Peter Attia's Outlive Protocol: The Australian Version (2025)

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This protocol is inspired by Dr Peter Attia's evidence-based longevity framework in Outlive (2023) and his public discussions on The Drive podcast. Dr Attia has not endorsed ProtocolHub or reviewed this content. He has explicitly cautioned against copying his personal protocol without individual biomarker assessment — the clinic pathway in this guide provides access to that assessment.

Peter Attia's framework starts with the blood panel, not the compounds. Before he takes anything, he measures. That approach — specific biomarker, specific intervention, specific tracking — is why his framework produces different outcomes than supplement guesswork. This guide translates the "exogenous molecules" pillar of Outlive into what Australians can access, what each step costs in AUD, and which biomarkers justify which prescriptions. The OTC layer is accessible this week. The prescription layer requires the right clinic.

What is Attia's longevity framework?

Outlive identifies four pillars that determine lifespan and healthspan: exercise (the single most potent longevity intervention), sleep, nutrition, and exogenous molecules (the supplements and medications layer). This guide covers pillar four — but Attia's own position is that pillars one through three are more impactful than any compound.

The exogenous molecules pillar is conservative by influencer standards. Attia does not take everything. He takes what his biomarkers justify. His most consistent message: if you cannot measure the effect, you should question whether you need the compound.

The blood panel you need before starting anything

This is the section that separates Attia's approach from supplement guesswork. Run this panel before adding any prescription compound. In Australia, private pathology labs (Laverty, Sonic, Sullivan Nicolaides) will process these with a GP referral — many items are Medicare-rebatable with a referral.

Attia-style baseline markers and what to target:

Marker	Target	Why it matters
Total testosterone	15–30 nmol/L (men)	GH secretagogue indication
Free testosterone	>250 pmol/L (men)	Active fraction — more relevant than total T
SHBG	20–60 nmol/L	Binds testosterone; high SHBG = less free T
IGF-1	150–250 ng/mL	GH axis marker; guides secretagogue decision
HbA1c	<5.4%	Metabolic health; justifies metformin discussion
Fasting glucose	<5.0 mmol/L	Acute glycaemic status
Fasting insulin	<5 µIU/mL	Insulin sensitivity; better than glucose alone
ApoB	<60 mg/dL	Best cardiovascular risk predictor per Attia
Lp(a)	<50 nmol/L	Genetically determined; identifies high-risk individuals
hsCRP	<1.0 mg/L	Inflammatory status
Homocysteine	<9 µmol/L	Cardiovascular + cognitive risk

Australian private pathology cost: $150–$350 AUD for this complete panel. Some items rebatable via Medicare with GP referral. Thrive Rx's intake blood panel covers most of these markers — if you're booking a telehealth consultation, it may be more cost-effective than ordering separately.

Find a prescriber who includes baseline blood work in Australia →

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The foundational OTC layer — what you can start this week

Attia has been consistent about four supplements over many years. All are OTC in Australia.

Creatine monohydrate — 5 g/day — $20–$35 AUD/month Attia, Huberman, and Johnson all take creatine. The evidence base is exceptionally strong — Attia values it for both athletic performance and cognitive protection during ageing. No loading phase required. Take post-workout or morning on rest days.

Omega-3 EPA/DHA — 2.5 g EPA + 1 g DHA/day — $30–$60 AUD/month Attia tracks blood omega-3 index and targets 10–12% of total fatty acids. He considers high-dose omega-3 non-negotiable. Test your baseline OmegaCheck at any private pathology lab ($40–$60 AUD) — most Australians start well below 8%.

Vitamin D3 + K2 — 5,000 IU D3 + 100 mcg MK-7 K2/day — $15–$30 AUD/month Attia targets 40–60 ng/mL serum 25-OH Vitamin D. Test your baseline before dosing — D3 supplementation without knowing baseline can overshoot. K2 (MK-7 form) is included to prevent calcium deposition in arteries at higher D3 doses. Both OTC at Australian pharmacies.

Magnesium — Glycinate (morning) + L-Threonate (evening) — $40–$70 AUD/month Attia uses multiple magnesium forms: Glycinate for systemic bioavailability, L-Threonate for the blood-brain-barrier-crossing form. The split morning/evening dosing is deliberate. Both available OTC in Australia through supplement retailers.

OTC total: $105–$195 AUD/month

The prescription layer — what requires an AHPRA practitioner

Ipamorelin + CJC-1295 — $150–$250 AUD/month

This is the GH secretagogue layer — the most practically accessible prescription compound in Attia's framework for most Australians.

Attia's reasoning, from Outlive and The Drive: maintaining lean muscle mass is one of the strongest predictors of all-cause mortality. GH secretagogues support the GH axis, promote lean mass retention, and improve sleep quality — particularly relevant after 40 when natural GH pulse amplitude declines.

Ipamorelin selectively stimulates pituitary GH release. CJC-1295 extends the half-life of that pulse. The combination produces a sustained GH release pattern mimicking natural rhythms. Taken before bed, timed to amplify the natural GH surge during deep sleep.

Both are Schedule 4 in Australia. AHPRA prescription + licensed compounding pharmacy. The IGF-1 test from your blood panel provides the clinical justification — if IGF-1 is below 150 ng/mL, the case for a GH secretagogue is strong.

Metformin — $15–$40 AUD/month if prescribed

Attia has publicly discussed metformin extensively — including his decision to stop taking it after research emerged suggesting it may blunt exercise adaptation. His current position is nuanced: he recommends it for individuals with metabolic risk markers (elevated HbA1c, insulin resistance) but does not recommend it for metabolically healthy individuals who train regularly.

In Australia: Schedule 4, typically prescribed for Type 2 diabetes. Off-label longevity prescribing requires clinical assessment — HbA1c above 5.4% and fasting insulin above 8 µIU/mL are the kinds of markers that justify a clinical conversation. Most AHPRA GPs will engage with this discussion.

Rapamycin — access is genuinely limited in Australia

Attia takes Rapamycin in weekly cycles for mTOR inhibition. In Australia, Rapamycin (sirolimus) is Schedule 4 and primarily used as a post-transplant immunosuppressant. Off-label longevity prescribing exists but is limited to specialist longevity physicians. Standard telehealth GPs will not prescribe it. This guide does not include Rapamycin in the practical Australian protocol — if it is a priority, consult a specialist physician directly and expect a thorough clinical assessment.

What does the complete Australian Attia protocol cost?

Component	Monthly cost (AUD)	Prescription?
Creatine 5g/day	$20–$35	No
Omega-3 (2.5g EPA + 1g DHA)	$30–$60	No
Vitamin D3/K2	$15–$30	No
Magnesium (both forms)	$40–$70	No
OTC total	$105–$195	—
Ipamorelin + CJC-1295	$150–$250	Yes
Metformin (if indicated)	$15–$40	Yes
With secretagogue	$255–$445	—
Baseline blood panel (one-off)	$150–$350	No (GP referral needed)

Finding a prescriber who takes Attia's biomarker-first approach

This is the critical practical step. Attia's framework demands measurement before prescribing. Most standard telehealth clinics run a weight management protocol, not a biomarker-led longevity protocol.

What to look for: a clinic that includes a comprehensive blood panel in the intake process, tracks biomarkers over time, and adjusts protocol based on results — not a one-size-fits-all prescription. Thrive Rx's blood-panel-first model is the closest on ProtocolHub to what Attia's framework requires. At the consultation, say: "I've read Outlive and I want to approach this the way Attia recommends — blood panel first, then compounds based on what the markers show."

ProtocolHub provides educational information only. All peptide therapies require consultation with an AHPRA-registered medical practitioner. This does not constitute medical advice.

Peter Attia's Outlive Protocol: What Australians Can Actually Implement — From Blood Tests to Prescriptions