Plasma / Urine NGAL (NGAL)
25-kDa lipocalin protein rapidly synthesized and secreted by distal renal tubular cells and ascending limb of Henle within 2 hours of ischemia.
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.
<100 ng/mL (urine), <150 ng/mL (plasma)
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
<50 ng/mL
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Functions to scavenge siderophores and limit iron-mediated oxidative injury; released into urine long before creatinine rises.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (NGAL High)
- •Acute tubular necrosis / Acute Kidney Injury (ischemic, toxic, sepsis-induced)
- •Cardiorenal syndrome post-cardiac surgery
Low Levels (NGAL Low)
- •Intact quiescent renal tubular epithelium
- •Normal baseline (<50 ng/mL)
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 NGAL
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to early acute tubular necrosis
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Plasma / Urine NGAL - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 34090124
- [2]NGAL 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 Plasma / Urine NGAL (NGAL) into overall healthspan optimization.