Step by Step · Total 4 – 8 weeks

How a BioAge test works

From ordering to final report — what actually happens, on what timeline and what to watch for during sample collection so the result isn't compromised at step 3.

1
Time: 30 min research

Choose a test

Decide between an epigenetic clock (DNA methylation), a glycan clock (inflammation proxy) or a functional blood panel. Criteria: budget, privacy preference (EU vs US lab), use case (one-shot or trajectory), sample-type tolerance (fingerstick, saliva, venous).

Beginner tip: start with an affordable entry (PhenoAge via myDNAge, omega-3 index) and upgrade later if needed, rather than going straight to the $499 premium test.
2
Time: 3 – 7 days delivery

Order the kit

Order directly from the provider's website. Pay by card or PayPal. The kit ships by post — usually a small cardboard box with sample collection materials, instructions in English and a prepaid return envelope.

International shipping for TruDiagnostic, GlycanAge and Epimorphy is straightforward. Customs declarations are handled by the provider.
3
Time: 10 – 20 min

Collect the sample

The most important step — measurement quality is decided here. Sample collection method varies by provider:

Dried bloodFingerstick with included lancet, 4 – 5 drops on a sample card.
SalivaSpit into a tube up to the marker, activate the preservation buffer.
Buccal swabCotton-tip scrape on the inside of your cheek.
Important: let the dried blood card air-dry for 2 – 4 hours, follow instructions exactly. A contaminated or under-blooded sample produces "insufficient sample" warnings, and the test has to be redone.
4
Time: 3 – 10 days transit

Mail the sample

Return the sample in the included prepaid envelope. Postage is paid by the provider. International transit (US): 7 – 10 days. EU-internal (GlycanAge): 2 – 3 days.

Samples are stable at room temperature for several weeks. Don't leave in direct sun or above 40 °C — avoid hot car interiors in summer.
5
Time: 3 – 8 weeks

Lab analysis

For epigenetic clocks: DNA is extracted, bisulfite-converted and run on an Illumina methylation array. Methylation values at hundreds to thousands of CpG sites feed the provider-specific algorithm (GrimAge, PhenoAge, DunedinPACE, OMICmAge).

For GlycanAge, an IgG glycan analysis runs in parallel by UPLC fluorescence. For InsideTracker, classic blood chemistry with algorithmic scoring.
6
Time: 30 – 60 min reading

Read the report

The report arrives digitally via your provider account or as an emailed PDF. Typical content: biological age (in years or PACE value), comparison to a reference population at your chronological age, breakdowns by health dimensions (cardiovascular, immune, metabolic), lifestyle suggestions.

Lifestyle suggestions in reports are often generic (training, sleep, stress). The genuinely valuable data is the score itself — not the auto-generated "what to do" list.
7
Time: 6 – 12 months until retest

Interpret and retest

A single measurement is a starting point. Only the trajectory across a second and third measurement reveals whether specific lifestyle changes — consistent resistance training, a sauna routine, a nutrition shift, a supplement stack — produce measurable impact. DunedinPACE responds faster (3 – 6 months) than static clocks (typically 12 months).

For clinically conspicuous values or large discrepancies (e.g. biological age 10+ years above chronological), discuss with an experienced physician — not as panic response, just as a normal differential check.
Disclaimer: This flow is typical, not contractual. Providers vary. Informational only — not medical advice. For health questions or unexpected results please consult a qualified physician.