---
title: "What does a low Adiponectin mean?"
type: biomarker-interpretation
url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/adiponectin/low"
biomarker: Adiponectin
direction: low
reference_range:
  - "age 18+: 4.00 – 20.0 mcg/mL"
reviewed_at: 2026-09-08
review_status: reviewed
date_published: 2026-09-05
---

# What does a low Adiponectin mean?

> Adiponectin is a hormone from fat tissue that improves insulin sensitivity, and — counterintuitively — falls as body fat rises. Low adiponectin is a marker of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes risk, fatty liver and cardiovascular risk; it is typically lower in men and in people with central obesity. Weight loss, exercise, Mediterranean-style eating and some diabetes medications (TZDs) raise it.


## What is the normal range for Adiponectin?

- age 18+: 4.00 – 20.0 mcg/mL

Often reflects insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes risk, or metabolic syndrome.

## What are the common causes of low Adiponectin?

1. Central obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome
2. Fatty liver disease
3. Sedentary lifestyle, high-refined-carbohydrate diet
4. Male sex (lower baseline), smoking
5. Some genetic variants

## What symptoms go with low Adiponectin?

- None directly; those of metabolic syndrome

## What do clinicians usually check next?

- A1c, fasting insulin, lipids, liver enzymes (ALT)
- Weight loss and aerobic exercise raise adiponectin within months
- Clinician review of cardiometabolic risk

Follow-up tests at TestWell: [ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/alt) ($18.99).

## How do you recheck Adiponectin?

| Test or panel | Type | Price | Fasting | Results |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Total Body Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/total-body-panel) | Panel (49 tests) | $499.99 | Yes | 5–10 business days |
| [Adiponectin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/adiponectin) | Test | $36.99 | Yes | 5–7 business days |

Plus one $6 lab processing fee per order; physician authorization included.

## Common questions

### Is adiponectin a standard test?

It is a research-grade metabolic marker, not part of routine guidelines. It adds context about insulin sensitivity; the decisions still rest on A1c, lipids and blood pressure.

## Related

- [Adiponectin reference ranges](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/adiponectin)
- [Total Testosterone reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/total-testosterone)
- [Free Testosterone reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/free-testosterone)
- [SHBG reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/shbg)

## Sources

- [Quest Diagnostics](https://testdirectory.questdiagnostics.com/test/test-detail/16335/adiponectin)

---

Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-08. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/editorial-policy

Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/adiponectin/low
Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt

Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.