Life Extension vs Empirical Health
Complete Head-to-Head Comparison
Compare costs, biomarker coverage, and value to find the best blood testing service for your needs
Quick Comparison Summary
Best Value
Empirical Health
52.6 biomarkers per $100
Most Comprehensive
Empirical Health
100+ biomarkers tested
Most Tests Per Year
Life Extension
2 tests/year
Cost & Value Comparison
Life Extension
Annual Cost$486
Tests per Year2
Total Biomarkers40+
Cost per Test$243
Empirical Health
Annual Cost$190
Tests per Year1
Total Biomarkers100+
Cost per Test$190
Service Details
| Feature | Life Extension | Empirical Health |
|---|---|---|
| Lab Locations | Quest locations | 2200+ locations |
| Key Features | Male/Female Elite panels, free wellness specialist consultation, 250+ individual tests available | Personalized MD video visit included, doctor messaging, custom nutrition plan, exercise routines, mobile app |
| Notes | Annual sale pricing $243/test. 2024-2025 updates:added Cortisol, TIBC, UIBC, Iron Saturation. NMR LipoProfile and Omega-3 Index available. HSA/FSA eligible | $190 per test with MD video visit included. Single lab visit. HSA/FSA eligible |
Biomarker Coverage Comparison
43
Tests in Common
10
Only in Life Extension
42
Only in Empirical Health
Tests Only in Life Extension
- Total Testosterone(Sex Hormones (Male))
- Free Testosterone(Sex Hormones (Male))
- Estradiol (E2)(Sex Hormones (Male))
- PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)(Sex Hormones (Male))
- DHEA-S(Sex Hormones (Male))
- Estradiol (E2)(Sex Hormones (Female))
- Progesterone(Sex Hormones (Female))
- Homocysteine(Inflammation &Immune Markers)
- Cortisol(Stress &Adrenal Function)
- UIBC (Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity)(Vitamins &Nutrients)
Tests Only in Empirical Health
- Lipoprotein (a)(Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health)
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio(Kidney Function)
- Vitamin B12(Vitamins &Nutrients)
- Folate(Vitamins &Nutrients)
- Iron (Serum)(Vitamins &Nutrients)
- TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity)(Vitamins &Nutrients)
- Transferrin Saturation(Additional Specialized Tests)
- Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)(Complete Blood Count (CBC))
- Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1)(Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health)
- Non-HDL Cholesterol(Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health)
- Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio(Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health)
- LDL/HDL Ratio(Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health)
- ApoB/ApoA1 Ratio(Lipid Panel / Cardiovascular Health)
- De Ritis Ratio (AST/ALT)(Liver Function)
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio (A/G)(Kidney Function)
- Urine Appearance(Urinalysis)
- Urine Color(Urinalysis)
- Urine pH(Urinalysis)
- Urine Specific Gravity(Urinalysis)
- Urine Protein(Urinalysis)
- Urine Glucose(Urinalysis)
- Urine Ketones(Urinalysis)
- Urine Bilirubin(Urinalysis)
- Urine Blood (Occult)(Urinalysis)
- Urine Nitrite(Urinalysis)
- Urine Leukocyte Esterase(Urinalysis)
- Urine WBC(Urinalysis)
- Urine RBC(Urinalysis)
- Urine Bacteria(Urinalysis)
- Squamous Epithelial Cells (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Transitional Epithelial Cells (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Renal Epithelial Cells (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Hyaline Casts (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Granular Casts (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Urine Crystals(Urinalysis)
- Calcium Oxalate Crystals (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Uric Acid Crystals (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Triple Phosphate Crystals (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Yeast (Urine)(Urinalysis)
- Band Neutrophils(Complete Blood Count (CBC))
- Reactive Lymphocytes(Complete Blood Count (CBC))
- Reducing Substances (Urine)(Urinalysis)
Complete Biomarker Comparison by Category
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Ready to Choose?
Based on this comparison, make an informed decision about your blood testing provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Which provider is better:Life Extension or Empirical Health?
Empirical Health provides better value with 52.6 biomarkers per $100 spent, offering more comprehensive coverage for your investment.
However, the best choice depends on your specific health goals, budget, and which biomarkers are most important for your situation.
How much do Life Extension and Empirical Health cost per year?
Life Extension costs $486 per year for 2,
while Empirical Health costs $190 per year for 1.
The cost per test is $243
for Life Extension and $190
for Empirical Health.
What biomarkers does Life Extension test that Empirical Health doesn't?
Life Extension includes 10 unique biomarkers not found in Empirical Health's panel.
These include Total Testosterone, Free Testosterone, Estradiol (E2), and others.
Can I use insurance with Life Extension or Empirical Health?
Both Life Extension and Empirical Health are direct-to-consumer services that typically don't accept insurance.
However, you may be able to submit receipts to your insurance for reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefits,
or use HSA/FSA funds for payment. Check with your insurance provider and the testing companies for specific policies.
How often should I get blood work done?
Most health optimization experts recommend testing 2-4 times per year to establish baselines and track trends.
Life Extension includes 2 in their annual membership,
while Empirical Health includes 1.
More frequent testing allows you to track the effectiveness of interventions and catch changes early.
Where can I get blood drawn for these tests?
Life Extension uses Quest locations,
while Empirical Health uses 2200+ locations.
Both typically have thousands of collection centers nationwide. You'll schedule your blood draw through their platform after ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, Life Extension or Empirical Health?
Empirical Health is cheaper at $190/year compared to Life Extension at $486/year.
Which tests more biomarkers, Life Extension or Empirical Health?
Life Extension tests 40+ biomarkers while Empirical Health tests 100+ biomarkers.
What is Life Extension best for?
Life Extension offers 40+ biomarkers for $486/year with 2 test(s) per year. Key features include:Male/Female Elite panels, free wellness specialist consultation, 250+ individual tests available
What is Empirical Health best for?
Empirical Health offers 100+ biomarkers for $190/year with 1 test(s) per year. Key features include:Personalized MD video visit included, doctor messaging, custom nutrition plan, exercise routines, mobile app
Which offers better value, Life Extension or Empirical Health?
Empirical Health offers better value with approximately 52.6 biomarkers per $100 spent, compared to Life Extension's 8.2 biomarkers per $100.