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.
Have a result in hand? analyze it with your AI assistant using these reviewed ranges, or run it through our explainer. Tools: look up another marker's range · convert lab units
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.
What does a high NT-proBNP mean?
NT-proBNP rises when the heart's chambers are stretched — the hallmark of heart failure, but also raised by atrial fibrillation, kidney disease, pulmonary embolism, older age, sepsis and severe lung disease. A normal result makes heart failure unlikely; a high one is a signal for prompt clinical evaluation and an echocardiogram, not a repeat test. Obesity lowers it, which can mask disease.
Common causes of a high NT-proBNP
- Heart failure (reduced or preserved ejection fraction)
- Atrial fibrillation, heart valve disease, heart attack
- Chronic kidney disease (reduced clearance)
- Pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, severe lung disease
- Older age, sepsis, anemia
- Entresto (sacubitril) raises BNP but not NT-proBNP
Ordered from most to least common.
Symptoms that can go with it
- Breathlessness on exertion or lying flat, waking at night gasping
- Ankle and leg swelling, weight gain over days
- Fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance
What clinicians usually check next
- Bring the result to a clinician promptly — echocardiogram and ECG are the next steps
- Kidney function, CBC, TSH
- Repeat testing is for monitoring treated heart failure, not for confirming a first elevation
Follow-up tests at TestWell: CBC with Differential ($21.99), TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) ($26.99), TSH + Free T4 ($27.99).
Seek care promptly if
- Breathlessness at rest, chest pain, fainting or a new irregular pulse — emergency care regardless of the number
What NT-proBNP is normal?
Below 125 pg/mL under 75 and below 450 pg/mL over 75 makes heart failure unlikely. Age-adjusted rule-in thresholds in acute breathlessness are higher (450/900/1800 by age band), which is why the clinical context matters.
Educational only — not a diagnosis. A single result outside the range is a prompt to look closer with a clinician.
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
What does a high NT-proBNP mean?
NT-proBNP rises when the heart's chambers are stretched — the hallmark of heart failure, but also raised by atrial fibrillation, kidney disease, pulmonary embolism, older age, sepsis and severe lung disease. A normal result makes heart failure unlikely; a high one is a signal for prompt clinical evaluation and an echocardiogram, not a repeat test. Obesity lowers it, which can mask disease.
What NT-proBNP is normal?
Below 125 pg/mL under 75 and below 450 pg/mL over 75 makes heart failure unlikely. Age-adjusted rule-in thresholds in acute breathlessness are higher (450/900/1800 by age band), which is why the clinical context matters.
Do I need a doctor's order to test my nt-probnp?
No. TestWell's licensed physician network reviews and approves your order — usually within minutes. You can place an order online without an in-person visit or a referral from your own doctor.
How long does it take to get NT-proBNP results?
Most NT-proBNP results are available in 1–3 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment your results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal.
How much does a NT-proBNP test cost?
Our NT-proBNP (Heart Failure Marker) starts at $224.99. That's the all-in price — no copays, no insurance hoops, no surprise bills. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Do I need to fast before my NT-proBNP test?
Fasting is not required for the NT-proBNP test. You can have your blood drawn any time of day.
Which lab will process my NT-proBNP test?
Your test will be processed by Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, or BioReference depending on which is closest to you and which lab carries the test. All three are CLIA-certified and trusted by hospitals nationwide. You'll choose your lab during checkout from 4,000+ locations.
Ready to test your nt-probnp?
Order in two minutes, get physician-approved, and visit a lab the same day. Starts at $224.99.