Leptin

Overview:

Leptin is produced by fat cells and acts on the brain to signal how much energy is stored, which in turn influences appetite and energy use. Levels broadly track the amount of body fat, so they are generally higher in people carrying more fat rather than lower. That is why most obesity does not reflect leptin deficiency but reduced responsiveness to it. True leptin deficiency is rare and inherited, and it causes severe early-onset obesity. Leptin is also low when body fat is very low, which is relevant in some eating disorders and in athletes who have lost their menstrual cycle.

Categories:

Metabolic, Hormone

Biomarkers:

1 biomarker