Ep. 57 - Cardiometabolic Risk: Why “Normal Labs” Don’t Mean You’re Healthy

Many people are told their labs are “normal”, yet years later they develop heart disease, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome. How does this happen?In this episode of Health Talk: Your Partner in Health, Dr. Caitlin Prickett and Jeffery Runyon explore the concept of cardiometabolic risk and why traditional lab tests often fail to detect early metabolic dysfunction.They discuss why “normal” lab ranges don’t always reflect optimal health, the hidden warning signs of insulin resistance, and the advanced markers that can reveal risk years before disease develops. Dr. Prickett explains important metrics like ApoB, Lipoprotein(a), fasting insulin, and triglyceride-to-HDL ratio, and why body composition and visceral fat play a major role in long-term health.Listeners will learn why cardiometabolic disease is becoming increasingly common, how early detection can change outcomes, and what practical steps can be taken to improve metabolic health before problems develop.If you’ve ever been told your labs look “fine” but still want to understand your true health risk, this episode will help you look beyond the standard blood test and take a proactive approach to your long-term health.