What does the Telomere Length (Epigenetic Estimate from DNA Methylation) test measure?

Why is Telomere Length (Epigenetic Estimate from DNA Methylation) measured?

Telomere length is one of the hallmarks of cellular ageing and is associated with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and immune senescence in epidemiological studies. In longevity and functional medicine practice, telomere length is used as a complementary marker of biological ageing alongside epigenetic clock scores — short telomere length relative to age-matched peers supports an accelerated biological ageing interpretation. Telomere length is influenced by oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, psychological stress, smoking, and lifestyle factors — making it an actionable ageing marker responsive to targeted interventions.

Reference ranges

Standard reference

Compared to age-matched population reference — results reported relative to age-matched norms. # REVIEWER FLAG: Confirm whether TruDiagnostic reports epigenetic telomere length estimate in absolute kilobase units, as a relative ratio to a reference standard, or as an age-matched percentile. Clarify whether the TruDiagnostic TruHealth report provides a direct qPCR-based telomere length measurement or a methylation-derived epigenetic estimate of telomere length — these are methodologically distinct and clinically non-interchangeable.

Functional medicine optimal

Above the age-matched population median (upper two quartiles for age). # REVIEWER FLAG: Confirm TruDiagnostic's age-matched reference population and whether a percentile or quartile ranking is provided in the report.

Units

Relative telomere length (kb or percentile)

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.