Serum Hepcidin-25 (Hepcidin)
25-amino-acid peptide hormone synthesized by hepatocytes that acts as the master negative regulator of systemic iron entry into circulation.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangesng/mL
Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.
Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.
1.0 - 25.0 ng/mL
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
3.0 - 15.0 ng/mL
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Binds the cellular iron exporter ferroportin on enterocytes and macrophages, inducing its internalization and lysosomal degradation.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (Hepcidin High)
- •Anemia of Chronic Disease / Inflammation (IL-6-driven hepatic oversecretion)
- •Iron loading with intact feedback
Low Levels (Hepcidin Low)
- •Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HFE/HJV mutations cause hepcidin deficiency and massive iron overload)
- •True iron deficiency anemia
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Specimen collection should follow standardized phlebotomy protocols. Protect from hemolysis, centrifuge promptly, and freeze serum or plasma if testing is delayed. Patient should be in a resting, fasting state where indicated.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker quantification for Hepcidin
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to master iron regulatory hormone
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Serum Hepcidin-25 - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 34090124
- [2]Hepcidin Dynamics in Human Longevity and Precision Medicine - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35322901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Serum Hepcidin-25 (Hepcidin) into overall healthspan optimization.