Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio
The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is calculated from a standard CBC differential and reflects the balance between innate inflammatory and adaptive immune responses. Elevated ratios indicate systemic inflammation and stress and have been associated with worse outcomes in cardiovascular disease, cancer, infection, and critical illness. It is a simple, inexpensive marker of immune activation.
Optimal range: who says what
Institutions, researchers and practitioners draw the line in different places. Each position is listed with who holds it and, where a document states it, a link. How we verify ranges.
- Institution or study<2.0General-population cohorts (Rotterdam Study, NHANES) show mortality rising with NLR; healthy adults average about 1.65The 2.0 target is a rounded practical cutoff near the healthy-adult mean (reference interval 0.78-3.53), not a trial-defined threshold
- Lab reference intervalNormal: <3.0, Elevated: >3.0What a lab report flags against. A lab interval is not an optimal target.
3 providers include this
Additional Specialized Tests
Why Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio matters
Elevated ratio indicates systemic inflammation and stress. Predicts cardiovascular events and mortality. Simple marker of immune activation.
Which Providers Test Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio?
Cheapest: Superpower at $349/year. Most comprehensive: Function Health, 160+ biomarkers for $365/year.
3 panels that include it, cheapest first
| Provider | Annual Cost | Total Biomarkers | $/Biomarker |
|---|---|---|---|
 Superpower | $349 | 100+ | $3.49 |
 Function Health | $365 | 160+ | $2.28 |
| $1188 | 70+ | $16.97 |
$/Biomarker is annual cost divided by the panel's advertised biomarker count, not the price of this one test. We track 23 blood test providers (32 plans); 21 of those plans are itemized marker by marker. Compare all of them.
18 itemized panels do not include Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio
WHOOP Advanced Labs · Labcorp OnDemand · Life Extension Elite · Everlywell · Mito Health · InsideTracker · Marek Health Base · Marek Health Comprehensive · Marek Health Complete · Marek Health Executive · Blueprint · Empirical Health · Oura Health Panels · SiPhox Health · Hims Labs · Vitality Blueprint Standard · Vitality Blueprint Elite · Ultrahuman Blood Vision Annual
11 providers not itemized in our matrix
We have not itemized these marker by marker (some sell tests one at a time), so this page cannot say whether they offer Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio. Check with them directly.
Life Extension Standard · Quest Health · Ultrahuman Blood Vision · Lifeforce · Hundred Health · Personalabs · Walk-In Lab · HealthLabs · WHOOP Specialized Panels · Marek Health Essential · Vitality Blueprint Upload
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal range for Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio?
Published position: <2.0 (General-population cohorts (Rotterdam Study, NHANES) show mortality rising with NLR; healthy adults average about 1.65). Lab reference interval: Normal: <3.0, Elevated: >3.0. That is what a lab report flags against, not an optimal target.
Which blood test providers include Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio?
3 of the 21 blood testing panels we itemize marker by marker include Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio in their panels. This biomarker has limited availability.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
Last reviewed Sep 3, 2026 · First published Sep 30, 2025