Key Tests to Detect Obesity-Related Comorbidities

Test

Clinical Purpose

Key Interpretation

Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

Screen for diabetes

Prediabetes: FPG 100–125 mg/dL or HbA1c 5.7–6.4%

Lipid panel

Assess cardiovascular risk

Obesity-related dyslipidemia: high triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

Screen for metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

ALT above the upper limit of normal suggests liver inflammation

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Evaluate thyroid function

TSH >10 mIU/L suggests overt hypothyroidism

Creatinine / Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)

Assess kidney function

Chronic kidney disease (CKD): eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m²

Urinalysis

Detect kidney disease

Persistent albumin in urine may indicate diabetic nephropathy

Complete blood count (CBC)

Detect anemia or inflammation

May suggest nutritional deficiencies if anemia is present