Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a silent but serious health concern that affects how your body processes energy. Board-certified family health and functional medicine nurse practitioner Kiera Preston, at WellPathNP in Cumberland Foreside, Maine, understands the condition well. It’s a combination of risk factors like high blood pressure, belly fat, and elevated blood sugar that often go unnoticed until they lead to bigger problems. That’s why it’s important to address early warning signs to help you take control of your health. Book an appointment today by phone or click the contact page to schedule online.

What is metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a group of related health issues that tend to happen at the same time, significantly raising your risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

These conditions include:

• High blood pressure
• Elevated blood sugar
• Excess belly fat
• High triglycerides
• Low HDL (good) cholesterol

If you only have one of these issues, it doesn’t mean you have metabolic syndrome. However, having three or more is cause for concern.

This syndrome is a warning sign that your metabolism is stressed and not functioning efficiently. It reflects underlying imbalances such as insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and poor nutrient metabolism, which can all lead to more serious health problems if left unaddressed.

What are the signs of metabolic syndrome?

Many people with metabolic syndrome don’t experience obvious symptoms. However, common signs can include:

• Increased waist circumference or abdominal fat
• Fatigue or low energy
• Sugar cravings
• Difficulty losing weight
• Elevated blood pressure
• Darkened skin patches (acanthosis nigricans)

Lab work may also show high blood sugar, triglycerides, or low HDL.

How is metabolic syndrome diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves assessing several biomarkers through blood tests and physical measurements. At WellPathNP, Kiera takes a more detailed approach, using advanced lab testing to evaluate insulin resistance, lipid levels, inflammation markers, and other metabolic health indicators.

In addition to lab work, specialized tools like dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans (to assess body fat composition) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) testing help build a clearer picture of the function of your metabolism and learn where you need support.

How is metabolic syndrome treated with functional medicine?

At WellPathNP, Kiera offers a personalized and integrative plan to reverse metabolic syndrome. Treatment focuses on correcting the root causes, such as insulin resistance, chronic stress, poor sleep, and dietary imbalances, rather than just managing symptoms.

Your plan may include targeted nutritional therapy, blood sugar stabilization strategies, weight loss support, and stress reduction techniques. Kiera also emphasizes cardiovascular health, sleep optimization, and sustainable lifestyle changes to restore metabolic balance.

By addressing all aspects of your health, including hormones, gut health, and detox pathways, Kiera helps you break the cycle of metabolic dysfunction and reduce your long-term health risks.

If you think you have metabolic syndrome, book an appointment at WellPathNP for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Call or book your visit now.