How Do You Test for Metabolic Syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is not strictly speaking a health condition but a group of health conditions that together can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.
With an increasingly ageing population, the number of people being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome is rising. So much so that some healthcare professionals believe it will soon overtake smoking as the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, it is possible to test for metabolic syndrome, enabling you to take a proactive approach to managing your risk or seeking any necessary treatment.
In this article, we explore what testing for metabolic syndrome involves, common symptoms of related conditions, and how you can help mitigate your risk by making lifestyle changes or seeking appropriate medical treatments.
What is metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is not a specific health condition but rather a group of health conditions that together can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.
To receive a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, it is necessary for you to meet at least three of the following factors:
- Abdominal obesity – A waist circumference of more than 40 inches for males greater than 35 inches for females
- High blood pressure – A blood pressure reading of 130/80 mm Hg or higher
- Elevated blood sugar levels – A fasting blood sugar level above 5.5mmol/l
- Raised triglycerides (cholesterol) – Levels above 1.7 mmol/L
- Reduced HDL (good) cholesterol – Levels below 1 mmol/L in males and 1.2 mmol/L in females
Each of these factors can individually increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke and should be taken seriously. But when you have three or more of these metabolic syndrome characteristics, you are at significantly higher risk and should see the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome as a warning that you need to take proactive action to improve your health.
Causes of metabolic syndrome
Although the exact causes of metabolic syndrome are not fully understood, several factors are linked to the condition, including being overweight or obese, living a sedentary lifestyle, and having impaired glucose tolerance. Impaired glucose tolerance is when your body’s cells don’t correctly respond to insulin, a hormone that regulates your blood sugar levels.
Different people are at different risk of developing some of these underlying causes of metabolic syndrome. Understanding your risk factors for developing these linked causes can help you take a proactive approach to managing your risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
The most common risk factors include:
- Age – your likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome increases as you age
- Ethnicity – people of certain ethnicities can be at greater risk of certain causes linked to metabolic syndrome
- Body mass index (BMI) – BMI measures body fat compared with height and weight, and anything greater than 25 puts you at increased risk
- Family history of diabetes – having a family member with type 2 diabetes can increase your risk of metabolic syndrome
- Personal history of diabetes – if you had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, you may be at increased risk of metabolic syndrome
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Eating a diet high in saturated fats
- Not exercising regularly
- Living a very stressful life
- For females being post-menopausal
What are the symptoms of metabolic syndrome?
Generally, there are no specific symptoms of metabolic syndrome, but you may experience the symptoms of conditions related to it.
For example, if you have high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol levels, you are unlikely to experience any symptoms or be aware that you have these conditions until you get tested.
However, if you have high blood sugar levels, you may notice symptoms, including:
- Darkened skin in your armpits or the back and sides of your neck, known as acanthosis nigricans
- Blurred vision
- Increased thirst
- More frequent urination
- Fatigue
How do you test for metabolic syndrome?
To test for metabolic syndrome, a health assessment specialist will perform a series of tests. These usually involve measuring your weight, blood pressure, and waist circumference, performing a series of blood tests, including cholesterol and fasting glucose tests, and asking you questions about your personal and familial medical history.
If you are found to have at least three of the five criteria based on the results of your examination and metabolic syndrome test, you will be diagnosed as having metabolic syndrome.
It is important to note that many of the tests used to diagnose metabolic syndrome are routine tests often carried out as part of an annual health assessment. This means it is possible to receive a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome or find out you’re at risk of certain related health conditions following a routine health check.
Metabolic syndrome treatment
The treatment for metabolic syndrome varies depending on the causes specific to you. However, the key aim for healthcare professionals is to help you reduce your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes if you have not already developed either of these conditions. As a result, treatments can involve medications and lifestyle changes.
Lifestyle changes for managing metabolic syndrome
As many of the factors that can increase your risk of developing metabolic syndrome are modifiable, it is possible to make lifestyle changes to help lower your risk. This can include things like:
- Maintaining or working towards a healthy health
- Getting regular exercise – being active can help combat insulin resistance, improve the health of your cardiovascular system, and may help you lose weight.
- Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet low in saturated fats and high in whole foods, like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, and lean poultry.
- Trying to improve the quality of your sleep – a lack of sleep can worsen metabolic syndrome or contribute to its development.
- Reducing or quitting smoking – smoking is linked to lower HDL levels and higher blood pressure so quitting is important to your overall health.
- Managing your stress levels – high cortisol levels (the stress hormone) over long periods can increase your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and triglycerides.
Medications and medical treatments for managing metabolic syndrome
For some people, lifestyle changes alone are not enough to reduce their risk of metabolic syndrome and the associated increased risk of health conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Instead, they need medications or medical treatments to help them to reduce their risk. This can include:
- Cholesterol medications such as statins can help lower cholesterol levels.
- Blood pressure medications.
- Oral diabetes medications which work in various ways to help lower your blood sugar levels.
- Bariatric or weight loss surgery if other weight loss methods have proved ineffective.
- Sleeping disorder treatments such as medications or a - CPAP machine for sleep apnoea.
- Talking therapy can be used to help you identify, change, and manage unhealthy emotions, thoughts, or behaviours like stress.
Private health assessments for complete peace of mind
People with metabolic syndrome often do not experience any symptoms, so regular health assessments that include tests for metabolic syndrome can be beneficial. Not only do regular health assessments offer comprehensive insights into your overall health, but they can also alert you to any potential issues and enable you to take proactive steps to reduce any metabolic syndrome characteristics.
At Bluecrest Wellness, we offer a range of full-body health assessment packages that provide vital insights into your overall health and wellbeing. Our health MOTS include a range of key blood tests, as well as important metrics like your blood pressure and weight and your risk of common medical conditions, like diabetes. A heart disease and stroke risk package is available ensuring you get the necessary health metrics used to test for metabolic syndrome.
We use the latest technologies to ensure accurate results for all our tests. What’s more, we provide you with a comprehensive Results Report and free access to a 24/7 GP helpline for a year for complete peace of mind following your health assessment.
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