Circadian Plasma Melatonin (Melatonin)
Indoleamine neurohormone synthesized by pinealocytes and mitochondria from serotonin via AANAT and ASMT.
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.
30 - 120 pg/mL (peak at 3:00 AM), <10 pg/mL (daytime)
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
50 - 100 pg/mL (nocturnal peak)
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Binds MT1 and MT2 G-protein coupled receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) to regulate sleep timing, and acts as direct mitochondrial antioxidant.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (Melatonin High)
- •Robust physiological nocturnal circadian surge
- •Exogenous melatonin supplementation
Low Levels (Melatonin Low)
- •Circadian phase disruption / delayed sleep phase syndrome
- •Age-related pineal calcification
- •Night shift work with light-at-night suppression
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 Melatonin
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to circadian phase & mitochondrial antioxidant
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Circadian Plasma Melatonin - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 33990124
- [2]Melatonin 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 Circadian Plasma Melatonin (Melatonin) into overall healthspan optimization.