Serum Tyrosine (Tyr)
Conditionally essential aromatic amino acid synthesized from phenylalanine by PAH, acting as the core precursor for catecholamines, melanin, and thyroid hormones.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangesumol/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.
30 - 90 umol/L
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
40 - 80 umol/L
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Hydroxylated to L-DOPA by tyrosine hydroxylase for dopamine/norepinephrine, and iodinated on thyroglobulin tyrosyl rings to form T4 and T3.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (Tyr High)
- •Tyrosinemia Types I, II (oculocutaneous), and III
- •Transient tyrosinemia of the newborn
Low Levels (Tyr Low)
- •Phenylketonuria (inadequate synthesis due to PAH block)
- •Severe protein malnutrition
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 Tyr
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to catecholamine & thyroid precursor
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Serum Tyrosine - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 34090124
- [2]Tyr 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 Serum Tyrosine (Tyr) into overall healthspan optimization.