What longevity medicine clinics typically offer
The core offer at most longevity medicine clinics is some combination of:
Comprehensive biomarker testing - far more extensive than a standard annual physical. This often includes conventional labs plus markers like IGF-1, DHEA-S, sex hormone panels, thyroid markers, inflammatory markers (CRP, homocysteine, IL-6), cardiovascular risk markers (Lp(a), ApoB), and sometimes genetic or epigenetic testing.
Hormone optimization - physician-supervised management of testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, and growth hormone-related peptides like sermorelin or tesamorelin. These are prescription interventions and should be managed by a physician with prescribing authority.
Metabolic health assessment - glucose monitoring (including continuous glucose monitor programs), insulin sensitivity testing, body composition measurement (DEXA or equivalent), VO2 max and cardiovascular fitness assessment.
NAD+ therapy - intravenous or intramuscular NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) infusions or oral/injectable precursors like NMN. NAD+ levels decline with age, and supplementation has theoretical benefits for cellular energy and DNA repair, though clinical evidence is still developing.
Peptide programs - physician-supervised programs involving FDA-approved or compounded peptides aimed at body composition, recovery, sleep quality, or sexual health.
Lifestyle and health coaching - some longevity clinics include or require health coaching, nutrition planning, and exercise programming as part of their programs.
What has solid evidence behind it
It is worth distinguishing between what is well-established and what is experimental within longevity medicine:
Stronger evidence base:
- Testosterone replacement therapy for documented hypogonadism in men
- Hormone management in women around perimenopause and menopause
- Tesamorelin (FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy, used off-label for body composition)
- Sermorelin (stimulates natural growth hormone release)
- GLP-1/GIP agonists for weight management and metabolic health
- Cardiovascular risk factor management (lipids, blood pressure, glucose)
- VO2 max as a cardiovascular health marker with strong mortality outcome data
Promising but still developing evidence:
- NAD+ supplementation and its clinical effects in humans
- Some peptide therapies for recovery and sleep quality
- Epigenetic age testing as a clinical decision tool
More experimental or limited evidence:
- Many anti-aging supplement protocols
- Some regenerative therapies (PRP, stem cells) in longevity contexts
- Specific "biological age reversal" interventions
A reputable longevity clinic should be transparent about where the evidence is strong and where they are working at the frontier of clinical research.
How to evaluate a longevity clinic's testing approach
The comprehensiveness of testing at a longevity clinic is sometimes sold as a feature in itself - but more tests are not automatically better. What matters is whether:
- The testing informs clinical decisions, not just generates a report
- A physician reviews results with you and explains what they mean for your health
- Follow-up testing is used to track changes over time
- The testing is proportionate to your clinical situation and goals
Questions to ask:
- What baseline tests do you run, and what is the clinical rationale for each one?
- Who reviews my results - a physician or a wellness coordinator?
- How do test results translate into specific recommendations or interventions?
- What is the follow-up cadence for re-testing?
A clinic that runs a 50-biomarker panel and sends you a PDF report without a physician consultation is selling you data, not medical care.
NAD+ therapy: what to know
NAD+ is a coenzyme involved in cellular energy production and DNA repair. Levels decline with age, and there is genuine scientific interest in whether restoring NAD+ levels has clinically meaningful benefits. Animal studies are promising. Human clinical trial data is more limited.
In practice, longevity clinics offer NAD+ primarily as:
- IV infusions (typically $200-600 per session, sometimes more)
- IM injections
- Oral supplements (NMN, NR) - lower cost, uncertain bioavailability compared to IV
If you are considering NAD+ therapy, questions worth asking include:
- What clinical evidence do you rely on when recommending this?
- How will we measure whether it is having an effect?
- Are there any contraindications given my health history?
- What side effects should I be aware of (IV NAD+ can cause significant discomfort during infusion)?
What a longevity clinic appointment typically costs
Longevity medicine tends to be expensive because it is almost entirely out of pocket. Most insurance plans do not cover preventive optimization services.
Typical cost ranges:
- Initial comprehensive assessment (consultation + biomarker panel): $500-3,000
- Follow-up consultations: $150-400 each
- Hormone management (ongoing): $100-500/month depending on medications and monitoring
- NAD+ IV infusions: $200-600 per session
- Peptide programs: $150-500/month
- Annual membership programs (some clinics): $3,000-10,000/year
These are ranges - costs vary significantly by clinic, location, and what is included.
Questions to ask before committing to a longevity clinic
- Who is the lead physician, and what are their credentials and specialty background?
- Is this a direct patient-physician relationship, or will I primarily interact with health coaches or coordinators?
- What is included in the initial membership or program fee, and what is billed separately?
- How do you decide which interventions to recommend for a given patient?
- Where do you draw the line between evidence-based medicine and experimental treatment?
Find longevity medicine clinics near you and compare physician credentials, service focus, and program structure.