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.

Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.

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.