How does the doctor know if you have metabolic syndrome?
How does the doctor know if you have metabolic syndrome?

Several tests may be needed for your doctor to be able to say that you have metabolic syndrome. Some of the tests that your physician may need to conduct include:

  1. Taking your blood pressure.
  2. Taking your weight and measuring your waist.
  3. Calculating your BMI (Body Mass Index). This is determined by comparing your height and weight.
  4. Administering a Lipid Profile. This is a blood test that measures your cholesterol and fat levels.
  5. A fasting glucose test. This measures the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood and indicates how well your body is able to change glucose into energy.

Your doctor may request other tests to obtain more information about your general health and determine if you are suffering from any of the conditions that tend to develop if you have metabolic syndrome. Such tests may include:

  1. A Fasting Insulin Test. This test measures the amount of insulin in your blood. Insulin is what allows you to burn sugar and produce the energy the cells of your body need. In individuals with metabolic syndrome, the insulin level is usually higher than normal. Your doctor may refer to this as being “elevated”.
  2. A Microalbumin Test or Microalbumin/creatinine Ratio Test. This test provides information about how well your kidneys are functioning. Since individuals with metabolic syndrome are at a higher risk for kidney disease, this test helps to determine if you need treatment for kidney problems.
  3. Hs-CRP Test. This test determines the amount of a specific protein that is in your blood. The protein that the test looks for is not bad in itself, but a higher than normal level indicates an increased amount of inflammation in your body. Most people think of inflammation as the swelling that occurs when you bruise a muscle or twist an ankle, but you can have inflammation throughout your body and not even be aware of it. Your blood vessels can become inflamed, as can your body’s organs, such as your heart. High levels of inflammation can predict a high risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, or stroke, and these are some of the serious health effects of metabolic syndrome. It is believed that high levels of cholesterol cause the lining of your blood vessels to become inflamed.
  4. Other tests are being used in the research of metabolic syndrome. If these tests prove useful in determining if a person has metabolic syndrome, your doctor may have you take them.

To learn more:

Diabetes Diagnosis
(National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: NDIC)
Find out how diabetes is diagnosed.
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/Diabetes/diagnos
is-diabetes-prediabetes/Pages/index.aspx
Understanding Your Tests
Lab Tests Online has been designed to help you to better understand the many clinical lab tests that are part of routine care as well as diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of conditions and diseases. The site is the product of a collaboration of professional societies representing the laboratory community.
https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/metabolic/start/1
Tool: BMI calculator
(MayoClinic.com)
The BMI calculator uses your height and weight to calculate your percentage of body fat.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/in-depth/bmi-calcula
tor/itt-20084938

next » How is metabolic syndrome treated?

Written by: Christopher A. Colthorpe, M.A., M.A.Ed., M.L.I.S.
Reviewed by: Jeffrey G. Schultze, M.D.
Last Modified: Monday October 16, 2017 10:00 AM