Whether you’re a health enthusiast or a fan of the Kardashians, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of biological age tests. As demonstrated by reality TV’s most famous family, these tests are gaining popularity, and it’s not hard to see why.
Your biological age indicates how well you’re ageing, while your chronological age is based on your date of birth. When it comes to living healthier lives for longer, there are obvious benefits to knowing how you’re ageing biologically.
Interestingly, research suggests that you can improve your biological age by making lifestyle changes, which is one of the key drivers behind the popularity of biological age tests.
If you get good results, you can enjoy knowing your efforts to live well appear to be paying off. On the other hand, if your results are worse than you’d like, knowing there’s a problem could be the first step in fixing it.
But what does it feel like to discover that your biological age is significantly higher than it should be? From my experience, it’s quite scary. Earlier this year, I decided to explore my biological age by taking two different tests, and I was completely unprepared for what happened next, as first reported by the Mirror.
At the time, I was 24 years old. I had no known health issues and thought my lifestyle was relatively healthy. I knew my diet wasn’t great because it was high in ultra-processed food, and I needed to improve my sleep and stress levels, but I wasn’t aware of any other problems.
I don’t smoke, I don’t drink alcohol regularly, and I mix up my workouts. Indeed, the first biological age test I took had a positive result. I was offered to try a PNOE metabolic breath test, which involved running on a treadmill while wearing a mask to monitor my aerobic capacity, cardiovascular fitness, and fat-burning efficiency.
Amber was shocked when she completed the biological age test
(Image: Amber O’Connor)
Upon completion, the expert who supervised my physical test said most of my results were average or above, and my biological age was estimated to be 22. However, it was the GlycanAge blood test I took a few days later that truly piqued my interest, and it produced a concerning result. Named after the glycans, or small sugar molecules, that the test investigates, GlycanAge ‘looks through the lens of the immune system’.
GlycanAge utilises an at-home finger prick test to gauge chronic inflammation. A few weeks after your sample is analysed in the lab, your results are disclosed during a virtual consultation with one of the team’s specialists.
Paula Franceković, the specialist I spoke with, had the daunting task of informing me that my biological age was 53, a shocking 29 years older than my actual age at the time. For context, GlycanAge said that 68 per cent of their clients receive a result that varies by plus or minus nine years, 95 per cent of clients receive a result that varies by plus or minus 18 years, and less than 5 per cent of clients receive a result that varies more than 18 years compared to their actual age.
In other words, it wasn’t the news I was hoping for. I felt like a cartoon character with stars spinning around their head after a shock, even as Paula advised me not to panic. ‘What’s wrong with me?’ I worried, as the expert walked me through my results and what steps I could take next.
Paula recommended that I consult my GP and suggested a comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid profile, thyroid function tests, and checking my vitamin and mineral levels. She also gave me dietary advice, such as increasing my protein intake and including healthy fats, and highlighted key areas where I could improve my lifestyle. It was advice I was eager to follow.
I try to stay active and workout regularly
(Image: Amber O’Connor)
While I thought my results were both thorough and helpful, the test couldn’t answer my burning question: why exactly was my result so high? The GlycanAge test is not a diagnostic tool, nor does it claim to be. Rather, it offers insights into potential health risks and areas where intervention may be needed.
After discussing my concerns with my GP, I was sent for a blood test which revealed I had a vitamin B12 deficiency. However, my doctor didn’t find anything else to indicate that I might have an underlying health condition. I was relieved, but it also left me worried something could have been missed.
Where does that leave me now? In the months following my test, I’ve been making efforts to adopt a healthier lifestyle, in the hope that I’ll score a lower age when I retake the test. Paula suggested retesting within six to nine months, with data from GlycanAge indicating that positive improvements are not only achievable but common among clients.
GlycanAge has reported that 67% of its returning customers have seen an improvement in their biological age, meaning they’ve managed to lower it. According to statistics from May 2023, 80% of these clients have reduced their biological age by one to five years, and 20% have reduced theirs by more than five years —figures GlycanAge believe will have increased since then.
I’m hoping for similar results, though I’m anxious that something else could be behind my score that’s not yet apparent. Of course, I have already made an important discovery. I’m glad that I discovered my low B12 levels. If left untreated, Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia can lead to irreversible problems.
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But I’m left wondering if there’s another reason behind my additional 30 years, which goes beyond my stress, sleep, and diet. It’s something that will stick with me, at least until I take the test again. If my score remains high, I’m not sure where I’ll go from there.
All of which is to say my testing experience has been much more complex than I expected. I’m grateful I got the chance to try GlycanAge. If nothing else, it’s motivation to make the lifestyle changes I suspected I needed to make. On a more serious level, it’s got me on the lookout for any possible symptoms I may or may not develop in the future
My experience feels like opening Pandora’s Box. Have I just unleashed something terrible that can’t be undone? Well, it was a scary discovery, but one I’m hopeful I can use to bring about positive change. Now that the box has been opened, there’s no turning back, and even if I could seal it shut, I wouldn’t want to.
Amber was offered a complimentary GlycanAge test as part of her review. The GlycanAge test costs £289 for a single test and consultation, with package options available. Normally, two tests and consultations would cost £578, but they are currently discounted to £492. If you have any health concerns, consult your GP.