to work smarter, not harder? Let’s dive in.
Test 1: Lipoprotein (a)
To best understand Lipoprotein (a), or LP (a), it's helpful to first understand LDL cholesterol. Often referred to as 'bad' cholesterol, LDL is a crucial component of our body and helps create hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids. However, high levels of LDL can lead to artery-clogging plaque deposits that put us at risk for heart disease.
LP (a) is a separate protein on the LDL particle that acts as an additional risk factor for cardiovascular disease, making it especially important to track for those with a family history of heart disease or early indications of arterial issues.
Unfortunately, most doctors only test for traditional LDL and HDL cholesterol, letting high LP (a) levels go undetected.
While traditional cholesterol levels are closely connected to unhealthy or healthy lifestyle choices, LP (a) is mostly determined by genetics. In other words, you may be predisposed to higher levels regardless of your diet or exercise routine. As Dr. Hurst notes, 'You don't do anything to earn that. You either have it or you don't.'
It's estimated that high LP (a) levels affect about 20% of the population, and knowing if you have elevated levels can help you take more aggressive preventative measures. Plus, because of its hereditary nature, this test isn't only important for you—it can help your family members understand their own risk, as well.
Tests 2 & 3: Fasting Insulin & Hemoglobin A1C
Fasting insulin and hemoglobin A1C tests offer a comprehensive look at your body's ability to manage blood sugar, an essential aspect of long-term health and longevity. These tests measure:
- Fasting Insulin: The amount of insulin in your blood after an overnight fast. Insulin is a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels, and elevated fasting insulin can be an early indicator of insulin resistance—a condition that can lead to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues if not addressed.
- Hemoglobin A1C: Your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. High A1C levels signify poor blood sugar control, which increases the risk of complications like heart disease, nerve damage, and kidney problems.
While most doctors check for blood sugar levels during routine blood work, they may not always include fasting insulin or A1C tests. However, these two indicators can provide more valuable information about your body's overall health and help you make necessary changes to prevent future health issues.
Recalling earlier in his career, Dr. Hurst says that fasting insulin tests weren't part of their standard protocols, so he didn't order them. 'But what I've learned,' he continued, 'is that they really are essential for me to assess somebody's metabolic health.'
After all, it's expected that someone with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes would have some degree of insulin resistance. However, as Dr. Hurst says, 'There's also a population of people that have normal blood sugars, but their insulin levels are high. They generate a lot of insulin to keep those blood sugars down. And that manifests in different ways in different people.'
For example, if a person who has a healthy diet and regular exercise routine is struggling to lose weight, insulin resistance may be the culprit, rather than a lack of willpower or a 'slow metabolism.' By understanding your body's unique insulin response, you can work towards the most effective strategies for weight loss and overall health.
If your goal is to extend your life expectancy, avoiding insulin resistance and maximizing insulin sensitivity is 'key,' Dr. Hurst says. 'That's where the fasting insulin and A1C come in. '
Test 4: Uric Acid
Uric acid is a waste product found in the blood, created when the body breaks down substances called purines. Purines exist naturally in your body and can also be found in certain foods and beverages, such as red meat, seafood, and alcohol.
Normally, uric acid dissolves in the blood, passes through the kidneys, and is eliminated from the body through urine. However, when there's an overproduction or under-excretion of uric acid, it can lead to elevated levels in the bloodstream, a condition known as hyperuricemia. This can cause the formation of crystals in the joints, leading to gout, or contribute to kidney stones and other renal issues.
'This is often an overlooked test,' says Dr. Hurst. Though it may be checked if your doctor suspects gout, it's not typically tested as part of a comprehensive health exam. However, research has shown that uric acid can help determine a person's risk ofcardiovascular issues,metabolic syndrome, and evenhigh blood pressure.
'I always tell my patients, 'It would be really embarrassing for us if we're treating your blood pressure with medications and find out that it was uric acid the whole time that we should have been paying attention to,'' Dr. Hurst says.
Test 5: Arterial Imaging
As we age, plaque can build up in our arteries, impeding blood flow and increasing our risk of cardiovascular issues. With arterial imaging, your doctor can take a look at your arteries, assess any blockages or narrowing, and work with you to create a plan.
Ultrasounds and CT scans are two of the most common imaging methods used to evaluate the health of a person's arteries. These tests are non-invasive and can provide valuable information about plaque build-up, calcium deposits, and blockages in your arteries.
'Why is that valuable?' Dr. Hurst asks. 'It's valuable because when we know the risk, we are really great at preventing heart disease. But understanding the risk can be really challenging.'
As Dr. Hurst notes, once a person has a heart attack, then their doctors know that their risk is high. However, for a third of people with heart disease, the first sign that they have an issue is that they die from a heart attack.
In other words: 'Waiting for that event to occur to determine that you're at high risk—to implement strategies that we know are really effective—just doesn't really make sense.'
For patients with a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol levels, or other risk factors, arterial imaging can be a valuable tool in identifying their risk before more serious issues arise.
'But if we don't know what your risk is, then we may have missed that boat.'
Test 6: Hormone Health
Hormone levels can play a key role in overall health and longevity, influencing everything from weight management to mood and sexual function. As we age, our hormone levels naturally decline, but hormone therapy may be an option for those looking to optimize their health and well-being.
However, due to large shifts in medical opinions about hormone therapy over the years, it's important to work with a doctor who is well-versed in this area and can help you make informed decisions about your health.
Many years ago, the prevailing idea was that all women should start hormone therapy to help prevent heart disease and maintain bone health. Later, studies—later considered flawed—suggested that hormone therapy could increase the risk of heart issues, and as a result, many providers stopped offering hormone therapy to their patients.
'Now that pendulum is swinging back the other way,' Dr. Hurst says. 'Not paying attention to your hormone levels may put you at risk of a lower quality of life, lower mood, [worsening] cognitive function, and [worse] long-term health outcomes.'
No matter if you're a man or a woman, having your hormone levels tested can provide valuable insights into your health and may help uncover underlying issues that could benefit from hormone therapy.
Tests 7 & 8: Muscle Mass & Visceral Fat
'I know most providers in healthcare will pay attention to weight or body mass index,' Dr. Hurst says, 'but the reality is these are really crude measures of health.
During his time at the Mayo Clinic, a famous football player who had been retired for 10 years was on Dr. Hurst's schedule. Though he was known for his speed and agility, Dr. Hurst noticed that his chart said his BMI was 38.
Given that a BMI of 35 is considered morbidly obese, Dr. Hurst thought to himself, 'This man let himself go. I can't believe that this happened to him.'
However, upon walking into the room, Dr. Hurst realized, 'This man was Adonis! I mean, probably a single-digit body fat percentage—incredible shape.'
In other words, weight and BMI alone are rarely able to paint a full picture of a person's health. These measurements can make someone who is in fantastic shape appear to be unhealthy and vice versa. That's where tests of muscle mass and visceral fat come in.
'I've always known muscle is youth,' Dr. Hurst says. 'If we want to stay young, we have to 'keep our muscle.'
Building or maintaining muscle mass through strength training isn't just about looking good—it's about preserving strength, mobility, and independence as we age. Adequate muscle mass can:
- Support joint stability
- Enhance balance
- Reduce risk of injury
- Increase resting metabolic rate
- Improve insulin sensitivity
- Lower risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and osteoporosis
At Healthspan MD, our team usesDEXA scans to measure not only muscle mass but also visceral fat. Visceral fat, which surrounds your internal organs, is often called 'invisible fat,' meaning you can't tell how much of it you have just by looking in the mirror. However, it's also more strongly linked to health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome than subcutaneous fat (the kind found just beneath the skin).
That's why DEXA scans are so important—by measuring not just weight but also muscle and fat distribution in the body, we can get a more complete picture of your overall health and tailor our recommendations accordingly.
Test 9: VO2 Max
'Fitness is one of the best predictors of longevity,' says Dr. Hurst.
VO2 max measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during exercise and is considered the gold standard for determining cardiovascular fitness. This test involves breathing into a mask while exercising on a treadmill or stationary bike, and it provides valuable information about your lung capacity, heart strength, and overall endurance.
In 2018, a research study looked at common predictors of longevity (think things like heart disease, smoking, and end-stage renal disease). Many of its findings were expected, like a person who has heart disease having a 40% higher mortality rate than someone without heart disease. However, this study also assessed participants' fitness using a VO2 test, and that's where things got interesting.
'People that were at low fitness compared to people at elite fitness,' explains Dr. Hurst, 'it wasn't a 40% difference—it was a 500% difference.'
Test 10: Resting Metabolic Rate
'Resting metabolic rate is a pretty simple test to accomplish,' Dr. Hurst says. Typically, it only takes about 15 to 20 minutes. During the test, patients wear a mask that measures their oxygen intake and carbon dioxide output. This data provides insights into how many calories your body burns while at rest, offering a snapshot of your baseline metabolic rate.
'What most people don't understand,' Dr. Hurst continues, 'is that probably 70 to 80% of the calories you burn in a day is resting metabolic rate.'
Without a test like this, it's difficult to accurately determine exactly how much energy your body needs and how you can adjust your diet to support your unique metabolism, stay healthy, and live longer.
Take Charge of Your Health Today
Though most doctors may not be routinely ordering these tests, they are crucial components of a comprehensive approach to health and longevity. As Dr. Hurst says, 'If you're serious about living a long, healthy, and vibrant life, I encourage you to seek out these tests and work with a doctor who takes a proactive approach to your longevity.'
Don't wait for health issues to arise before addressing them. Healthspan MD is here to provide the insights and support you need to make informed health decisions.
Whether you're looking to get a detailed understanding of your body or want to proactively manage your health,requesting an appointment with Healthspan MD is your next step. We're here to support you every step of the way!
