Telomere Test

Only for Germany and Austria

• We would like to point out that these tests and the shipping processes are optimized for Germany and Austria and are prepaid.
• Samples must be delivered to the German laboratory within 4 days. This cannot be guaranteed for samples shipped from other countries!
• Orders from countries other than Germany and Austria are therefore at your own risk. In this case, we only accept the payment method "Prepayment (directly to us)", as customers cannot then cancel the purchase, e.g., because the sample arrived at the laboratory unusable through their own fault. Purchases made with any other payment methods that customers could unlawfully reverse will be immediately canceled and refunded.
• You can find more information about this from the manufacturer!

Is my chronological age the same as my actual biological age?

The telomere test provides a concrete answer to this question. This self-test measures telomere length; a specific blood biomarker that can provide an indication of the body’s cells’ ability to divide and, consequently, of biological age.

Please note: A blood sample must be taken by a doctor or therapist for this test. They will settle the cost of the blood sample directly with us by using a pre-prepared invoice included in the test kit.

When is the telomere test worth it for me?

A telomere test is useful for anyone who wants to gain clarity about their biological age. This is determined by a wide range of factors, with genetic aspects accounting for only around 20 per cent of the total. Furthermore, the stability of our DNA – which is organised into chromosomes within our cells together with proteins – is of crucial importance. At their ends, chromosomes have specific protective structures that contribute to the stability of the DNA – the telomeres.

Telomere length can serve as a measure of biological age and is influenced by an individual’s lifestyle. In particular, unhealthy daily habits and lifestyles, such as high nicotine and alcohol consumption, a lack of exercise and an unbalanced diet, are decisive factors. These factors can accelerate telomere shortening in our cells and, consequently, cellular ageing. A healthy lifestyle, on the other hand, can have a positive impact on the ageing process. Knowing your biological age can therefore serve as motivation to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

How does the medivere telomere test work?

Taking a sample

Your personal results will be sent to you by post or online via the results portal after approximately 5–7 days. The telomere length results allow you to assess your personal biological age.

What values are analysed in the telomere test?

The telomere test determines the relative mean telomere length (LTL) in white blood cells (leukocytes). To do this, the lengths of the telomeres and a specific DNA segment – the length of which is constant in all humans (the single-copy gene) – are measured. The T/S ratio (telomere length to single-copy gene length ratio) is then calculated. The result is defined as the relative mean telomere length (LTL).

Finally, the test results are compared with data from people of a similar age. Your results are categorised against the average values, providing you with information about your telomere length and, consequently, your biological age.

These are the risk factors that contribute to accelerated ageing.

You can influence approximately 80% of your biological age yourself. Only a small proportion of this is genetically determined. Sufficient exercise and physical activity, stress reduction and a healthy, balanced diet have a positive influence on telomere length, which is linked to the ageing process and individual life expectancy. Those who lead a healthy life can also age healthily. The results of the telomere test provide insight into whether you are making progress in this regard.

Telomeres have a decisive influence on the ageing process.

Telomeres are the end sections of DNA. They consist of approximately 7,000 to 12,000 repeating TTAGGG sequences, which shorten with every cell division. Consequently, the number of possible cell divisions is limited to around 50 to 60. When telomeres reach a critical length, their ability to divide ceases, and the cell is either put into a dormant state or dies. This reduces the tissue’s overall regenerative capacity and promotes the development of age-related diseases. Telomere length therefore has a significant influence on human life expectancy.

The enzyme telomerase can be regarded as a kind of repair mechanism for telomeres. It counteracts the loss of telomere caps by actively lengthening them, thereby contributing to the stability of chromosomes and the preservation of cells. One’s own lifestyle and environmental factors can influence telomerase activity. Making changes towards a healthy lifestyle can boost telomerase activity and help to reduce the risk of certain diseases.

What are the consequences of telomeres becoming progressively shorter?

The age-related reduction in cell division capacity and the shortening of telomeres have a direct impact on the ageing process, organ function and immune performance. In addition to damaging the immune system, progressive telomere shortening increases the risk of developing various age-related conditions such as:

• diabetes mellitus
• Hypertension
• Atherosclerotic disease
• Myocardial infarction
• Stroke

How to positively influence biological age

Telomeres can be affected by various forms of damage and changes, with an unhealthy lifestyle being a major contributing factor. Insufficient exercise, smoking and other unhealthy lifestyle factors can accelerate cell division and thus hasten the shortening of telomeres. Furthermore, these factors can reduce telomerase activity and thus the active lengthening of telomeres. This means that everyone can, to a certain extent, influence their own ageing process.
Telomere test results and recommendations for action

A diagnostic evaluation of the test results will inform you whether the telomere lengths of your white blood cells fall within the normal range and thus correspond to the average values for your age group. In the event of significant deviations, particularly in the negative direction, we advise you to discuss the results with your doctor or therapist. The test results can therefore serve as a preventative measure and as an incentive to adopt a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent age-related diseases.
Monitoring telomere lengths following lifestyle changes

The extent to which you can slow down the biological ageing process depends primarily on your own efforts and on how well you manage to lead a healthy lifestyle. If you use the telomere test to reduce risk factors for telomere shortening in your life, we advise you to repeat the test after around 6 to 12 months.

The test kit contains:

• 1 sample collection guide
• 1 sample submission form
• 1 guarantee certificate
• 1 medical invoice
• 1 serum tube
• 1 butterfly blood collection system
• 1 blood collection adapter
• 1 shipping container
• 1 shipping bag

How does the ordering process work?

Once you have placed your order, the test kit you have chosen will be sent to you along with detailed instructions. You place your sample in a sample tube, send it in the provided envelope to Mediveres’ partner laboratory, GANZIMMUN Diagnostics GmbH, and will receive your results, including an assessment of your profile, within 5–7 days.