What does the Adiponectin test measure?

Why is Adiponectin measured?

Low adiponectin is a biomarker of metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance, correlating with visceral adiposity, type 2 diabetes risk, and cardiovascular disease. It is not a routine diagnostic test but a research-validated marker that practitioners use to refine metabolic risk stratification, monitor interventions aimed at improving insulin sensitivity, and assess residual cardiometabolic risk in patients with central obesity or metabolic syndrome despite acceptable conventional lipid and glucose measures.

Reference ranges

Standard reference

Approximately 3–30 µg/mL, sex- and assay-specific; women typically higher than men.

Functional medicine optimal

Functional and epidemiological studies suggest that concentrations above 10 µg/mL in men and above 15 µg/mL in women are associated with better insulin sensitivity and lower cardiovascular risk, though these thresholds are not standardised across assays.

Units

µg/mL, mg/L

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.