Cholesterol Test (Lipid Profile)

A complete cholesterol level screening test (lipid profile or lipoprotein analysis) involves the measurement of the total cholesterol in the blood, High Density Lipoproteins (HDL, the good  cholesterol),  Low -Density Lipoproteins (LDL, the bad cholesterol) and Triglycerides, another type of blood fat. LDL cholesterol is calculated from the total cholesterol, HDL and triglyceride levels.

Cholesterol is a type of fat called a lipid, that the body uses to help build cells and produce certain hormones and bile salts. Cholesterol forms complexes with proteins in the blood to produce lipoproteins. Lipoproteins comes in two forms (1) High Density Lipoprotein (HDL); the good cholesterol with more protein than fat and (2) Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL); the bad cholesterol with more fat than protein. 

Normal range of cholesterol in the blood should be less than 200 milligrams per deciliter or mg/dl. High cholesterol of  240 mg/dl or greater in the blood increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, coronary artery disease etc. Abnormally low levels of cholesterol may indicate hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland, liver disease, inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestines and malnutrition.

Care before the procedure
Avoid solid foods or drinks except water for 9 to 12 hours before taking the blood sample for Lipoprotein analysis (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels). 

How the test is done
Lipoprotein analysis or Lipid profile is normally performed on a blood sample taken from a vein. This procedure takes only a few minutes. The blood sample is collected in a syringe or vial and sent to the lab to be analyzed. Total cholesterol levels may also be measured from a finger-stick blood sample.

Age for Testing 
Adults 20 years or over should be routinely tested every five years for cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. Children of parents with high cholesterol over 240mg/dl should be checked regularly after age 7.