Specialist care for lipid and metabolic disorders
What is metabolic medicine?
Metabolic medicine is a type of medicine that looks at how your body’s chemical processes control energy, lipids, and how cells work. It combines biology, biochemistry and clinical practice to understand why these processes sometimes break down.
When metabolic pathways are disrupted, this can lead to common conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, as well as rare inherited metabolic disorders. Consultants in this field act as investigators, looking beyond symptoms to identify the underlying imbalances.
These imbalances may be caused by genetics, diet, toxins, or nutrient deficiencies. Metabolic medicine works to spot and manage problems like how your body handles lipids, insulin resistance, and your overall body regulation. The goal is not just to treat illness, but to bring the body back into balance and improve health in the long run.
This holistic approach distinguishes metabolic medicine from traditional models of care, as it seeks to correct root causes and support your body’s natural ability to heal.
What does a metabolic medicine consultant do?
A metabolic medicine consultant (often called a lipidologist) is a medically qualified specialist, typically holding FRCPath certification in Chemical Pathology/Metabolic Medicine. They work closely with other specialties including Genetics, Endocrinology, Diabetes, Neurology, Nephrology (Kidney), Cardiology, Oncology, Dietetics, and Biochemistry to provide comprehensive care.
They diagnose, manage and treat:
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Lipid disorders - primary and secondary dyslipidaemias (e.g., familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), mixed dyslipidaemia, severe hypertriglyceridaemia, and high lipoprotein).
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Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance.
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Cardiovascular risk - assessed through advanced lipid profiling.
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Calcium, phosphate, and bone metabolism disorders.
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Rare metabolic diseases such as chylomicronaemia syndromes, sitosterolaemia, and inborn errors of metabolism
What diseases fall under metabolic medicine?
Metabolic medicine covers a wide range of conditions, including:
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Type 2 diabetes - when your body cannot use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar.
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Metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance syndrome) - a cluster of risks like tummy fat, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, and raised blood sugar can lead to health conditions.
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Familial hypercholesterolaemia and other lipid disorders - inherited or acquired problems causing very high cholesterol or triglycerides.
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Obesity-related metabolic dysfunction - health problems linked to excess weight, including insulin resistance and abnormal cholesterol.
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Rare inherited metabolic diseases such as:
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Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) - where your body cannot break down certain proteins, leading to toxic build up.
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Phenylketonuria (PKU) - where your body cannot break down the amino acid phenylalanine.
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Galactosemia - where your body cannot process the sugar galactose, found in milk.
What are the two most common metabolic diseases?
The most common metabolic diseases are:
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Type 2 diabetes – this happens when your body becomes resistant to insulin, making it harder to control your blood sugar levels.
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Metabolic syndrome – is a group of health risks that often occur together, including carrying extra weight around your tummy, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and raised blood sugar. If some of these happen at the same time, they significantly increase your risk of serious health problems such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.
What are the symptoms of metabolic issues?
Metabolic problems can sometimes be silent, with no obvious symptoms. Many people only discover them through routine blood tests.
When signs do appear, they may include:
How do doctors test for metabolic disorders?
Doctors use a combination of blood tests and clinical assessments to test for metabolic disorders, including:
What is the best medication for metabolic syndrome
There is no single medication for metabolic syndrome. Treatment focuses on managing each risk factor:
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Statins for high cholesterol
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Antihypertensives for blood pressure
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Metformin for insulin resistance or diabetes
Lifestyle changes like eating well, staying active, and keeping a healthy weight are often the main treatment.
What are the costs of metabolic medicine?
The costs of metabolic medicine services vary from patient to patient. They depend on the tests performed, the metabolic disease you are diagnosed with and its recommended treatment, and your chosen Ramsay hospital.
You will receive a formal quotation price after your consultation with one of our metabolic medicine specialists. This formal quote will be valid for 60 days.
Metabolic medicine services may be covered by medical insurance. Most chronic conditions such as diabetes are excluded from cover. But there are various clauses so we advise you to check with your insurance provider for their written confirmation before your initial appointment and subsequently when you have your treatment plan costs.
If you are paying for yourself, we offer a variety of payment options including interest-free finance.
Metabolic medicine at Ramsay Health Care
At Ramsay Health Care, our metabolic medicine service provides specialist diagnosis and management of conditions that affect the body’s chemical processes, energy, and fats.
Our consultants are specialists in this field who work closely with patients to uncover the root causes of metabolic imbalance whether genetic, nutritional, or environmental and to restore health through tailored, evidence‑based care. They are highly trained in lipidology and metabolic medicine, with expertise in both common and rare disorders.
We care for patients with:
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Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
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Familial hypercholesterolaemia and other lipid disorders
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Obesity-related metabolic dysfunction
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Inherited metabolic diseases such as phenylketonuria (PKU), galactosemia, and Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)
Our care includes advanced tests, genetic checks, and personalised treatment plans. This may include lifestyle changes like healthy eating, exercise, and weight management, medicines such as statins or metformin, and regular monitoring to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other complications.
Ramsay’s metabolic medicine consultants also work alongside other specialists. For example, they often team up with cardiologists who have carried out heart procedures and need patients’ cholesterol managed long-term to keep arteries clear. They also collaborate with experts in endocrinology, diabetes, neurology, kidney health, oncology, dietetics, and biochemistry to make sure care is joined-up and comprehensive.
By combining medical expertise with patient-centred support, Ramsay Health Care helps people understand their condition, make practical changes, and improve their health outcomes.
