In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleSneaky SignsDiagnosisStrategies
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Sneaky Signs
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Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Some risk factors can be managed through lifestyle changes, as being sedentary, an unhealthy diet, consuming excess calories, inadequate sleep, smoking and alcohol intake all increase the likelihood of developing this group of conditions.
Thing is, unless you’re getting regular blood testing, you may not know if you have a problem with your blood sugar or lipids–and so you may have no clue you have metabolic syndrome at all. While these metrics are used to diagnose metabolic disease, there are sneakier signs that there is a problem. Here’s what to look for—and how to treat it.
6 Sneaky Signs You Have Metabolic Syndrome
1. You’re Always Thirsty
“One criteria of metabolic syndrome is elevated blood sugar at or above 100 mg/dL, which may indicate insulin resistance,” saysKerry Conlon, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in gastrointestinal diseases and disorders. Excessive thirst and an increased need to urinate are early warning signs that your blood sugar may be hanging out above the normal range.If you frequently feel parched and can’t quench your thirst, see your provider to have your blood sugar tested.
8 Sneaky Signs You’re Dehydrated, According to a Dietitian
2. You Always Feel Fatigued
If you’re consistently drained but unsure why, there may be an underlying health issue at play. There are many reasons you might be tired—poor sleep, eating an unbalanced diet, stress—but if you frequently feel fatigued, it could be a symptom of high blood sugar. “High blood sugar levels signal that your body’s energy regulation needs attention,” explainsAndrea Hinojosa, M.S., RDN, founder of Honest Health & Wellness. If you’re tired often—especially if you think you’re getting adequate sleep—it’s worth seeing your doctor.
3. You Notice Changes to Your Skin
If you’ve noticed any major changes to your skin, it could be a sneaky sign you have metabolic syndrome. Skin tags are little harmless growths that are called acrochordons. While skin tags can develop as a result of aging and other unknown causes, they’re also linked to diabetes and insulin resistance.Another sign of metabolic syndrome is dark, velvety patches of skin called acanthosis nigricans. These often develop in the back of the neck, armpits and groin.Connect with a dermatologist about any skin concerns.
What Happens to Your Body When You Have Insulin Resistance
4. You Have Tingling and Numbness in Your Feet
If you’ve been experiencing pain, burning, tingling and numbness of the feet, you could have metabolic syndrome. “Insulin resistance, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and abnormal cholesterol levels can damage the nerves and vessels of the lower extremities, leading to peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease,” says doctor of podiatric medicineAdam Hotchkiss, D.P.M. If you’re experiencing any of these prickling or tingling sensations in your feet, schedule a visit with your health care provider.
5. You Have Frequent Headaches
There are manycauses of headaches: dehydration, stress, screen overuse. But it may be surprising to know that severe headache and migraine are associated with hypertension, according to research.Both conditions may have similar underlying causes, which is why they may occur together. (Typically, though, hypertension does not cause a headache unless blood pressure becomes extremely elevated.)
How Is Metabolic Syndrome Diagnosed?
Your health care provider will order routine blood work, take your blood pressure reading and measure your waist circumference. More specifically, doctors are looking at the following numbers. Having three of the following indicates metabolic syndrome:
The benefit of knowing your numbers—even if they point tometabolic syndrome—is that you can use that info to benefit your health. “Getting regular lab work done allows you to monitor your levels so you can take action before anything gets out of hand,” saysRhyan Geiger, RDN, a Phoenix-based dietitian.
Strategies to Improve Metabolic Syndrome
Changes to nutrition, moving more often and managing stress are effective ways to improve metabolic syndrome:
The Bottom Line
Certain signs, such as skin changes or increased thirst, may indicate that you have metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that increase your risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. One of the best things you can do is to regularly see your health care provider, who can advise you on when to get blood work. Knowing your numbers will help you take action through lifestyle changes, like a healthy diet and regular exercise, that can treat metabolic syndrome and help you feel good in your day-to-day life.
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Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What Is Metabolic Syndrome?
Goyal R, Singhal M, Jialal I.Type 2 Diabetes. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
Adibi N, Robati RM.Skin and metabolic syndrome: A review of the possible associations.J Res Med Sci. 2021;26:16. doi:10.4103/jrms.JRMS_585_20
Brady MF, Rawla P.Acanthosis Nigricans. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
Zhang J, Mao Y, Li Y, et al.Association between migraine or severe headache and hypertension among US adults: A cross-sectional study.Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2023;33(2):350-358. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2022.11.014
Belanger MJ, Rao P, Robbins JM.Exercise, Physical Activity, and Cardiometabolic Health: Pathophysiologic Insights.Cardiol Rev. 2022;30(3):134-144. doi:10.1097/CRD.0000000000000417
