Category: Weight

Editorial status: Draft for named medical and laboratory review. Product URLs are supported by current Ulta Lab Tests search and internal-link evidence but still require a final in-site canonical check before publication. Obesity is a […]

What is leptin, and should it be tested for weight loss? Leptin is a hormone made mainly by fat cells. It carries information about stored energy to the brain, especially the hypothalamus, and helps coordinate […]

Direct Answer Cortisol helps the body make fuel available during physical or psychological demands. Sustained pathologic cortisol excess, as occurs in Cushing syndrome, can raise glucose, impair insulin action, increase blood pressure, and alter body-fat […]

Direct Answer Progesterone is central to post-ovulation reproductive physiology, the menstrual cycle, the uterine lining, and pregnancy, but current evidence does not show that it independently causes sustained body-fat gain or produces weight loss. Natural […]

Heart failure blood tests help answer different parts of the diagnostic puzzle. BNP or NT-proBNP can show that the heart is under increased wall stress, while kidney, electrolyte, blood-count, iron, thyroid, glucose, lipid, and liver […]

What blood tests are used for metabolic health, weight loss, and GLP-1 monitoring? Metabolic health blood tests can help evaluate glucose regulation, cardiovascular risk, liver and kidney function, thyroid function, blood-cell patterns, and selected nutrient […]

Healthy aging blood tests can help identify treatable risks that affect bone strength, muscle function, metabolic health, cardiovascular risk, kidney function, nutrition, and recovery. No single blood test measures longevity, and a larger panel is […]

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) can progress silently, allowing liver scarring to develop before symptoms appear. Assessing MASLD fibrosis risk requires more than ALT and AST: these enzymes may reflect liver-cell injury, but they do not […]

Obstructive sleep apnea, commonly called OSA, is a sleep-related breathing disorder in which the upper airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep. Each event may reduce airflow, lower blood oxygen, interrupt normal sleep, and activate […]

Rapid weight loss with medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide can lead to meaningful changes in body weight, appetite, blood sugar, and cardiometabolic health. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, commonly called a GLP-1 […]

GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide can help manage blood glucose, body weight, and certain cardiometabolic risks when prescribed for an appropriate patient. Like all prescription medicines, however, they can cause side effects. Most are […]

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition in which excess fat accumulates in the liver when the buildup is not primarily explained by heavy alcohol consumption. The condition is now more commonly called metabolic dysfunction-associated […]

Reducing belly fat is about more than changing how your waist looks. Fat stored deep inside the abdomen—known as visceral fat—surrounds internal organs and is associated with insulin resistance, abnormal cholesterol, fatty liver disease, inflammation, […]

Protein is essential for building and repairing muscle, maintaining skin and bone, producing enzymes and hormones, supporting immune function, and preserving lean body mass. However, protein needs are individual, and consuming more protein does not […]

Many people who struggle with unexplained weight changes wonder, “Can thyroid disorders cause weight gain?” The answer is yes, thyroid problems can contribute to weight gain, especially when the thyroid is underactive. However, thyroid-related weight gain is […]

Visceral fat is one of the most important — and most overlooked — factors affecting long-term health. Unlike the fat you can see or pinch under the skin, visceral fat is stored deep inside the […]

What This Guide Will Help You Do with Optimal Blood Test Ranges Think your lab results are “normal,” so everything must be fine? Not necessarily. The reference ranges printed on most blood and urine reports simply […]

Maintaining hormonal harmony is essential for overall health, especially during menopause. Among the various hormones involved, estrone (E1) plays a pivotal role. Understanding estrone can help manage menopausal symptoms and promote well-being. This article delves […]

Empowering Student Health: 24/7 Direct Access to Low-Cost Lab Tests. Navigating school can be tough, and maintaining student health is vital to doing well. That's where Ulta Lab Tests, your dedicated student health center, comes […]

Learning how to lose weight after menopause is a big topic for many. Menopause means a woman's period stops for good, and it brings a lot of changes, especially with hormones. One big change is […]

Healthy weight maintenance becomes increasingly challenging as our metabolic rate naturally slows with age. This shift can complicate weight loss efforts, as metabolism—the process by which our bodies convert what we consume into energy—undergoes significant […]

In recent years, the question "Does Inflammation Cause Weight Gain?" has sparked considerable interest and debate in the health and wellness community. Inflammation, often a protective response by the body, can have complex implications when […]

Introduction: Why Excess Estrogen Matters Estrogen is an essential hormone that supports reproductive health, bone strength, brain function, heart health, skin health, and overall wellness. But when estrogen levels become too high, or when estrogen […]

"What is the ice hack for weight loss?" is a question many are asking in the dynamic world of weight loss, where new trends and methods frequently arise, promising swift and substantial results. The ice […]

For years, those living with type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease have searched for effective diabetes medications to manage their health better. Semaglutide, an FDA-approved medication, has emerged as a beacon of hope for […]