Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15)
Dimeric cytokine belonging to the TGF-beta superfamily induced in response to cellular stress, tissue injury, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangespg/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.
300 - 1200 pg/mL
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
<700 pg/mL
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Upregulated downstream of the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) and ATF4; binds GFRAL receptors in the brainstem area postrema to regulate appetite.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (GDF-15 High)
- •Mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders
- •Severe cardiovascular disease and heart failure
- •Active cachexia and cancer anorexia
- •High biological mortality risk
Low Levels (GDF-15 Low)
- •Optimal mitochondrial proteostasis
- •Low systemic cellular stress (<600 pg/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 GDF-15
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to mitochondrial integrated stress response
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Growth Differentiation Factor 15 - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 33990124
- [2]GDF-15 Dynamics in Human Longevity and Precision Medicine - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35222901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15) into overall healthspan optimization.