NT-proBNP levels: what's normal, high and low
A hormone fragment released when the heart is stretched. The standard marker of heart-failure status.
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
The short answer
NT-proBNP is measured with a standard blood draw; no fasting is needed. A typical reference range is 0.000 – 125 pg/mL (age 18–49; more bands below). At TestWell it's $224.99 all-in as NT-proBNP (Heart Failure Marker), results in 1–3 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis.
- Units
- pg/mL
- Sample
- Blood draw
- Fasting
- Not required
- Results
- 1–3 business days
- Price
- $224.99
- Labs
- Quest or Labcorp
NT-proBNP Reference Range
These are the typical adult reference ranges used by major US labs. Your report will include the specific range used by the lab that processed your sample.
| Population | Range |
|---|---|
| age 18–49 | 0.000 – 125 pg/mL |
| age 50–75 | 0.000 – 450 pg/mL |
| age 76+ | 0.000 – 900 pg/mL |
Reference ranges are educational. Always interpret your result with the specific range printed on your lab report and discuss anything outside the range with a clinician.
What your NT-proBNP result may mean
Often reflects heart failure or cardiac strain. Levels rise with age and decline with body weight.
What a high NT-proBNP means: causes, symptoms, next steps →Educational only — not a diagnosis. Many factors can influence a single result. Discuss anything that concerns you with a healthcare provider.
How do you get a NT-proBNP test?
Order online, a licensed physician reviews the requisition, and you walk into a nearby lab for the draw. NT-proBNP is available on its own or inside these panels — panels cost less per marker when you want the fuller picture.
| Option | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| NT-proBNP (Heart Failure Marker) | This marker only | $224.99 |
Quest vs. Labcorp for NT-proBNP: which lab should you pick?
Both are CLIA-certified national labs and the result is clinically equivalent, so pick whichever location is closer. Your report will print that lab's own reference range, which can differ slightly from the table above.
| Lab | Available | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $224.99 |
| Labcorp | Yes | $224.99 |
| BioReference (NY & NJ) | No | — |
Need help choosing a location? Use the lab finder to see draw sites near your ZIP.
Related Heart Health biomarkers
Markers commonly tested alongside NT-proBNP.
Frequently asked
Often reflects heart failure or cardiac strain. Levels rise with age and decline with body weight. A single result above the reference range is a prompt to look closer with a clinician — often a repeat test and related markers — not a diagnosis on its own.
Ready to test your nt-probnp?
Order in two minutes, get physician-approved, and visit a lab the same day. Starts at $224.99.