A lipid profile test is a blood test that measures the amount of cholesterol and fats in the blood. These measurements give the doctor a quick snapshot of what’s going on in your blood. The results of this test can identify certain genetic disorders, determine approximate risks for cardiovascular disease and certain forms of pancreatitis. Cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood can clog arteries, making you more vulnerable to develop heart attacks .
Lipids are the fats and fatty substances that circulate in the blood and are stored in tissues. They are produced by your body and also come from the foods you eat.
They are used by the body as a source of energy. While lipids are essential to keep the body functioning normally, lipid disorders like high cholesterol, high LDL and low HDL might lead to life-threatening conditions like heart attacks, strokes, or coronary artery disease etc. All these abnormalities do not produce any symptoms or warning signs .Hence, the need for routine lipid profile tests is stressed for every one and especially for a high risk population.
A lipid profile test is often part of a routine general examination. This is because knowledge on this is useful to prevent many other health conditions. Hence regular monitoring is advised. It is also an important parameter in diagnosing other diseases. The results of changes in lifestyle and other modifications are also measured by this lipid profile value; for example, the success of a diet plan or the effectiveness of a drug is indicated by a change in the lipid profile.
Irrespective of whether a person has an underlying heart condition or not, regular monitoring of the lipid profile level is advised for adults – a fasting lipid profile test should be done at least once a year. Children between 9-11 years should also get tested once. The test can then be repeated again when they are around 17-21 years. Of course, if the test results are not normal or if other health conditions are present then more frequent monitoring will be recommended.
LDL or bad cholesterol should be low, while HDL or good cholesterol should be high. A non-conformity to this is often a precursor to many other health conditions. Other risk factors which require careful monitoring of lipid profile levels include:
Men aged 45 years or more and women between 50-55 years of age and more are also advised strict monitoring of lipid levels.
The lipid profile typically includes:
VLDL
In special situations:
Ideally, the test is done in a fasting state. (minimum 8 hours of fasting with no food or drinks except water). However, in special situations, as decided by your doctor, the test can be done anytime of the day without fasting.
Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dL) of blood. The normal values are as follows:
If your results are outside the normal range, you might be at a higher risk of strokes, heart diseases, etc. On receiving abnormal results, our doctor may order some additional tests like blood glucose or thyroid function test to assess the risk score.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
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