Leptin
Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells that signals satiety and long-term energy sufficiency to the hypothalamus. Obesity is typically accompanied by high leptin with leptin resistance, so signals of satiety are not effectively received. Very low leptin, as in severe calorie restriction or lipodystrophy, drives hunger, suppresses reproduction, and slows metabolism.
Optimal range: who says what
No institution or named practitioner we track states an optimal target for Leptin. How we verify ranges.
- General guidance, no named sourceLow-normal for your sexTracks fat mass; lower levels alongside healthy body composition
- Lab reference intervalMen: 1-5 ng/mL, Women: 7-13 ng/mLWhat a lab report flags against. A lab interval is not an optimal target.
3 providers include this
Advanced / Specialty Markers
Why Leptin matters
Regulates appetite and metabolism. High levels indicate leptin resistance, common in obesity. Low leptin signals starvation to the brain. Important for understanding weight regulation.
Which Providers Test Leptin?
Function Health is both the cheapest ($365/year) and the most comprehensive (160+ biomarkers) panel that includes Leptin.
3 panels that include it, cheapest first
| Provider | Annual Cost | Total Biomarkers | $/Biomarker |
|---|---|---|---|
 Function Health | $365 | 160+ | $2.28 |
| $365 | 100+ | $3.65 | |
| $499 | 100+ | $4.99 |
$/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 Leptin
Superpower · WHOOP Advanced Labs · Labcorp OnDemand · Life Extension Elite · Everlywell · Mito Health · InsideTracker · Marek Health Base · Marek Health Comprehensive · Marek Health Complete · Marek Health Executive · Empirical Health · Oura Health Panels · SiPhox Health · Hims Labs · Healthspan · Vitality Blueprint Standard · Vitality Blueprint Elite
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 Leptin. 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
Experts discussing Leptin
Podcast episodes where clinicians and researchers cover this marker in depth. Curated by hand; an episode is listed only when the marker is a substantial topic, not a passing mention.
- Are You Pre-Diabetic? Know Your NumbersDisclosure: Hyman co-founded Function Health, which appears in our blood-test comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal range for Leptin?
No institution or named practitioner we track states an optimal target for Leptin. General guidance without a named source: Low-normal for your sex (Tracks fat mass; lower levels alongside healthy body composition). Lab reference interval: Men: 1-5 ng/mL, Women: 7-13 ng/mL. That is what a lab report flags against, not an optimal target.
Which blood test providers include Leptin?
3 of the 21 blood testing panels we itemize marker by marker include Leptin 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 Aug 26, 2026 · First published Nov 30, 2025