Biomarker Reference · Melatonin
Melatonin (urine, as 6-sulfatoxymelatonin or direct) (Melatonin) is a clinical biomarker used in neurological-mental-health assessment. Melatonin is synthesised from serotonin in the pineal gland, with secretion peaking at night under the control of the suprachiasmatic nucleus and inhibited by light. It is measured in 1 laboratory test on BiomarkersLabs.com.
Melatonin is synthesised from serotonin in the pineal gland, with secretion peaking at night under the control of the suprachiasmatic nucleus and inhibited by light. It governs circadian rhythm, sleep onset, and antioxidant defences. Melatonin is rapidly metabolised in the liver to 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-sulfatoxymelatonin, aMT6s), the major urine metabolite, which is often measured as a surrogate for melatonin secretion.
Urine melatonin (or aMT6s) reflects pineal melatonin production and circadian rhythm integrity. Low or shifted peaks are seen in circadian rhythm disorders, jet lag, shift work, and sleep-onset insomnia. The test is used in functional sleep and circadian assessments; clinical sleep medicine typically relies on history, actigraphy, and polysomnography rather than biochemical melatonin measurement.
Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.
1 test on BiomarkersLabs.com include this biomarker.
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