Skip to main content
Your session has expired. Reloading...
Hormones

Pregnenolone

Pregnenolone is the foundational precursor for all steroid hormones. As part of a comprehensive hormonal assessment, monitoring pregnenolone can help identify whether your body has adequate building blocks for balanced hormone production.

Doctor's Assessment Included

Reference Ranges

See the value that applies to you:

Choose male or female — this range differs by sex.

Enter your age — this range changes with age.

This range also depends on context such as cycle phase or sample material; the highlighted rows apply to your group.

Male Your group
nmol/L
Low 0.9 Normal 6.3 High
Female Your group
nmol/L
Low 0.9 Normal 6.3 High

Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. When you order a test, a BIG-registered doctor assesses your personal results in context. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.

Check your own value

What It Measures

This test measures the concentration of pregnenolone in your blood. Pregnenolone is synthesized from cholesterol primarily in the adrenal glands and serves as the foundational building block for the production of all steroid hormones in the body.

Why It Matters

A proactive health approach includes understanding upstream hormone precursors. Pregnenolone levels may provide early insight into potential hormonal imbalances before downstream hormones are affected.

When to Test

Testing may be recommended if you experience symptoms of hormonal imbalance, chronic fatigue, cognitive changes, or suspected adrenal dysfunction. Your healthcare provider can determine whether pregnenolone testing is appropriate for your situation.

Symptoms

Low Levels

Some people with low pregnenolone may experience fatigue, poor memory, low mood, joint stiffness, or reduced stress tolerance. Low levels may also be associated with downstream deficiencies in other steroid hormones.

High Levels

Elevated pregnenolone levels are relatively uncommon and may sometimes be associated with adrenal overactivity or certain enzyme deficiencies. Consult your healthcare provider for interpretation if levels are above the reference range.

Lifestyle Tips

Stress management, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet with healthy fats may support pregnenolone production. Chronic stress can divert pregnenolone toward cortisol production at the expense of other hormones. Consult your healthcare provider before considering any supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is pregnenolone called the "mother hormone"?
Pregnenolone is the first hormone produced from cholesterol and serves as the precursor for all other steroid hormones, including cortisol, DHEA, progesterone, and testosterone.
Can stress affect pregnenolone levels?
Yes, chronic stress may cause the body to prioritize cortisol production from pregnenolone, potentially reducing the availability for other hormones. This is sometimes called the "pregnenolone steal."
Does pregnenolone decline with age?
Pregnenolone production typically decreases with age. This natural decline may contribute to reductions in downstream hormones and is sometimes associated with age-related changes in energy and cognition.

Tests with related values

These panels measure values from the same category as this marker.

Whoop

A 44-biomarker comprehensive health panel inspired by WHOOP Advanced Labs — a deep look at metabolism, cardiovascular risk, hormones, liver, kidney and inflammation.

SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) LDL Cholesterol Cortisol DHEA-S Estradiol (E2) Free Testosterone FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) LH (Luteinizing Hormone) Total Testosterone Bicarbonate Calcium Chloride Ferritin Iron (Serum) Magnesium Potassium Sodium Transferrin CRP (C-Reactive Protein) Homocysteine Glucose (Fasting) HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin) ApoB (Apolipoprotein B) HDL Cholesterol Omega-3 Index Total Cholesterol Albumin HOMA-IR ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) Bilirubin (Total) Total Protein Urea (BUN) Creatinine Vitamin D (25-OH) eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) Insulin (Fasting) Leukocyte Differential Transferrin Saturation Lipoprotein(a) Triglycerides Basic Blood Count
€499,-

InsideTracker

A 36-biomarker performance and longevity panel inspired by InsideTracker Ultimate — covering heart, hormones, metabolism, inflammation, recovery and iron status.

SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) LDL Cholesterol GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase) Cortisol DHEA-S Estradiol (E2) Free Testosterone Total Testosterone Folate (Folic Acid) Vitamin B12 Calcium Ferritin Iron (Serum) Magnesium Magnesium (Intracellular) Potassium Progesterone Sodium Transferrin CRP (C-Reactive Protein) Glucose (Fasting) HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin) ApoB (Apolipoprotein B) HDL Cholesterol Total Cholesterol Albumin AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) Vitamin D (25-OH) Insulin (Fasting) Leukocyte Differential Creatine Kinase (CK) Transferrin Saturation Triglycerides Basic Blood Count
€399,-

Pregnenolone

€130,-