Overview
A healthcare provider will do a physical exam and order blood tests if they think you might be at risk for or have metabolic syndrome. They’ll check your blood pressure and may measure the circumference around your waist.
They’ll order blood tests, like:
- Lipid panel: This panel includes four different cholesterol measurements and a measurement of your triglycerides.
- Basic metabolic panel (BMP): This panel measures eight substances in your blood and gives an overall view of your health.
- Fasting glucose test: A BMP includes a blood glucose reading, but if you didn’t fast for the BMP, your provider may have you get a blood test that checks your blood sugar after fasting for eight to 12 hours.
If you have at least three of the five criteria based on the results of these tests and the exam, you’ll have metabolic syndrome.
These blood tests are typically routine tests. So, your provider may tell you that you have metabolic syndrome (or are at risk for certain health conditions) after routine tests.
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