Insulin resistance/insensitivity is closely linked with obesity, and occurs when the body stops being responsive to insulin. This leads to higher and higher levels of insulin being secreted by the pancreas in an attempt to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Metabolic syndrome is thought to affect approximately 20-30% of the population in industrialised countries.
An association between certain metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease has been known since the 1940s. In the 1980s this association became more clearly defined and the term metabolic syndrome (also known as syndrome X, dysmetabolic syndrome or insulin resistance) was coined to designate a cluster of metabolic risk factors that come together in a single individual.
As is true with many medical conditions, genetics and the environment play important roles in the development of metabolic syndrome. Environmental issues such as low activity levels, sedentary lifestyle and progressive weight gain also contribute significantly to the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. It is present in about 5% of people with normal body weight, 22% of those who are overweight and 60% of those considered obese. Adults who continue to gain 5 or more pounds per year raise their risk of developing metabolic syndrome by up to 45%.
Metabolic syndrome is a condition that can pave the way to both diabetes and heart disease, two of the most common chronic diseases today. Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of type 2 diabetes anywhere from 9-30 times over the normal population, and the risk of cardiovascular disease from 2-4 times that of the normal population.
Other problems that stem from metabolic syndrome include:
Fatty liver
Kidney damage
Obstructive sleep apnoea
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Increased risk of dementia with ageing
Cognitive decline in the elderly
C-Reactive protein (High Sens)
Tryglyceride
Cholesterol
LDL-cholesterol
HDL-cholesterol
VLDL-c
TC / HDL ratio
TG / HDL ratio
Haemoglobin A1c (DCCT aligned)
Haemoglobin A1c (IFCC)
Insulin (fasting)
This test requires a blood sample and therefore a blood draw. You will need to arrange a blood draw via your GP or private phlebotomy service. The fee for any blood draw is not included with your test fee.
Samples must be received at the laboratory within 24 hours of the blood draw. Do not book a blood draw on a Friday-Sunday.
A light diet is recommend the day prior to taking the test. An overnight fast is also required – water is allowed during this time.
Discontinue any supplements and non-essential medication, as well as
aspirin and CHO-lowering drugs, for 48 hours prior to testing, unless your purpose in taking this test is to monitor therapy.
Do not stop any medication without consulting your GP.
2 years and above.
Please return via a next day service Monday – Thursday only. A courier option is sent with your test kit. You pay the laboratory directly for this test and also the return courier if you use the service. You can also make your own arrangements for returning your samples via a next day service.
7 working days.
Your test results will be emailed to you.
All sample reports are for representational and educational purposes only. Biomarkers, references ranges, results, and all other data may differ from actual reports. All data included in no way represents an actual patient. Any comparisons of results to actual patients is completely incidental.
Updated April 2020
