Fasting triglycerides–A certain kind of fat found in your blood. Higher than normal is 150 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) or higher.
Fasting blood glucose—This means 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or higher.
Blood pressure—Higher than normal is defined as a reading 130/85 mm Hg or more.
• Extra fat around the waist or belly. It’s defined as:
- Waist size 40 inches (102 cm) or more in men (may differ based on your ethnic background or size)
- Waist size 35 inches (89 cm) or more in women (may differ based on your ethnic background or size)
Fasting HDL cholesterol—HDL is the good cholesterol. This breaks down and removes bad cholesterol from the body. It's defined as:
- Less than 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) in men
- Levels less than 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women

Tests Done In a Doctor's Office

Measure the waist around the hips and belly button
Take your blood pressure

Blood Tests

A fasting test means you should stop eating after dinner the night before. In the morning, blood will be taken for:

Glucose levels
Cholesterol levels:
- Total cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- LDL cholesterol—bad cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol—good cholesterol

References:

Metabolic syndrome. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/nutritional-disorders/obesity-and-the-metabolic-syndrome/metabolic-syndrome. Updated December 2016. August 27, 2018.

Metabolic syndrome. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome. Accessed August 27, 2018.

Metabolic syndrome in adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed... . Updated March 29, 2018. Accessed August 27, 2018.

Symptoms and diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. American Heart Association website. Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-and-diagnosis-of-metabolic-syndrome. Accessed August 27, 2018.

Last reviewed May 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Marcin Chwistek, MD
Last Updated: 8/27/2018

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