Longevity & Wellness

Longevity and wellness tests are laboratory assessments that provide information about nutritional status, vitamin and mineral levels, or certain genetic characteristics, depending on the scope of the panel selected. The results may help your doctor assess your health needs. There is no single “longevity test” suitable for everyone; tests are selected on an individual basis.

Testing alone does not extend lifespan or stop ageing. Vitamin, mineral and nutritional panels are not direct measurements of biological age either. The purpose of these tests is to support appropriate health and lifestyle decisions by providing information about the markers assessed.

Appropriate tests can be selected for people who wish to assess their nutritional status, follow a restricted diet, or have been advised by their doctor to be investigated for a specific deficiency. Having symptoms does not necessarily mean that you need a comprehensive wellness panel. Which tests are necessary should be assessed in light of your age, symptoms, medical history and the medications you take.

Yes, vitamin B12 deficiency, for example, can cause fatigue and weakness. However, these symptoms alone do not indicate a vitamin deficiency and may not be explained by a wellness panel alone. If your symptoms persist, it is important to have a medical assessment first, followed by the selection of tests appropriate to your needs.

Symptoms and dietary habits may raise suspicion of a deficiency; when necessary, an assessment is carried out using appropriate laboratory tests. The same test is not used for every vitamin and mineral, and not everyone needs a broad panel. Test results should be interpreted taking into account the supplements being used and the person's health status.

Comprehensive testing is not necessary before taking every supplement. However, if a deficiency is suspected or long-term, high-dose supplementation is planned, your doctor may recommend the necessary assessments. Supplements can interact with certain medications; taking more than you need does not mean that you will gain greater benefits.

For people following vegan and vegetarian diets, assessing vitamin B12 status may be particularly important. Other tests are selected according to dietary patterns, symptoms and individual risks. VeggieCheck, offered at Wellcare, is one of the panels designed for vegan and vegetarian diets; whether its scope meets your needs should be assessed in advance.

SopioCheck and ImmuCheck are panels that focus on nutritional markers related to sleep and immunity, respectively. These tests alone do not identify the cause of insomnia or show how strong your immune system is. The results should be considered alongside your symptoms and your doctor's assessment.

A gut microbiota test provides information about the composition and diversity of microorganisms in a stool sample. However, it does not diagnose a disease on its own or definitively determine which probiotic you should take. Scientific evidence regarding the benefits of these tests in routine health assessments remains limited; their suitability should be discussed with your doctor.

DigestCheck is a panel that assesses specific markers related to the digestive system in a stool sample. A microbiota test, on the other hand, focuses on the distribution of microorganisms in the gut. They are not interchangeable; which assessment is appropriate depends on your symptoms and the condition being investigated.

Eurofins Biomnis's Juvenalis panels assess current vitamin and mineral levels and selected biological markers. Eurofins Genoma's Nutrinext tests, on the other hand, focus on genetic characteristics. A result indicating a genetic predisposition does not necessarily mean that a disease will develop or that a particular dietary programme will definitely be beneficial.

Preparation and sample type vary depending on the test selected. Some assessments require a blood sample, while others require a stool sample. You can find out whether fasting is required and what the sample collection requirements are before your appointment. Inform the laboratory of any medications and supplements you take; do not stop taking them without your doctor's advice.

You can obtain information from Wellcare Laboratories' branches at Wellcare Health Clinic and Miracle Hospital in Nicosia, and at Medicalport Tunççevik Hospital in Kyrenia. Wellcare provides access to Eurofins Biomnis and Eurofins Genoma tests from Northern Cyprus. It is recommended that you check the sample collection requirements for your chosen test before visiting.