Ulta Lab Tests

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that tend to occur together and raise the chance of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver. It’s typically defined by a combination of abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and elevated glucose. A proactive testing plan focuses on the lab markers that confirm risk and track trends over time. Start with a lipid panel (triglycerides, HDL), fasting glucose and A1c, and consider liver enzymes to screen for fatty liver. Add fasting insulin with HOMA-IR when early insulin resistance is suspected.

Lab testing can identify risk early, create a clear baseline, and guide follow-up with your clinician. Testing cannot diagnose or manage on its own, replace a physical exam (including waist and blood pressure), or give treatment advice. Use results alongside your history, vitals, and—if available—home readings.

Signs, Symptoms & Related Situations

  • Body & vitals: increased waist size, elevated blood pressure, weight gain centered at the abdomen.

  • Lab clues: high triglycerides, low HDL, rising fasting glucose or A1c, mildly elevated ALT.

  • Everyday signals: fatigue after meals, sugar cravings, acanthosis nigricans (dark, velvety patches on skin), skin tags, snoring/sleep apnea.

  • Family & history: type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome.

  • When to seek urgent care: chest pain, severe shortness of breath, focal weakness, or confusion.
    All symptoms and results should be evaluated by a qualified clinician.

Why These Tests Matter

What testing can do

  • Confirm the biochemical criteria for metabolic syndrome (lipids, glucose).

  • Detect insulin resistance and fatty liver risk before complications appear.

  • Provide objective trends to plan follow-up timing and intensity.

What testing cannot do

  • Replace a full clinical evaluation, blood pressure checks, or waist measurement.

  • Explain every out-of-range result—hydration, illness, timing, and medicines can affect labs.

What These Tests Measure (at a glance)

  • Lipid Panel (Triglycerides, HDL, LDL, non-HDL): core markers for metabolic syndrome criteria and heart risk. Caveat: be consistent with fasting vs non-fasting.

  • Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG): current glucose after an 8–12-hour fast. Caveat: stress or illness can raise values.

  • A1c: average glucose over ~2–3 months; complements fasting glucose. Caveat: less reliable with certain anemias, kidney disease, pregnancy, or hemoglobin variants.

  • Fasting Insulin & HOMA-IR (calculated): early signal of insulin resistance. Caveat: unit and assay differences; use trends, not single cutoffs.

  • ALT/AST (Liver Enzymes): screening clues for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Caveat: many non-metabolic causes can elevate enzymes.

  • hs-CRP (optional): inflammation context that may relate to cardiometabolic risk. Caveat: nonspecific—interpret with other markers.

  • Uric Acid (optional): metabolic risk signal for some individuals. Caveat: affected by diet/medications.

  • 2-Hour OGTT (optional): reveals post-meal glucose spikes when results are borderline. Caveat: requires precise timing and preparation.

How the Testing Process Works

  1. Choose a starting set: lipid panel + fasting glucose + A1c, and consider ALT/AST for fatty liver risk.

  2. Add insulin resistance testing: fasting insulin (to calculate HOMA-IR) if early resistance is suspected.

  3. Prepare & collect: follow any fasting instructions; complete a standard blood draw.

  4. See results securely: most results post within a few days to your online account.

  5. Review with your clinician: align labs with waist size, blood pressure, and family history; plan next steps and re-testing.

Interpreting Results (General Guidance)

  • Triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL or HDL <40 (men) / <50 (women) support metabolic syndrome criteria.

  • Fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL or A1c ≥5.7% indicates increased glycemic risk; confirm patterns over time.

  • Elevated fasting insulin/HOMA-IR suggests early resistance even when glucose is “normal.”

  • Mildly high ALT may point to fatty liver—interpret with lipids, glucose, and imaging when indicated.
    Emphasize trends over single values and always review results with a qualified professional.

Choosing Panels vs. Individual Tests

  • Foundational screen: Lipid panel + fasting glucose + A1c ± ALT/AST.

  • Borderline or mismatched results: add fasting insulin/HOMA-IR and consider a 2-hour OGTT.

  • Expanded risk profiling: include non-HDL cholesterol, ApoB (if available), hs-CRP, and uric acid for context.

  • Ongoing tracking: repeat lipids, A1c, fasting glucose (and insulin/HOMA-IR if used) on a schedule set with your clinician.

FAQs

What qualifies as metabolic syndrome?
A combination of abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL, elevated blood pressure, and elevated glucose—meeting a defined number of these criteria.

Do I need to fast for these tests?
Yes for fasting glucose, fasting insulin/HOMA-IR, and many lipid panels. A1c does not require fasting.

Can I have insulin resistance with normal glucose?
Yes. Elevated fasting insulin/HOMA-IR can appear before glucose rises.

Is ALT a liver test for metabolic syndrome?
ALT can be a screening clue for fatty liver, which often accompanies metabolic syndrome, but it’s not specific.

Which marker should I follow most closely?
Track triglycerides, HDL, fasting glucose/A1c, and—if used—fasting insulin/HOMA-IR; watch trends with your clinician.

How often should I retest?
Frequency is individualized. Many people repeat key labs at planned intervals to watch progress.

Internal Links & Cross-References

  • Diabetes Tests Hub

  • Insulin Resistance

  • Diabetes Screening

  • Blood Sugar Monitoring

  • Lipid Panel & Heart Risk

  • Fatty Liver (NAFLD)

  • Key Lab Tests: Lipid Panel • Fasting Plasma Glucose • A1c • Fasting Insulin • HOMA-IR (Calculated) • ALT/AST • hs-CRP • Uric Acid • 2-Hour OGTT

References

  1. American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Metabolic Syndrome—Assessment and Risk.

  2. National Cholesterol Education Program (ATP III). Clinical Identification of the Metabolic Syndrome.

  3. American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes—Prediabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, and Risk Management.

  4. International Diabetes Federation. Consensus Worldwide Definition of the Metabolic Syndrome.

  5. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Metabolic Syndrome—Basics.

  6. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. NAFLD Practice Guidance.

  7. National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program. Factors That Interfere With HbA1c Results.

  8. International Federation of Clinical Chemistry. Considerations for Insulin Assay Harmonization.

Available Tests & Panels

Your metabolic syndrome test menu is pre-populated in the Ulta Lab Tests system. Start with a lipid panel + fasting glucose + A1c, add ALT/AST for fatty liver risk, and include fasting insulin/HOMA-IR for early resistance. Use filters to compare individual markers and bundled panels, and review all results with your clinician.

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All About Metabolic Syndrome

5 Benefits of Metabolic Syndrome Tests

One-third of adults in the United States suffer from metabolic syndrome. A sedentary lifestyle and poor diet both contribute to this health condition.

A metabolic syndrome test is a simple way to check your health. Blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and other body systems need to stay on track to ensure the body is functioning properly.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic Syndrome is not a disease; it is the combination of multiple health issues. High blood sugar, high cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, fatty midsection, and high blood pressure all contribute to this medical condition.

A metabolic syndrome diagnosis comes when a patient suffers from at least three of these issues. These issues can lead to larger, more serious health issues.

Causes of Metabolic Syndrome

Although a combination of factors cause Metabolic Syndrome, according to the Mayo Clinic, the biggest contributors are obesity, inactivity, and insulin resistance.

Age, being of Hispanic origin, and diabetes will increase the chances of developing metabolic syndrome.

Signs and Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome

Because there are so many factors that play into the diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome, it is important to pay attention to small symptoms.

Blood Sugar

High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, can cause Type 2 Diabetes. A healthy blood sugar level for adults who do not suffer from Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes is 90 - 110 mg/dL.

High blood sugar can come from illness and stress, but most often, it is the result of over-eating. A person with high blood sugar levels can experience exhaustion, extreme thirst, poor eyesight, and frequent urination.

Continual high blood sugar levels can lead to heart disease and damage to the nerves, kidneys, blood vessels, eyes, feet, and mouth.

Managing high blood sugar can be easy with a healthy diet, portion control, and daily exercise.

Cholesterol

There are both good and bad types of Cholesterol. While good cholesterol helps the body's cell system, bad cholesterol will override any work done.

Bad cholesterol causes arteries to clog and increases the chance of blood clots. This can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and heart disease.

While high cholesterol can sometimes be genetic, oftentimes, it is the result of an unhealthy lifestyle. There are no symptoms of high cholesterol, so blood tests must be taken to detect it.

Triglyceride Levels

Triglycerides are fatty deposits in the blood used for energy. Sometimes referred to as "lipids," triglycerides are derived from foods like carbohydrates.

The target level for triglycerides is less than 150 mg per deciliter. Higher levels increase the risk of heart disease. 

Like cholesterol, there are no symptoms for high triglycerides. Levels can be checked with a blood test after a fast.

Healthy eating and daily movement are both important steps to take to maintain healthy triglyceride levels.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the rate at which blood flows through the blood vessels. If the pressure is too high, this can cause high blood pressure or hypertension.

Blood pressure is measured by looking at the systolic number, on the top, compared to the diastolic number, on the bottom. Healthy blood pressure is 120/80 or slightly below.

The higher the numbers, the greater the risk for stroke, vision loss, heart attack, or heart failure.

High blood pressure is caused by a family history of hypertension, low or no exercise, and an unhealthy diet. Conditions like diabetes or life stages like pregnancy can also affect blood pressure levels.

The best way to know if you have high blood pressure is to check it regularly.

Obesity

Unlike the conditions listed above, obesity is different for every person. Body Mass Index (BMI) determines if a person is overweight.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies adults with a BMI of 25 or greater to be overweight and adults with a BMI of 30 or greater to be obese.

Those with excess weight around the midsection are at a higher risk for heart disease and diabetes. This is because most of the organs are in the middle section of the body. The fat in that area releases fatty acids, which are well absorbed by the organs.

Daily exercise and a healthy diet of whole foods can reduce weight and create a healthier lifestyle.

Lab Tests for Metabolic Syndrome

Because several factors that determine a metabolic syndrome diagnosis cannot be physically seen, lab tests can be very helpful in providing insight.

Tests will review several factors, including blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and cholesterol levels.

Benefits of Metabolic Syndrome Test

Metabolic Syndrome can be tracked and even prevented with regular blood work. Ulta Lab Tests provides these important lab tests to screen for, monitor, and manage the metabolic syndrome.

1. In-Depth and Convenient Testing to Help You Learn More About Your Health

Ulta Lab Tests provides several in-depth options for Metabolic Syndrome blood tests. These include glucose control testing, lipoprotein screening, and an advanced Metabolic Syndrome test.

There are 2,100 approved patient service centers across the United States to conduct screenings. A prescription is not needed, and you can arrange your test at any time.

2. Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome

The earlier you learn about your health, the sooner you can take steps to improve it. If test results show you are on the fast path to metabolic syndrome, there are steps to remedy this.

3. Early Metabolic Syndrome Treatment

Early detection of a medical illness can help heal the body. When diseases are not caught soon enough, it can be impossible to reverse the harmful damages.

4. Help Your Family Members

Many diseases are genetic, so it is important to inform any family members that may be susceptible to it. Early diagnosis can help others make lifestyle changes to help them end up in the same situation.

5. Change Your Life For the Better

Once you receive your lab results, you can make the necessary changes to improve your health and your life. Don't delay in taking the next step to bettering yourself.

How to Arrange Lab Testing

Ulta Labs Tests makes it easy to track your health. Visit Ulta Lab Tests and search our database for your desired test. Buy your test online, and after checkout, you will receive a lab requisition.

Take your lab requisition to the nearest Patient Service Center, and they will collect your specimen. Some tests may require that you fast, temporarily stop supplements, or skip brushing your teeth. This information is all clearly stated to make the process very clear and easy to understand.

Results will be ready within a few days and posted to your online patient dashboard.

Taking Control of Your Health

Metabolic Syndrome is on the rise in the United States. Being proactive with your health can not only prevent you from a diagnosis, but it can also help you learn more about your body along the way.

Ulta Lab Tests Metabolic Syndrome Test is very accurate and reliable and can help you make informed decisions about your health. Confidential results will equip you with the knowledge to take the next step in improving your health.

Order your metabolic syndrome lab test today. Take charge of your health and track your progress with Ulta Lab Tests.

Order your metabolic syndrome lab test today, and your results will be provided to you securely and confidentially online in 24 to 48 hours for most tests. Take charge of your health and track your progress with Ulta Lab Tests.