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Biomarker Encyclopedia

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Home/Biomarkers/Endocrinology & Hormones/Preg
Endocrinology & HormonesNeurosteroid & Upstream Steroidogenesis

Serum Pregnenolone (Preg)

Primary upstream precursor of all human steroid hormones and potent neurosteroid modulating synaptic plasticity and memory.

Standard Range10 - 200 ng/dL
Optimal Longevity50 - 140 ng/dL
Measurement Unitng/dL
Organ SystemNeurosteroid & Upstream Steroidogenesis
Routine Panels:Comprehensive Steroid Hormone CascadeNeurosteroid Assessment

Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangesng/dL

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.

Interactive Range Analyzer
Unit: ng/dL
ng/dL
Presets:
7 ng/dLOptimal Zone Target270 ng/dL
Optimal Longevity Zone(95 ng/dL)

Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.

Standard Reference Interval

10 - 200 ng/dL

General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.

Optimal Longevity Target

50 - 140 ng/dL

Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.

Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose

Synthesized by mitochondrial CYP11A1 from cholesterol; modulates NMDA and GABAA receptor kinetics in hippocampus.

Differential Diagnosis

Elevated Levels (Preg High)

  • •Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (3beta-HSD deficiency)
  • •Exogenous pregnenolone
  • •Adrenal adenoma

Low Levels (Preg Low)

  • •Primary adrenal insufficiency
  • •Adrenopause
  • •Hypopituitarism

Technical Reference & Deep Dive

Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
At the molecular level, Serum Pregnenolone (Preg) is critically involved in neurosteroid & upstream steroidogenesis. Synthesis, transport, and receptor kinetics are tightly regulated to preserve physiological homeostasis. Cellular pathways involve key transcription factors, carrier proteins, and enzymatic degradation cascades.
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Declines with chronological age; maintaining optimal levels supports cognitive resilience and downstream adrenal capacity.
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup

Pre-Analytical Considerations:

Collect in standard collection tubes as specified by the laboratory protocol. Avoid hemolysis and process serum/plasma promptly within 2 hours. Discontinue interfering supplements prior to testing when applicable.

Reflexive Testing Protocol:

  • Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker panel evaluation for Preg
  • Targeted imaging or functional organ assessment related to neurosteroid & upstream steroidogenesis
  • Comprehensive metabolic and inflammatory baseline panel (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
  • [1]Clinical Reference and Physiological Dynamics of Serum Pregnenolone - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 33890124
  • [2]Preg in Human Longevity and Pathophysiological Risk Stratification - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35122901
Common Panels:Comprehensive Steroid Hormone CascadeNeurosteroid Assessment
View All Panels

Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators

Medicine 3.0

Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Serum Pregnenolone (Preg) into overall healthspan optimization.

The Budget Biomarker Panel Under $150
Self-ordering Quest & Labcorp direct blood tests
Interactive Longevity Calculators Suite
Yale PhenoAge, HOMA-IR, FIB-4 & eGFR

Related Endocrinology & Hormones Biomarkers

High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein
hs-CRP · < 0.5 mg/L
Serum Creatinine
Cr · 0.8 - 1.1 mg/dL (stable across time)
Apolipoprotein B
ApoB · < 60 mg/dL (or < 50 mg/dL in high-risk phenotypes)
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