What is Lipid Profile

Lipids are a group of fats and fat-like substances that are important constituents of cells and sources of energy. The lipid profile is a group of tests that are often ordered together to determine risk of coronary heart disease. The tests that make up a lipid profile are tests that have been shown to be good indicators of whether someone is likely to have a heart attack or stroke caused by blockage of blood vessels.

Components of Lipid Profile Test

The lipid profile includes

1. Total Cholesterol
2. HDL-Cholesterol (Often Called Good Cholesterol)
3. LDL-Cholesterol (Often Called Bad Cholesterol)
4. Triglycerides
5. Cholesterol/HDL Ratio

Sometimes the report will include additional calculated values such as the Cholesterol/HDL ratio or a risk score based on lipid profile results, age, sex, and other risk factors.

When to Get Lipid Profile Tested

• Screening: Adults, every five years; Youths, once between the ages of 9 and 11 and again between ages 17 and 21
• Monitoring: at regular intervals when risk factors are present, when prior results showed high risk levels, and/or to monitor effectiveness of treatment

Lipid Profile Test Results

Lipid Profile done by drawing your blood is the answer (after an overnight fasting on consuming a diet low in fat for three days) is recommended.

	Desirable	Borderline	High risk
Cholesterol	Below 70 mg/dL	200-239 mg/dl	240 mg/dl
Triglycerides	Below 150 mg/dL	150-199 mg/dl	200-499 mg/dl
HDL Cholesterol	60 mg/dl	35-45 mg/dl
LDL Cholesterol	60-130 mg/dl	130-159 mg/dl	160-189 mg/dl
Cholesterol/HDL ratio	4.0	5.0	6.0

 

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