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Initially, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), which is part of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health, published criteria for diagnosing metabolic syndrome in their Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III)—also known as ATP III.
According to the report, you have metabolic syndrome if you have at least three out of five of the following conditions:
There are a number of non-laboratory tests (ie, those that can be done in your doctor’s office) and laboratory tests that your doctor may want to perform, including:
Non-Laboratory Tests
Laboratory Tests
Glucose tests—These tests check your blood sugar levels and make sure they are within normal range. There are a few ways that this can be accomplished:
Tests for cholesterol levels —These tests are also called lipid profile tests and are often done all together. Tests for these types of cholesterol can all be done by your doctor. He or she will test a sample of your blood taken from the arm or a fingerstick.
Associated Diseases
Patients with the metabolic syndrome may also have the following diseases:
References:
Deen D. Metabolic Syndrome: time for action. Am Fam Physician. 2004;69:2875-2882.
Gami AS, Witt BJ, Howard DE, et al. Metabolic syndrome and risk of incident cardiovascular events and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2007;49:403-414.
Getting tough with metabolic syndrome. Post Grad Med. Available at: http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2004/01_04/metabolic_foldout.pdf . Accessed July 28, 2005.
Grundy SM. Metabolic syndrome: a multiplex cardiovascular risk factor. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92:399-404.
Grundy SM, Cleeman JI, Daniels SR, et al. Diagnosis and management of the metabolic syndrome. Circulation. 2005;112:e285-e290.
Metabolic syndrome. American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4756 . Accessed July 28, 2005.
Metabolic syndrome. The Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3000/3057.asp?index=10783 . Accessed July 28, 2005.
Reaven GM. The metabolic syndrome: requiescat in pace. Clin Chem. 2005; 51: 931-938.
Tan CE, Ma S, Wai D, et al: Can we apply the National Cholesterol Education program Adult Treatment Panel Definition of the Metabolic Syndrome to Asians? Diabetes Care. 2004;27:1182-1186.
Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III): Executive Summary. National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol/atp3xsum.pdf . Accessed August 1, 2005.
Last reviewed February 2009 by David Juan, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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