Determination of Biological age using telomeric length studies

The biological age test measures the length of your telomeres and uses it to estimate how your cells are ageing compared with your age in years. It is a wellness test: it gives you a starting point for conversations about lifestyle and health, not a diagnosis.

What the test looks for

Telomeres are protective caps of repeated DNA at the ends of each chromosome, a little like the plastic tips on shoelaces. Every time a cell divides, the telomeres get slightly shorter, so on average they shorten as we get older. When they become too short, cells stop dividing or work less well.

The lab measures your telomere length with real-time PCR and compares it with typical values for people of different ages. The result is reported as an estimated biological age. Telomere length is shaped by many things at once, including genes, long-term stress, sleep, smoking, diet and physical activity, which is why two people of the same age can have quite different results.

Who might consider it

• Adults who want a baseline measure of how they are ageing, for example when starting a new exercise, nutrition or sleep routine
• People who like to track wellness markers over time and plan to repeat the test after a few years
• Anyone curious about how lifestyle factors may relate to ageing at the cell level

It is not a test for any disease, and it is not usually needed for medical care. If you have symptoms or a health concern, speak to a doctor first.

Before you book

The lab needs several samples for this test: blood in three different tubes and eight cheek (buccal) swabs. Our team collects them at your home or office anywhere in Dubai, or at our lab in Al Karama or Al Barsha 1, and tells you exactly what is involved when you book. The lab asks for a signed consent form and your relevant medical history with the sample, as it does for all genetic tests. Results are usually ready in about 15 days.

Understanding your results

Your report gives your estimated biological age alongside your actual age. A biological age that is higher than your actual age suggests your telomeres are shorter than average for your age group; a lower one suggests they are longer.

Keep the result in perspective. Telomere length is one measure among many. It cannot tell you how long you will live, whether you will develop a particular condition, or what you should change. Results from different laboratories and methods are not directly comparable, so if you want to track changes over time, repeat the same test.

The most useful next step is to review the result with a doctor or a qualified health professional, who can put it alongside your health history, blood tests and lifestyle and help you decide what, if anything, to work on.