Cholesterol

Does this take a look at produce other names?

Complete blood ldl cholesterol, serum ldl cholesterol; lipid panel; lipid profile

What is that this take a look at?

This take a look at measures the quantity of ldl cholesterol in your blood. This helps your healthcare supplier determine your danger for coronary heart illness.

Ldl cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance present in your whole physique’s cells. It performs an essential function in numerous physique processes. However your physique can have an excessive amount of ldl cholesterol in case you eat the improper kinds of meals. These embrace fried meals and meals with saturated or trans fat. Some well being circumstances can even make your ldl cholesterol degree too excessive.

When you have an excessive amount of ldl cholesterol in your blood, it could actually keep on with the partitions of the arteries in your coronary heart (coronary arteries). The additional ldl cholesterol could make your blood vessels narrower (atherosclerosis). This narrowing makes it more durable to get sufficient blood by your blood vessels. In case your coronary heart muscle groups do not get sufficient blood, this may trigger chest ache and coronary heart assault. Ldl cholesterol can even keep on with the partitions of arteries elsewhere in your physique (such because the mind, and legs). This could trigger different kinds of artery ailments.

The American Coronary heart Affiliation advises all adults ages 20 and older have their ldl cholesterol and different conventional danger components checked each 4 to six years. You might must have your blood examined extra typically if you’re in danger for coronary heart illness or stroke. Work together with your healthcare supplier to seek out out your danger for heart problems and stroke.

Why do I want this take a look at?

You will have this take a look at as a part of your common well being checkup. You will have this take a look at carried out extra typically if you’re in danger for coronary heart illness or produce other well being issues brought on by excessive ldl cholesterol.

Listed below are some frequent causes for the take a look at:

You have got danger components for coronary heart illness. These embrace older age, weight problems, household historical past of coronary heart illness, hypertension, smoking, and diabetes.

You have got a situation which may be intently linked to excessive ldl cholesterol. This consists of diabetes, alcoholism, and thyroid, liver, or kidney illness.

You eat a weight-reduction plan excessive in ldl cholesterol and fat.

You may additionally have this take a look at in case you had excessive or borderline ldl cholesterol on an earlier blood take a look at. Your healthcare supplier could wish to verify to see whether or not drugs, weight-reduction plan, train, and different way of life modifications are serving to decrease your ldl cholesterol.

What different exams may I’ve together with this take a look at?

You might want different blood exams to seek out out your HDL (good) ldl cholesterol, LDL (unhealthy) ldl cholesterol, and triglyceride ranges. This mix of blood exams known as a lipoprotein profile or a lipid profile.

What do my take a look at outcomes imply?

Check outcomes could fluctuate relying in your age, gender, well being historical past, and different issues. Your take a look at outcomes could also be completely different relying on the lab used. They could not imply you may have an issue. Ask your healthcare supplier what your take a look at outcomes imply for you.

Complete ldl cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). That is what your quantity could imply:

Lower than 200 mg/dL is fascinating.

200 mg/dL to 239 mg/dL is borderline excessive.

240 mg/dL or increased means your ldl cholesterol is excessive.

Excessive ldl cholesterol is simply one of many large danger components for coronary heart illness and stroke. Different issues that may enhance your danger, embrace smoking, diabetes, lack of train, hypertension, unhealthy weight-reduction plan, and age.

To assist discover your total danger, your healthcare supplier could use a danger calculator. It takes into consideration your ldl cholesterol degree and different danger components. Ask your healthcare supplier about your 10-year danger if you’re older than 40 or your lifetime danger if you’re age 20 to 39. Relying on your whole danger components, your healthcare supplier will discuss with you about your ldl cholesterol outcomes and what’s essential for total well being.

Excessive ldl cholesterol could also be linked to those circumstances:

Levels of cholesterol beneath 140 mg/dL could occur with:

How is that this take a look at carried out?

The take a look at is finished with a blood pattern. A needle is used to attract blood from a vein in your arm or hand.

Does this take a look at pose any dangers?

Having a blood take a look at with a needle carries some dangers. These embrace bleeding, an infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, you could really feel a slight sting or ache. Afterward, the location could also be sore.

What may have an effect on my take a look at outcomes?

Your weight-reduction plan, age, alcohol use, and different way of life selections could have an effect on your outcomes. Many medicines may have an effect on your outcomes. Being pregnant may have an effect on your outcomes. Having a coronary heart assault within the final 3 months will even have an effect on your outcomes.

How do I prepare for this take a look at?

You might be requested to eat your common weight-reduction plan and never drink alcohol for at the very least 2 days earlier than this take a look at. You might be requested to not eat or drink something however water for a sure period of time earlier than the take a look at (quick or fasting).

Inform your healthcare supplier about all medicines, herbs, nutritional vitamins, and dietary supplements you’re taking. This consists of medicines that do not want a prescription and any unlawful medication you could use.