This blood test measures the levels of leptin, an important hormone that helps regulate appetite, hunger, metabolism and body weight. Leptin plays a key role in energy balance and weight management. By understanding your leptin levels, you and your healthcare provider can unlock valuable insights into your metabolic health and energy regulation.
Note: A leptin test alone cannot diagnose conditions like leptin resistance. Test results should be interpreted by a healthcare professional in the context of a person's overall health status, BMI and other metabolic parameters.
Preparation: No special preparation needed.
This test measures leptin levels in the blood. Leptin is a hormone primarily produced by fat cells (adipose tissue) that sends signals to the brain to help regulate appetite, hunger, metabolism and body weight. High leptin levels may indicate a condition known as leptin resistance, where the body becomes less sensitive to leptin's effects, which can potentially lead to overeating and weight gain.
If you're struggling with unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight, a leptin test can help you and your healthcare provider identify potential leptin resistance.
If you're struggling with unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight, a leptin test can help you and your healthcare provider identify potential leptin resistance.
If you're struggling with unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight, a leptin test can help you and your healthcare provider identify potential leptin resistance.
When you have too much leptin in the blood, this can cause a lack of sensitivity to the hormone, a condition known as leptin resistance. This may explain challenges with appetite control and metabolism.
Note: A leptin test alone cannot diagnose conditions like leptin resistance. Test results should be interpreted by a healthcare professional in the context of a person's overall health status, body mass index (BMI) and other metabolic parameters.
Leptin levels can provide insights into your overall metabolic health. Abnormal levels may indicate issues with energy balance, fat storage, and metabolism that could increase risk for obesity. This contributes to conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.
Leptin, also known as the satiety hormone, helps regulate energy balance. By measuring leptin levels, you can gain insights into how your body is managing energy responses.
1. Labcorp. Leptin. Accessed April 3, 2025. https://www.labcorp.com/tests/146712/leptin-serum-or-plasma.
2. Endocrine Society. Endocrine-related Organs and Hormones. Endocrine.org. January 24, 2022. Accessed April 3, 2025. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/hormones-and-endocrine-function/endocrine-related-organs-and-hormones.
<p>1. Labcorp. Leptin. Accessed April 3, 2025. <a href="https://www.labcorp.com/tests/146712/leptin-serum-or-plasma" target="_blank" title="labcorp.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.labcorp.com/tests/146712/leptin-serum-or-plasma</a>.</p> <p>2. Endocrine Society. Endocrine-related Organs and Hormones. Endocrine.org. January 24, 2022. Accessed April 3, 2025. <a href="https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/hormones-and-endocrine-function/endocrine-related-organs-and-hormones" target="_blank" title="Endocrine Society" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/hormones-and-endocrine-function/endocrine-related-organs-and-hormones</a>.</p>
Simply purchase this test online. A healthcare provider will review and approve your test requests; no healthcare provider visit is required.
Visit a Labcorp location near you for sample collection. Visits may be scheduled online.
View your easy-to-read results online in your Labcorp Patient™ account, including Linked Accounts. For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by phone or mail.
Starting a weight loss journey? Find out your baseline health.
Assess cardiovascular risk with a heart health test including a lipid panel, ApoB, DRI, and GlycA.
Learn more about your risk for heart disease and stroke with a simple blood test.
Start feeling your best with a comprehensive health blood test.
Discover your homocysteine level with a simple blood test.
Learn more about your risk for liver disease with this accurate, reliable liver health test.
Symptoms of high leptin, also known as leptin resistance, are constantly feeling hungry and increased food intake.
High leptin levels may be associated with an increased body fat mass or may indicate leptin resistance in some cases. Low leptin levels could be seen in rare cases in individuals with very low body fat or those with a genetic condition called congenital leptin deficiency, which prevents your body from making leptin.
The Labcorp OnDemand Leptin Test will measure the level of leptin in your blood. After you have purchased the test, visit a Labcorp location for a sample collection. Your results will be available through your Labcorp Patient account within 4-5 days after your sample has arrived at our lab.
We recommend you consult with a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your results.
When the body is functioning properly, excess fat cells will produce leptin, which will trigger the hypothalamus (an area of the brain) to lower the appetite. However, people with obesity will have too much leptin in the blood, which may lead to leptin resistance.
Leptin test results should be interpreted by a healthcare professional in the context of an individual's overall health status, BMI and other metabolic parameters. A single leptin test result cannot definitively diagnose conditions like leptin resistance. Your healthcare provider will consider leptin results alongside other clinical information to assess your metabolic health.
Leptin levels are primarily influenced by body fat mass and the amount of leptin is directly related to an individual’s amount of body fat. Currently there is no approved medication for leptin resistance, as scientists are learning more about this new biomarker. Healthy lifestyle changes like regular exercise, adequate sleep and a balanced diet may help improve leptin sensitivity and overall metabolic health. It's important to consult with a healthcare provider on managing leptin levels and metabolic health.
Visit the Labcorp OnDemand website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp OnDemand account. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires a healthcare provider order; for your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with PWNHealth LLC and its affiliated professional entities (collectively, PWNHealth) to provide healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready to be accessed through your Labcorp OnDemand account or through your Labcorp Patient account.
Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also made available through a secure portal to the independent healthcare provider who placed your test order. If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient™ account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, and/or federal health authority; for example, many states require the testing laboratory and physician to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to local or state health departments.
If you have questions or comments regarding the Labcorp Notice of Privacy Practices, or have a complaint about our use or disclosure of your PHI or our privacy practices, please contact: privacyofficer@labcorp.com, call us at (877) 234-4722 (877-23-HIPAA) and ask for the Labcorp HIPAA Privacy Officer, or send a written request to: HIPAA Privacy Officer, Labcorp, 531 South Spring Street, Burlington, NC 27215. You also may file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Visit the Labcorp OnDemand® website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp Patient™ account to view your results. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires an order from an authorized healthcare professional. For your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with independent professional entities (collectively, Providers) to deliver healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home collection kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready and can be accessed through your Labcorp Patient™ account.
