Leptin
The fat-cell hormone that signals fullness and tracks how much fat you carry.
Consider this test if:
- Investigating unexplained weight gain, persistent hunger, or stalled fat loss despite consistent effort
- Very low body fat, amenorrhea, or extreme caloric restriction affecting appetite hormones
- Working up suspected leptin resistance as part of a metabolic evaluation
- Tracking how a major weight change or intervention shifts appetite signaling
- Suspected rare genetic leptin deficiency or a hypothalamic-pituitary disorder
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Typical results in 4-5 days · Reviewed by a real clinician
- Drawn at a CLIA/CAP-accredited lab near you ·
Pre-test considerations
Leptin follows a daily rhythm and rises after meals, so draw a morning sample after an overnight fast for the most comparable results. Levels also shift with recent dieting, sleep loss, and acute changes in calorie intake, so keep conditions consistent when retesting. Gross lipemia or hemolysis can cause a sample to be rejected.
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What this test is for
Leptin is a hormone made by fat cells that tells the brain how much energy is stored as body fat and helps regulate appetite and body weight. Because production scales with fat mass, leptin levels rise as adipose tissue increases, and most people with obesity have high leptin alongside reduced sensitivity to its signal (leptin resistance) rather than a shortage. Low leptin is uncommon and points toward very low fat mass, including in athletes, severe caloric restriction, eating disorders, or rare genetic leptin deficiency. It is most informative for investigating unusual weight regulation, persistent hunger, or suspected hypothalamic and pituitary issues, and it is read alongside body composition, insulin, and overall metabolic context.
What to expect
- 1 Book instantly
Click, book, done. Choose a convenient lab location near you. Transparent, up-front pricing.
- 2 Quick lab visit
Testing to fit your busy schedule, usually 15 minutes or less. Walk-in and appointments available.
- 3 Typical results in 4-5 days
Your results post straight to your dashboard as soon as the lab completes them.
- 4 Expert guidance
Included with Mito membership. A clinician reviews your results and your personalized action plan follows, with clear next steps.
Everything your health needs,
in one membership
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Every test at our cost
Members pay our cost on every test, with lab fees passed straight through. The full receipt is itemized, never padded.
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Continuous tracking, all in one place
Upload past labs and watch your trends over time. Every marker and visit lives in one longitudinal record, so all your care stays together.
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Year-round clinician support
Text anytime and get clinician-reviewed answers. When you want to go deeper, 1:1 consultations are available at affordable rates.
All for $9/month
Order any test or consult without joining. For $9/month, members unlock member prices, trend tracking, and year-round clinician guidance.
Mito Membership
$9 /mo
cancel anytime
Without membership
$0
pay as you go
At-cost pricing on labs, scans, and more
Priority turnaround on your results
On-demand clinician consults when you need guidance
Personalized action plans across supplements, exercise, nutrition, and sleep
AI health coaching to help you act on your results
Year-round medical support, with in-chat clinician escalation
All your health records in one personal vault, with trends and biological age tracking
Early access to new diagnostics and product releases
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Frequently asked questions
View all FAQsHow does pricing work?
Every test shows the member price next to the standard non-member price, so you can see what membership saves you. The member price is our cost — covering the lab and what it takes to run the service — never a profit on the test itself; Mito makes its money on the $9 membership, not on marking up your tests. Membership is $9/mo, and you still pay the lab’s order fee. Prices are itemized before you pay, with no hidden fees.
Where do I get tested?
Choose a partner lab (Quest, Labcorp, or BioReference) at checkout. If your cart spans multiple tests, we consolidate the whole order onto a single lab so you only make one visit.
Is this eligible for HSA/FSA?
Yes. This test is HSA/FSA eligible, and you can pay with your HSA/FSA card at checkout.
When will I get my results?
Your results post to your dashboard once your lab completes them, then a clinician reviews them and your full analysis and personalized action plan (with clear next steps) follow. Turnaround varies by test: specialty assays and at-home kits take longer, and each test shows its expected turnaround before you buy.
Do I need a doctor’s order?
No. Mito provides the lab order for you, so you can book and get tested without a separate doctor visit.
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