Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells that helps regulate appetite and energy balance by signaling the brain when you have enough stored fat. This test measures the level of leptin in your blood.
Category: Diabetes & Glycemic
Also known as: leptin, serum leptin, ob protein
Reference range: 2–5.6 ng/mL (Source: ABIM)
Standard unit: ng/mL
High values may indicate
High leptin levels may indicate leptin resistance (common in obesity), where the brain does not respond properly to leptin signals, leading to continued overeating and weight gain.
Low values may indicate
Low leptin levels may indicate lipodystrophy (loss of body fat), severe caloric restriction, or genetic leptin deficiency, which can cause extreme hunger and early-onset obesity.