Lever
Lifestyle
- Regular weight-bearing exercise
- Adequate sunlight exposure
- Smoking cessation
Blutwerte · Marker
Osteocalcin
Bone Gla Protein · BGP · Osteocalcin
Knochen & MineralogieZeitabhängig
- Einheit:
- ng/mL
- Abbreviation
- OC / BGP
Osteocalcin quantifies the level of a bone-derived hormone involved in bone formation and turnover.
Reference Ranges
Reference
11–43ng/mL
11
43
LowNormalHigh
Reference
Unit · ng/mLLevels can vary based on age, sex, and vitamin K status.
Overview
Übersicht
Osteocalcin, also known as Bone Gla Protein (BGP), is a non-collagenous protein hormone found in bone and dentin, secreted by osteoblasts. It plays a crucial role in bone mineralization and calcium ion homeostasis. Osteocalcin is a vitamin K-dependent protein, which means its activity is influenced by the presence of vitamin K, essential for the carboxylation of its glutamic acid residues. Clinically, osteocalcin is a biomarker of bone turnover, reflecting both bone formation and resorption processes. Elevated levels of osteocalcin are often associated with increased bone turnover, which can occur in conditions like osteoporosis or hyperparathyroidism. Conversely, reduced levels may indicate low bone turnover, as seen in conditions such as osteomalacia or hypothyroidism. In the context of athletic performance and biohacking, osteocalcin has been linked to energy metabolism and testosterone production, suggesting potential benefits for muscle function and metabolic health. However, its role in longevity and athletic performance is still under investigation. Researchers have found that osteocalcin levels can be influenced by factors such as age, sex, and vitamin K status, and may vary throughout the day. Therefore, when interpreting osteocalcin levels, it is important to consider these confounding factors, as well as whether the individual was fasting at the time of testing.
Klinische Bedeutung
Elevated osteocalcin levels indicate increased bone turnover, often seen in osteoporosis or hyperparathyroidism. Reduced levels suggest low bone turnover, as in osteomalacia or hypothyroidism.
Dynamics
Trend Interpretation
Rising Values
Progressively rising osteocalcin suggests increased bone turnover, warranting further investigation for conditions like osteoporosis. Re-test in 3-6 months.
Falling Values
Falling osteocalcin levels may indicate reduced bone turnover, potentially due to effective treatment or underlying conditions like hypothyroidism.
Re-test Interval
6 months if outside optimal range
Etiology
Causes — High & Low
Cause
Elevated Levels
- Osteoporosis
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Paget's disease
- Bone healing
- Hyperthyroidism
Cause
Low Levels
- Osteomalacia
- Hypothyroidism
- Vitamin K deficiency
- Chronic kidney disease
- Use of certain medications (e.g., bisphosphonates)
Protocol
How to Optimize
Lever
Nutrition
- Increase dietary vitamin K
- Ensure adequate calcium intake
- Consume foods rich in magnesium
Lever
Supplementation
- Vitamin K2
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
Note:
Consult a healthcare provider before starting new supplements, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
Testing Guidelines
✓Fasting Not Required
🕐Time-Sensitive
Levels may vary throughout the day; morning samples are preferred for consistency.
Testing Frequency
Annually for individuals at risk of bone disorders.
Interfering Factors
- Recent intense exercise
- Vitamin K supplementation
- Certain medications (e.g., warfarin)
Related Peptides & Hormones
Vitamin D
hormone or peptideCorrelated with
Open Research Questions
Current research suggests that the role of osteocalcin as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk and its relationship with vitamin K status remain unclear, particularly regarding optimal reference ranges and confounding factors. Emerging research directions include exploring osteocalcin's potential as a transdiagnostic biomarker for psychopathology in youth. However, researchers have not yet established the specific mechanisms by which osteocalcin influences mental health or its predictive value across different populations and stress contexts.
22 Research Publications
285
Total Citations
6
Human/RCT
1.4
Avg. Influence
2024
Latest
Sort
Filter
01Top
#01
Melatonin: Another avenue for treating osteoporosis?
ReviewInfluence1.0
125
Researchers observed that melatonin may influence bone metabolism by upregulating osteocalcin and other bone-related genes. This suggests that melatonin could serve as a biomarker for osteoporosis prevention. The study proposes melatonin as a potential novel remedy for bone health.
02Top
#02
Osteocalcin as a potential risk biomarker for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
ReviewInfluence2.0
38
Researchers reviewed the association between circulating osteocalcin levels and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. They found that lower osteocalcin levels were linked to increased cardiovascular risk and insulin resistance, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for these conditions.
03Top
#03
Serum bone biomarkers and oral/systemic bone loss in humans.
HumanInfluence2.0
25
Researchers found that serum osteocalcin levels were significantly associated with systemic bone mineral density loss in post-menopausal women. Changes in serum osteocalcin were also linked to loss of alveolar bone density and height. This study highlights the role of serum bone biomarkers in tracking both systemic and localized bone loss.
04
#04
Circulating FABP4, nesfatin-1, and osteocalcin concentrations in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis.
Meta-AnalysisInfluence1.0
22
This meta-analysis investigated circulating levels of osteocalcin in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Researchers found that osteocalcin levels were higher in women with GDM compared to healthy controls, although the predictive interval suggested variability. The study indicates that while osteocalcin is elevated in GDM, FABP4 may be a more suitable biomarker for identifying women at risk.
05
#05
Osteocalcin is a stress-responsive neuropeptide.
Animal
17
Researchers found that osteocalcin is responsive to stress and may function as a neuropeptide. The study suggests that osteocalcin could play a role in energy metabolism and sensory responses, indicating its potential importance beyond bone health.
06
#06
Broad application prospects of bone turnover markers in pediatrics.
Review
16
Researchers reviewed the application of bone turnover markers, including osteocalcin, in pediatric medicine. They emphasized the importance of these markers in understanding bone development and diagnosing metabolic disorders in children. The study advocates for further exploration of osteocalcin's role in pediatric bone health.
07
#07
Extrahepatic Vitamin K-Dependent Gla-Proteins-Potential Cardiometabolic Biomarkers.
ReviewInfluence1.0
11
Researchers discussed the role of osteocalcin and other vitamin K-dependent Gla-proteins in cardiovascular health. They noted that low levels of osteocalcin may indicate poor vitamin K status and could reflect arterial calcification. The study emphasizes the potential of these proteins as biomarkers for cardiovascular disease.
08
#08
Bone turnover in lactating and nonlactating women.
Human
8
Researchers observed increased levels of bone turnover markers, including osteocalcin, in lactating women compared to non-lactating controls. This study suggests that lactation significantly affects bone metabolism, indicating a need for further understanding of these changes.
09
#09
Osteocalcin: A novel biomarker of adolescent psychopathology.
Rnic Katerina, et al. · Psychoneuroendocrinology · 2024
Human
5
Researchers found that lower levels of salivary osteocalcin were associated with psychiatric disorders in early adolescents. The study indicated that low osteocalcin levels could predict increased psychopathology symptoms over time. This suggests osteocalcin may serve as a biomarker for mental health in youth.
Key findings
- 01Lower osteocalcin levels were associated with a higher likelihood of meeting criteria for psychiatric disorders.
- 02Researchers observed significant links between low osteocalcin and various elevated symptoms of psychopathology.
- 03Low osteocalcin predicted an increase in psychopathology symptoms over the following year.
10
#10
Structural insights into the vitamin K-dependent γ-carboxylation of osteocalcin.
In Vitro
4
Researchers examined the molecular mechanisms of osteocalcin's γ-carboxylation, which is crucial for its function in bone health. They found that the interaction between osteocalcin and the vitamin K-dependent γ-carboxylase is essential for its activity. This study provides insights into osteocalcin as a biomarker for bone health and vitamin K nutrition.
Publication Trend
Research publications about Osteocalcin over time
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