Plasma Neurotensin (NT)
13-amino-acid peptide localized in specialized enteroendocrine N-cells of the ileum and central brain dopaminergic pathways.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangespmol/L
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.
15 - 80 pmol/L (fasting)
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
20 - 60 pmol/L
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Facilitates intestinal long-chain fatty acid absorption and hepatic lipid accumulation via NTR1 and NTR3/sortilin receptors.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (NT High)
- •High long-chain dietary fat intake
- •Elevated prospective risk of incident obesity and cardiometabolic disease
Low Levels (NT Low)
- •Normal baseline enteroendocrine signaling
- •Low lipid absorption stress
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 NT
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to intestinal lipid absorption & adipogenesis
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Plasma Neurotensin - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 34190124
- [2]NT Dynamics in Human Longevity and Precision Medicine - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35422901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Plasma Neurotensin (NT) into overall healthspan optimization.