Call us: 1.877.283.7882 | Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM ET
Category: Hormones and Metabolism
Leptin testing may reveal why some women who have extremely low body weight become infertile, as a new study from researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has shown that low levels of the hormone may be the reason for disruptions in their menstrual cycle.
Often, women who have extremely low body weight, such as runners, dancers or individuals with eating disorders, stop menstruating. Doctors previously had no solutions for this problem, which can rob women of some of their most fertile years.
However, the research team found that leptin may be the answer. For the study, they examined 20 women who had stopped ovulating due to low body fat. Half of the participants were treated with a synthetic form of the hormone, while the remaining women were given a placebo.
After several weeks of treatment, many of the participants who received the active hormone began ovulating again and their leptin levels returned to normal.
"These findings suggest a role for leptin in improving a condition that results from faulty hormone signaling when levels of body fat are extremely low, and holds promise for future clinical applications," said Jeffery Flier, a Harvard researcher who has studied the hormone for years.
Related Articles from Private MD:
Subscribe to Private MD Health News RSS Feed:
News Categories:
Advanced Lipid Treatment I Allergy Testing Anemia and RBC disorders Autoimmune Diseases Bariatric Lab Testing Blood and Blood Diseases Breast Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers Celiac Disease Testing Chlamydia Coagulation and blood clotting disorders Colon Diabetes DNA, Paternity and Genetic testing Drug Screening Environmental Toxin Testing Female Specific Tests Gastrointestinal Diseases General Health General Wellness Heart Health and Cholesterol Herpes HIV HIV monitoring/Treatment/Testing/Post Diagnos Hormones and Metabolism Infectious Diseases Infertility Testing-Male Infertitlity Hormone Testing Kidney Diseases Leukemia and WBC disorders Liver Liver Diseases Lyme Disease Male Specific Tests Menopause/Peri-Menopausal Diagnosis Musculoskeletal Diseases Organ Specific Testing Ovarian Prostate Sexually Transmitted Diseases Thyroid Diseases Transgender Hormone Testing-female to male Transgender Hormone Testing-Male to Female Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment
Visit the Health News Archive: Click Here
Questions about online blood testing or how to order a lab test? Click here to get started or call us toll-free at 1.877.283.7882. Our professionals are ready to assist you.
Back to top