Melatonin for Sleep Disorders: Meta-Analysis
PLoS ONE (2013)
Reduced sleep onset latency by 7 minutes and increased total sleep time by 8 minutes on average with minimal side effects.
Melatonin
Oral SR capsule (3 to 60mg)Not available in all statesMarketing purposes only. Actual medications, if prescribed, are dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
sleep
MelatoninMelatonin
Endogenous pineal hormone regulating circadian rhythm. Used for sleep onset, circadian entrainment, and increasingly as an antioxidant and potential geroprotective agent at higher doses. SR formulations maintain levels through the night.
Regulates circadian rhythm
Improves sleep onset latency
Potent antioxidant (especially mitochondrial)
Anti-inflammatory (NF-kB suppression)
No commitment · HSA/FSA eligibleNo commitment · HSA/FSA eligible
How it works
Mechanism of action
Binds MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), regulating circadian rhythm and promoting sleep onset. Also a potent mitochondrial antioxidant, NF-kB inhibitor, and oncostatic agent at higher doses.
The baseline panel.
Every Marek client receives this baseline panel before a provider review. Your provider may add additional biomarkers based on your health history, symptoms, and goals, pulling from 1,000+ available markers. See more biomarkers →
Hormone Profile
12 markers
Sex hormones
- Total TestosteroneLC/MS
- Free TestosteroneEquilibrium Dialysis
- Estradiol, Sensitive / UltrasensitiveLC/MS
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
- ProgesteroneLC/MSFemale panel
- Prolactin
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- hCG, Total, QuantitativeFemale panel, pre-menopause
Adrenals & neurosteroids
- Cortisol
- DHEA-S
Growth hormone / IGF-1
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1)
Thyroid Status
3 markers
Thyroid hormones
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Free T4
- Free T3
Heart Health
9 markers
Cardiovascular health
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- LDL:HDL Ratio
- VLDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Apolipoprotein-B (ApoB)
- C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity (hsCRP)
- Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))
Metabolism
3 markers
Insulin sensitivity
- Blood Glucose
- Fasting Insulin
- HbA1c
Organ Function
26 markers
Liver & pancreas
- AST
- ALT
- Bilirubin, Total
- γ-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Kidney function
- BUN
- Creatinine w/ eGFR
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Glucose
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- Creatinine
- eGFR
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Carbon Dioxide, Total
- Calcium
- Protein, Total
- Albumin
- Globulin, Total
- Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- AST
- ALT
Prostate health
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)Male panel
- Free PSAMale panel
- % Free PSAMale panel
Nutrient Status
31 markers
Vitamins & minerals
- Vitamin D, 25-OHD (25-Hydroxy)
- Magnesium, RBC
Iron status
- Iron
- Iron Saturation
- TIBC
- UIBC
- Ferritin
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- White Blood Count (WBC)
- Red Blood Count (RBC)
- Hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Hematocrit (HCT)
- MCV
- MCH
- MCHC
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
- Platelets
- Neutrophils
- Neutrophils (Absolute)
- Lymphocytes
- Lymphocytes (Absolute)
- Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio
- Monocytes
- Monocytes (Absolute)
- Eosinophils
- Eosinophils (Absolute)
- Basophils
- Basophils (Absolute)
- Immature Cells
- Immature Granulocytes
- Immature Granulocytes (Absolute)
- NRBC, w/ Reflex for Immature Cells
Clinical evidence
The research behind Melatonin.
Safety profile
Monitoring & safety information.
Commonly reported side effects
- Morning grogginess (especially high doses)
- Vivid dreams
- Headache
- Mild GI upset
Less common but serious risks
- Excessive sedation at very high doses
- May interact with anticoagulants
- Autoimmune activation (theoretical at high doses)
Generally not appropriate for
- Autoimmune disorders (relative, high doses)
- Concurrent immunosuppression
Typical monitoring
- Sleep quality assessment
- Melatonin levels (AM/PM if relevant)
- Morning alertness
FAQ
Quick answers.
Endogenous pineal hormone regulating circadian rhythm. Used for sleep onset, circadian entrainment, and increasingly as an antioxidant and potential geroprotective agent at higher doses. SR formulations maintain levels through the night.
Regulates circadian rhythm. Improves sleep onset latency. Potent antioxidant (especially mitochondrial). Anti-inflammatory (NF-kB suppression). Oncostatic properties at high doses.
Common side effects include: morning grogginess (especially high doses), vivid dreams, headache, mild gi upset. Most side effects are dose-dependent and may resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Endogenous pineal hormone regulating circadian rhythm. Used for sleep onset, circadian entrainment, and increasingly as an antioxidant and potential geroprotective agent at higher doses. SR formulations maintain levels through the night.
Treatments are dependent on licensed clinical prescription. Client costs vary based on individual labs and panel in treatments and services.