Biomarker glossary

Plain-English guides to the blood biomarkers behind your bettr age: what each one is, why it matters, and what optimal tends to look like. Information, not a diagnosis.

Heart & lipids

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)

A count of the cholesterol-carrying particles most associated with clogged arteries.

LDL cholesterol

The cholesterol carried by LDL particles - a long-standing heart-risk marker.

HDL cholesterol

Cholesterol carried by HDL particles, often described as protective.

Triglycerides

The main circulating fat, sensitive to diet, alcohol and metabolic health.

Lipoprotein(a)

A largely inherited lipoprotein that adds independent cardiovascular risk.

Omega-3 Index

The proportion of omega-3 fats (EPA + DHA) in your red blood cell membranes.

Metabolic

HbA1c

Your average blood sugar over the past ~2-3 months, in one number.

Fasting glucose

Blood sugar after an overnight fast - a snapshot of glucose control.

Fasting insulin

How hard your pancreas is working to keep glucose normal - an early metabolic signal.

Inflammation

High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP)

A sensitive marker of low-grade, body-wide inflammation.

Homocysteine

An amino acid linked to B-vitamin status and vascular health.

Nutrients

Ferritin

Your body’s stored-iron marker - informative at both low and high ends.

Vitamin D (25-OH)

The standard marker of vitamin D status, relevant to bone and immune health.

Vitamin B12

A vitamin essential for nerves and blood cells, worth watching on plant-based diets.

Magnesium

A mineral involved in hundreds of processes, from muscle to metabolism.

Folate

A B-vitamin essential for blood cells and, with B12, for homocysteine metabolism.

Thyroid

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

The pituitary’s signal to the thyroid - the first-line thyroid screen.

Free T4

The active thyroid hormone level, usually read alongside TSH.

Hormones

Testosterone

The main androgen, relevant to energy, muscle, mood and libido - and read differently by sex.

Cortisol

The main stress hormone, following a strong daily rhythm.

Liver

ALT (liver enzyme)

A liver enzyme that rises when liver cells are stressed.

GGT (liver enzyme)

A liver enzyme sensitive to alcohol and bile-flow issues.

Kidney

eGFR (kidney function)

An estimate of how well your kidneys are filtering, from a blood test.

Creatinine

A muscle by-product the kidneys clear - the basis for the eGFR estimate.

Uric acid

A waste product linked to gout and metabolic health.

See your own numbers

bettr.now measures these markers, scores them against optimal, and reads them as one plain-English story: your bettr age.

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