How we score and rank blood test providers
Every provider is scored on the same six criteria with fixed weights. Here's exactly how it works – and what we don't let influence it.
The six criteria
Each criterion is scored from 0 to 5 in steps of 0.1. The overall score is the weighted average, rounded to one decimal place.
| Criterion | Weight | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| Price and value | 25% | What you pay per useful biomarker, including any extra fees. |
| Biomarker coverage | 25% | How many of the eight core longevity markers are available, and what else is included. |
| Lab quality and sample method | 20% | Who runs the analysis, how it is accredited, and how reliable the sample method is. |
| Doctor review and support | 15% | Whether a qualified clinician reviews your results and how easy it is to ask questions. |
| Turnaround and convenience | 10% | How quickly and easily you get from ordering to results. |
| Transparency and privacy | 5% | Clear pricing, honest marketing and careful handling of health data. |
Price and value (25%)
What you pay per useful biomarker, including any extra fees.
- Headline price and the price of the panel most people actually buy
- Cost per biomarker, counting only markers relevant to proactive health tracking
- Hidden or extra costs: venous draw fees, shipping, doctor review, subscriptions
- How easy it is to cancel a subscription
Biomarker coverage (25%)
How many of the eight core longevity markers are available, and what else is included.
- Which of the core eight are offered: ApoB, Lp(a), HbA1c, hs-CRP, vitamin D, ferritin, testosterone, TSH
- Whether useful companions are included (for example a lipid panel with ApoB, or free T4 with TSH)
- Whether you can add single markers without buying a bigger package
Lab quality and sample method (20%)
Who runs the analysis, how it is accredited, and how reliable the sample method is.
- Lab accreditation (for example ISO 15189, UKAS in the UK, CAP/CLIA in the US)
- Finger-prick, home-nurse or clinic venous draw, and which markers each supports
- Published failed-sample rate and re-test policy
Doctor review and support (15%)
Whether a qualified clinician reviews your results and how easy it is to ask questions.
- Doctor review included, optional or not available
- Quality and clarity of the written comments
- What happens when a result is flagged: call-backs, advice to see your own doctor
Turnaround and convenience (10%)
How quickly and easily you get from ordering to results.
- Working days from the lab receiving the sample to results
- Delivery and return options, clinic availability
- Results dashboard: history, trends and downloadable reports
Transparency and privacy (5%)
Clear pricing, honest marketing and careful handling of health data.
- Clear explanation of what is and isn't tested
- No claims that a test diagnoses or prevents disease
- Privacy policy, where data is stored and whether it is shared or sold
The eight core markers
Biomarker coverage is judged mainly on the eight markers that come up most in longevity testing: ApoB, Lp(a), HbA1c, hs-CRP, vitamin D, ferritin, testosterone and TSH. A bigger total biomarker count doesn't automatically mean a better score – we care about markers that are useful for proactive tracking.
How we collect information
- Prices, panels and turnaround times come from each provider's public website and checkout. [PLACEHOLDER: state whether you also place test orders yourselves, and how often]
- We record the lowest advertised price for a full panel, excluding temporary discounts and coupon codes.
- Lab accreditation is checked against the accreditation body's public register where one exists.
- Where a provider gives us information directly, we verify it before publishing.
How often we update
We re-check prices and panels at least [PLACEHOLDER: monthly] and update scores when something material changes. Every comparison, price and review page shows the date it was last checked.
Independence
- Providers can't pay to be included, to change a score, or to move up a ranking.
- We include relevant providers whether or not we have an affiliate partnership with them.
- Commission rates are never part of the scoring, and the people who write reviews don't see them. [PLACEHOLDER: confirm this matches how your team works]
- If we have any other relationship with a provider, we say so on its review.
Medical review
We're appointing a medically qualified reviewer. Until then, our health content is written from published clinical guidelines and is not medically reviewed – please treat it as general information and talk to your doctor about your own results.
What we don't do
- We don't sell tests or analyse samples.
- We don't give medical advice or interpret individual results.
- We don't claim that any test detects, prevents or diagnoses disease.
Corrections
If you spot something out of date or wrong, tell us. We aim to check and correct errors within [PLACEHOLDER: e.g. five working days], and we note significant corrections on the page.