A particular kind of fat called cholesterol is necessary for normal cell development and function. It is essential for the creation of hormones, vitamin D, and other compounds that support a healthy body working and is present in all body cells.
On the other hand, if your blood cholesterol level is too high, plaque might begin to form on the artery walls. As a result, the arteries may harden and narrow, a condition known as atherosclerosis. The risk of heart attack, stroke, and other significant health issues might rise as a result of atherosclerosis, which can eventually limit blood flow to the heart and other essential organs.
Cholesterol testing is a way for your doctor to evaluate your cholesterol levels, which are a type of fat found in all cells of the body. Cholesterol is important for healthy cell function and growth, but too much can build up in your arteries and cause serious health problems.
Why do Doctors Suggest Cholesterol Testing?
Your doctor will recommend you get tested if you have one or more risk factors, including:
- Age: If you’re over age 45, you should start having your cholesterol checked.
- Gender: Men tend to have higher levels of cholesterol than women do.
- Family history: Your risk for high cholesterol increases if a parent or sibling has it.
What is a Lipid Profile Test? What is Lipid Profile Test used for?
The lipid profile test is a blood test that can help your doctor understand your risk for heart disease. It measures the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides in your blood.
This test can give your doctor important information about how well your body is able to remove excess cholesterol from the blood and how much cholesterol you have in your bloodstream. This will help them determine whether or not you should take medication to lower your cholesterol.
Why is Fasting Required for a Lipid Profile Test?
Prior to a lipid profile test, it is a common but highly important practice to fast overnight because a person’s diet can impact the amount of cholesterol molecules in their blood. So, one very typical precaution people are instructed to take prior to sample collection is to fast before the lipid profile test.
However, a person won’t need to fast before the test if the doctor wants to particularly assess how different foods affect cholesterol levels in many circumstances. If you have any concerns about fasting before the lipid profile test, it is recommended to speak with a doctor.
What Causes High Serum Lipids?
The most common causes are poor diet and lifestyle choices, such as eating too much saturated fat and not enough fibre. Other causes include:
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- High stress levels
- Smoking and alcohol consumption
- Genetic disorders such as familial hypercholesterolemia, which is a condition that causes high cholesterol levels in the blood
Lipid Profile Test Includes
An average lipid profile test includes following tests, depending on the laboratory or healthcare provider:
- Total cholesterol: This is the total amount of cholesterol in your blood, including both “good” and “bad” cholesterol.
- HDL cholesterol is the “good” cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream.
- LDL cholesterol: This is the “bad” cholesterol that can build up on the walls of your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease.
- Non-HDL cholesterol includes all the “bad” cholesterol, including LDL and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol.
- Triglycerides: High triglycerides, fat in your bloodstream, can increase your chances of developing heart disease.Total cholesterol/HDL ratio: This is a ratio of the total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol and can be used to evaluate your risk of heart disease.
- VLDL cholesterol is another type of “bad” cholesterol that can contribute to plaque buildup in your arteries.
- The HDL/LDL ratio is a way to measure your risk of heart disease by comparing your levels of HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol.
After conducting these tests, your doctor will consider your age, gender, family history, and lifestyle to create a personalised treatment plan that meets your needs.
In the end..
Knowing the LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels in your blood can help to improve your understanding of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and prevention. You should have your cholesterol checked on a regular basis, or at least every time you see your physician, by way of a lipid profile test.
