Metabolic Syndrome Panel

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by a cluster of metabolic abnormalities associated with an increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), diabetes, stroke, and certain types of cancer. The risk factors of MetS include abdominal obesity, decreased levels of HDL-cholesterol, elevated blood triglycerides, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. MetS often goes unnoticed and untreated. Early diagnosis might enable early intervention, appropriate and timely MetS management, potentially preventing the development of more serious pathologies, and increasing quality-of-life and longevity. There are numerous circulating biomarkers to predict clinical outcomes in pre-MetS individuals and aid to reduce risks of subsequent morbidities. Currently accepted blood markers include adipokines, especially adiponectin/leptin ratio, low intense inflammation marker hsCRP, and MetS and CVD prognostic markers like adipocyte FABP and GDF-15.