Making the Diagnosis
In order to diagnose your condition, your doctor will likely ask about your medical history, perform a physical examination, and analyze your blood.
If you have 3 out of 5 of the following health risks, it is likely that you have metabolic syndrome:
- excess body weight (waist circumference greater than 40 inches (102 cm) for men and greater than 35 inches (88 cm) for women
- high blood pressure - 130/85 mm Hg or higher
- high levels of triglycerides (blood fats) - 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) or higher
- low levels of "good" cholesterol (HDL) - less than 40 mg/dL (1 mmol/L) for men and less than 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) for women
- high levels of fasting blood sugar (glucose) - 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or higher