Which lipid abnormality is not a defining feature of metabolic syndrome as described?

Which lipid abnormality is not a defining feature of metabolic syndrome as described?

• A. High triglycerides
• B. Low HDL
• C. Central obesity
• D. High LDL

Answer: (D)

Metabolic syndrome is defined by a cluster of factors driven by insulin resistance, including abdominal (central) obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose. The lipid abnormalities that define the syndrome are high triglycerides and low HDL; central obesity is the anthropometric criterion, and the others are metabolic measures. High LDL cholesterol is not part of the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome, even though someone with the syndrome can have various LDL levels. The diagnosis rests on triglycerides and HDL (along with waist, blood pressure, and glucose), whereas LDL is not used to make or exclude the syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is defined by a cluster of factors driven by insulin resistance, including abdominal (central) obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose. The lipid abnormalities that define the syndrome are high triglycerides and low HDL; central obesity is the anthropometric criterion, and the others are metabolic measures. High LDL cholesterol is not part of the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome, even though someone with the syndrome can have various LDL levels. The diagnosis rests on triglycerides and HDL (along with waist, blood pressure, and glucose), whereas LDL is not used to make or exclude the syndrome.