HDL

Yesterday I shared a bit about the metabolic syndrome (scroll down to read), the constellation of risk factors that are deemed to represent a critical risk for developing other serious medical issues over time – including cardiovascular (heart) disease, cerebrovascular (i.e. strokes), diabetes, and several more.

Let’s take a more detailed look today at the diagnostic criteria for the metabolic syndrome and the most common symptoms it produces.

Diagnosing the Metabolic Syndrome

By the standard criteria in place today, you’re considered to have the metabolic syndrome if you have at least three of these five key criteria:

Waistline measurement of > 40 inches for men, > 35 inches for women.

Fasting triglyceride level above 150 mg/dl.

HDL (high density lipoprotein) level < 40 mg/dl for men, <  50 mg/dl for women.

Fasting blood glucose level > 100 mg/dl OR are taking glucose-lowering meds.

Blood pressure 130/85 or higher OR are taking meds to lower your blood pressure.

While not considered a diagnostic criteria, many people also have the skin changes of acanthosis nigricans (darkened skin under the arms or on the back of the neck) or skin tags.

Common Symptoms of the Metabolic Syndrome

Somewhat ironically, there aren’t any immediate symptoms associated with development of the metabolic syndrome; these changes develop over time, allowing our often over-developed sense of personal denial to strengthen as well.

An expanding waistline is surely a readily visible sign, particularly when it’s prominently deposited on the trunk and abdomen, though a person could be “skinny as a rail” and still have hypertension (high blood pressure), a high fasting blood sugar, high triglycerides, low HDL and be labeled as having the metabolic syndrome.

If in doubt, consult your physician, assess your risk factors with simple lab analysis, and chart your course for recovery.

Steps to take in dealing with a “diagnosis” of the metabolic syndrome will follow.