Definition
What α-MSH measures
Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone is a regulatory neuropeptide. Shoemaker case definitions commonly find it suppressed in CIRS.
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Innate immunityCompletepg/mL
α-MSH
A regulatory neuropeptide that is often low in CIRS
Illustrative sample band · Synthetic
28pg/mL
24Sample target 35–81 pg/mL85
Why it matters
How clinicians usually read it
It is a specialty frozen send-out, not an SST mail-back immunoassay. Complete is the only honest place for it.
When it reads low
A lower value can mean
A lower α-MSH is the pattern CIRS protocols watch for. It is not a stand-alone diagnosis and needs the rest of the innate-immunity set.
When it reads high
A higher value can mean
A higher α-MSH is closer to the published control band. It does not by itself close a CIRS question if other markers are abnormal.
Questions for a clinician
Bring the number into a real conversation
01
Is this α-MSH low enough, with my other markers, to treat as CIRS-pattern?
02
How should it be read with VIP, leptin, and ACTH?
03
When do you want this repeated in the protocol?
Educational boundary
Educational information only. Displayed ranges are illustrative sample bands, not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for the contracted laboratory report and a qualified clinician.
See it as a sample result
The sample dashboard shows an illustrative reading, target band, and trend for α-MSH.