Life Extension vs Marek Health Base
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
Marek Health Base
26.0 biomarkers per $100
Most Comprehensive
Marek Health Base
65 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
Marek Health Base
Annual Cost$250
Tests per Year1
Total Biomarkers65
Cost per Test$250
Service Details
| Feature | Life Extension | Marek Health Base |
|---|---|---|
| Lab Locations | Quest locations | Nationwide |
| Key Features | Male/Female Elite panels, free wellness specialist consultation, 250+ individual tests available | Hormone optimization focus, TRT support, venipuncture included, Male/Female panels, custom panel builder |
| 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 | Base panel. 4 tiers available ($250-$1,950). 45-min expert review sessions available. Heavy metals testing option |
Biomarker Coverage Comparison
38
Tests in Common
15
Only in Life Extension
2
Only in Marek Health Base
Tests Only in Life Extension
- TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)(Thyroid Function)
- Free T4 (Thyroxine)(Thyroid Function)
- 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))
- hs-CRP (High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein)(Inflammation &Immune Markers)
- Homocysteine(Inflammation &Immune Markers)
- Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy)(Vitamins &Nutrients)
- Ferritin(Vitamins &Nutrients)
- Cortisol(Stress &Adrenal Function)
- UIBC (Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity)(Vitamins &Nutrients)
Tests Only in Marek Health Base
- GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase)(Liver Function)
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio(Kidney Function)
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 Marek Health Base?
Marek Health Base provides better value with 26.0 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 Marek Health Base cost per year?
Life Extension costs $486 per year for 2,
while Marek Health Base costs $250 per year for 1.
The cost per test is $243
for Life Extension and $250
for Marek Health Base.
What biomarkers does Life Extension test that Marek Health Base doesn't?
Life Extension includes 15 unique biomarkers not found in Marek Health Base's panel.
These include TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), Free T4 (Thyroxine), Total Testosterone, and others.
Can I use insurance with Life Extension or Marek Health Base?
Both Life Extension and Marek Health Base 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 Marek Health Base 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 Marek Health Base uses Nationwide.
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 Marek Health Base?
Marek Health Base is cheaper at $250/year compared to Life Extension at $486/year.
Which tests more biomarkers, Life Extension or Marek Health Base?
Life Extension tests 40+ biomarkers while Marek Health Base tests 65 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 Marek Health Base best for?
Marek Health Base offers 65 biomarkers for $250/year with 1 test(s) per year. Key features include:Hormone optimization focus, TRT support, venipuncture included, Male/Female panels, custom panel builder
Which offers better value, Life Extension or Marek Health Base?
Marek Health Base offers better value with approximately 26.0 biomarkers per $100 spent, compared to Life Extension's 8.2 biomarkers per $100.