Testing for Metabolic Syndrome

A doctor may suspect a patient has Metabolic Syndrome if the patient has central/abdominal obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, but both laboratory and non-laboratory tests are important in establishing this diagnosis.  Recommended tests may include:

  • Lipid Profile:  A lipid profile measures HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol), trigylcerides and VLDL (very low density lipoprotein).  If the triglycerides are significantly elevated, a DLDL (direct measurement of the LDL) may need to be done

  • Glucose:  Usually a fasting glucose test is performed, but in some cases a doctor may also order a post prandial glucose test (after a meal). The goal of a glucose test is to determine whether the patient has an impaired response to glucose.

Other laboratory tests that are not recommended for diagnosing metabolic syndrome but may be ordered by doctors to provide additional information may include:

    • Insulin.  The fasting insulin test is considered too variable to be clinically useful in diagnosing metabolic syndrome but, if measured, will usually be elevated in those affected.

    • Microalbumin.  An early indicator of kidney disease, this test is used to help monitor diabetics.

    • Hs-CRP.  A measure of low levels of inflammation that may be tested as part of an evaluation of cardiac risk.

    • SdLDL. A measurement of the number of small dense low-density lipoprotein molecules a patient has. LDL varies in size and the smaller denser molecules, which tend to form when elevated triglycerides and VLDL are present in the blood, are thought to be more aggressive in causing atherosclerosis. This test is now commercially available but is not performed by many labs and is not ordered frequently. 

Non-Laboratory Tests

  • Blood Pressure.  To check for hypertension

  • Weight and waist circumference. To document abdominal obesity

  • BMI (Body Mass Index). An alternate measure of obesity that is used by many doctors. It is calculated by taking: (Weight in pounds x 705) / height in inches squared); for example (150 lbs x 705) / (67 inches x 67inches) = BMI of 23.5.  An adult with a BMI greater than 30 is considered obese.

 
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Disclaimer: This information is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any question you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.