Leptin Test
The leptin test measures leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells, in a blood sample. Leptin levels vary with the amount of fat stored in the body's adipose tissue, and clinicians read the result together with a person's broader history rather than on its own.
About this test
Leptin is a hormone made by fat cells, and it plays a role in how the body regulates weight. Quest describes the test as measuring the concentration of leptin in blood serum, and notes that leptin levels vary directly with the amount of fat stored in adipose tissue.
The sample is analyzed using electrochemiluminescence, a method that produces a single concentration value. Because that value moves with body fat stores, clinicians read it as one data point among others rather than as a standalone answer, and it is the ordering clinician who decides how the result fits into a person's care.
Test details
| Quest code | 90367 |
|---|---|
| Methodology | Electrochemiluminescence |
| Sample type | 1 mL serum |
| Collection | Quest patient service center |
Related tests and panels
Quest resources
Additional details
What this test looks at
The test reports one value: the concentration of leptin in a serum sample. Leptin is produced by fat cells, and its level is tied to the amount of fat the body has stored. Quest lists a single analyte, leptin, for this test.
Order online and a physician order is included — no doctor's visit and no insurance needed. Your sample is collected at a Quest Diagnostics patient service center.
Laboratory results should always be interpreted by a licensed clinician who knows your health history. This page is information about a test, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does the leptin test measure?
It measures the concentration of leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells, in a blood serum sample using an electrochemiluminescence method.
How is the leptin sample collected?
The test uses a serum sample from a routine blood draw.
Do I need to prepare for a leptin test?
No preparation instructions are listed for this test, though people follow any instructions their ordering clinician provides.
Why does leptin relate to body weight?
Leptin is made by fat cells, and Quest describes leptin levels as varying directly with the amount of fat stored in the body's adipose tissue, which is why it is discussed in the context of body weight regulation.
Can I get the Leptin test without a doctor's visit or insurance?
Yes. The $155 cash price includes an independent physician's order, so no referral is needed, and insurance is never involved.