What is a metabolic profile?

A metabolic profile is a comprehensive evaluation of your metabolic status. It includes a range of clinical and laboratory tests that assess various aspects of metabolism, such as glucose, lipid, lactate and amino acid metabolism. Metabolic profiling is an important tool in metabolic medicine because it provides us with a detailed understanding of your metabolic health, allowing for more precise diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.

Early detection

One of the primary benefits of metabolic profiling is its ability to identify metabolic disorders at an early stage, before the onset of clinical symptoms. For example, metabolic profiling can detect abnormalities in glucose metabolism that indicate the development of type 2 diabetes, even in individuals who are otherwise asymptomatic. By detecting these abnormalities early, we can intervene with lifestyle modifications or medication to prevent or delay the progression of the disease.

What does metabolic profiling involve?

Metabolic profiling typically involves a combination of clinical and laboratory tests. Clinical tests may include measurement of blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, as well as a review of medical and family history. Laboratory tests may include measurement of fasting glucose and lipid levels, as well as more specialised tests such as oral glucose tolerance tests, insulin resistance tests and lipid particle analysis.

Advances in technology have led to the development of new tools for metabolic profiling, such as metabolomics and lipidomics. These have the potential to revolutionise metabolic medicine by enabling more precise diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of metabolic disorders.

Metabolic profiling to measure effectiveness of treatments

We also use metabolic profiling to monitor the effectiveness of our treatments. For example, in patients with hyperlipidaemia, metabolic profiling can assess the impact of lipid-lowering medications on cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It may also help monitor for side effects of high statin intake. This information can be used to adjust treatment regimens and optimise outcomes.

In addition, metabolic profiling can be used to identify individuals who are at increased risk for metabolic disorders. For example, individuals with a family history of type 2 diabetes or a personal history of gestational diabetes may undergo metabolic profiling to assess their risk of developing the disease. This information can be used to develop personalised prevention strategies, such as lifestyle modifications or early intervention with medication.

If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, please contact us today.