The Normal Levels of Norepinephrine in the Body

Norepinephrine is a hormone in the body which helps regulate the body's "fight or flight" response and essentially controls the body's response to stress levels. Its levels are believed to be linked to depression, and it is also used in the treatment of hypotension and during CPR.

Normal Levels and Measurement

• Norepinephrine is measured by a urine test or a blood test. Normal levels for a blood test are around 60 ng/100 mL (nanograms per milliliter), according to The New York Times Health Guide, but they could vary according to what foods you have been eating and any drugs or medications that you are on.

  Results can vary depending on your lifestyle and your body, so to understand the results of your test, you must talk to your doctor. Results can also vary based on the laboratory that does the analysis, so it is important for your doctor to be familiar with the lab as well.

Function in the Body

• Norepinephrine acts as a hormone, operating to manage areas of the brain which control attention and stress levels. It also works as a hormone and controls the constriction of blood vessels, which affects blood pressure levels. The more constricted the blood vessels, the higher the blood pressure. This also affects heart rate, which is where the control of the "fight or flight" response comes into play.

Link to Depression

• Low levels of norepinephrine are associated with depression because of how norepinephrine controls attention (this is why low levels are also associated with ADHD) and blood pressure. Norepinephrine affects dizziness, headaches, and memory. Further, the physical responses that norepinephrine controls, such as high blood pressure and high heart rate, are physical reactions often associated with anxiety.

How to Raise Norepinephrine Levels

• You can raise norepinephrine on your own by eating certain foods. High protein foods such as chicken, eggs, cottage cheese and fish are helpful because protein provides amino acids which affect the neurotransmitters that control mood. Further, bananas are helpful because they contain tyrosine, which is converted into norepinephrine, and beets are helpful because they contain betaine, which helps against depression as well.

Use for Hypotension and other Medical Situations

• Norepinephrine is often used as a drug during medical procedures and medical situations in order to maintain blood pressure. It is given by injection, and breathing, heart rate and blood pressure are monitored in order to control the dose. Since norepinephrine levels are not measured by specific numbers, the drug is generally given until a difference is seen in the body. (see Reference 1).

Symptoms of Too Much Norepinephrine

• If you are given too much epinephrine, you may have blurred vision, low heart rate, headache, pale skin, vomiting, or chest pains. (see Reference 1)
  If you have an allergic reaction to norepinephrine, you could experience hives, difficulty breathing, abnormal heart rate, muscle pain and weakness, or a sudden headache and/or confusion. (see Reference 1)