Hunger Hormone Leptin Linked to Fibromyalgia Pain

Leptin, a hormone that regulates hunger and numerous other body functions, is under scrutiny for its possible role in Fibromyalgia. Recent research performed by Jarred Younger at the University of Alabama at Birmingham has shown that leptin levels fluctuate along with pain. Higher levels of pain were associated with increased leptin levels.
Younger’s interest in Fibromyalgia stems back to time spent in Standard University medical school where he was studying pain. His studies led to the discovery that leptin was more elevated in Fibromyalgia patients compared to healthy individuals.
Leptin is capable of passing through the blood-brain barrier and Younger suspects this may cause the elusive symptoms described by the 2 to 8 percent of the population who suffers from this disease.
Younger’s research isn’t alone. Leptin has been implicated for its role in pain and inflammation in a prior study presented at the American College of Rheumatology in 2014 as well.
Although causation has not yet been established, this interesting breakthrough warrants further discussion and research on leptin and its relation to chronic pain.