Description
TruAge PACE is an at-home epigenetic test that provides an objective measurement of how fast or slow the body is currently ageing by analysing patterns of DNA methylation and comparing these to nearly 50 years of longitudinal data. Results are reported in a fashion that compares your pace of ageing to 1 standard calendar year. For example, if your results are ‘0.8’, that means your body is currently ageing 0.8 years for each year that passes. The results are responsive to intermediate change, often used in short intervals interventions to see what is working or not for the patient.
This test is often used once patients understand all baseline and specific age-related measurements included in the TruAge COMPLETE kit.
Methodology
TruDiagnostic is an HIPAA compliant leading health data company and CLIA-certified laboratory that specialises in epigenetic testing and research.
The laboratory initiates the process by extracting DNA, followed by quantification using Tecan Infinite M Nano, and identifying methylated sites through bisulfite conversion. Subsequently, the DNA undergoes amplification, replication, fragmentation, and resuspension via isopropanol alcohol precipitation. The fragmented DNA is then hybridised onto Illumina BeadChips with silica beads, which are stained in red and green to differentiate between nucleotide pairs. Finally, the DNA is scanned using the IScan Illumina machine to detect methylation patterns. These detected sites are then run through cutting-edge algorithms to sort them and create an age value that reflects those patterns.
When should I use
TruAge PACE is for patients who want to track the progress of recent lifestyle, environmental, and medical interventions. It is reponsive to intermediate change, often used in short intervals interventions to see what is working or not working for the patient.
It is often used once patients understand all baseline and specific age-related measurements included in the TruAge COMPLETE kit.
TruAge PACE covers the following concerns:
- Rate of biological aging: the test can estimate how many years the body is aging for each calendar year that passes, giving a clearer picture of the aging process
- Telomere length analysis: Telomeres are repeated sequences of nucleotide sequences that tag the ends of all chromosomes. They are designed to prevent unpredictable changes in the DNA strand, keeping the genome stable providing insights into cellular aging and potential longevity
Other Details
When should testing not be conducted?
Transient stress, such as a viral infection, can temporarily increase biological ageing. The lab does not recommend sample collection for individuals who have had a recent acute infection, surgery, trauma, or pregnancy.
A person should wait until they have fully recovered from the infection before taking a biological age test. The exact duration of recovery may vary depending on the severity and type of infection, so it is advisable to consult with the healthcare practitioner in charge for guidance.
