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Endotoxin Levels

Meaning

Endotoxin levels refer to the concentration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a potent pro-inflammatory molecule derived from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, found circulating in the bloodstream or localized within the gastrointestinal tract. Elevated systemic endotoxin levels, a condition often termed metabolic endotoxemia, are clinically significant as they trigger a low-grade, chronic inflammatory response that can profoundly disrupt endocrine signaling, including insulin sensitivity and thyroid axis function. Monitoring these levels provides insight into gut barrier integrity and systemic inflammatory load.