LIPID PROFILE

Means a group of blood tests that serves as an initial broad medical

screening tool for abnormalities in lipids, such as cholesterol and
triglycerides
Sample Required?

A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm

or from a fingerstick
Test Preparation Needed?

Typically, fasting for 9-12 hours before having your blood drawn is
required; only water is permitted
In this tests we screen for :

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) calculates the cholesterol in LDL particles;

often called "bad cholesterol" because it deposits excess cholesterol in walls
of blood vessels, which can contribute to atherosclerosis
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) measures the cholesterol in HDL particles;
often called "good cholesterol" because it removes excess cholesterol and
carries it to the liver for removal.
Triglycerides
Total cholesterol this test measures all of the cholesterol in all the
lipoprotein particles.
But before we do the test we should know the normal values

Cholesterol : cholesterol level should be lower than 200 mg/dL

HDL : IN MEN between 40 &49 mg/dL.. IN WOMEN between 50 &59 mg/dL
LDL: between 100 & 129 mg/dL is normal AND lower than 100 mg/dL is ideal
Triglyceride : lower than 150 mg/dL

Why Get Tested?

To assess your risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) or

certain forms of pancreatitis, and other diseases; to monitor
treatment

Importance of this test ..

-This test is used to identify hyperlipidemia (various disturbances of

cholesterol and triglyceride levels), many forms of which are recognized
risk factors for cardiovascular disease
- This test is used to know the total cholesterol reading to assess an
individual's risk for heart disease
((( The individual components that make up total cholesterol reading
LDL, HDL, and VLDLare also important in measuring risk)))
For instance, someone's total cholesterol may be high, but this may be
due to very high HDL ("good cholesterol") cholesterol levels,which can
actually help prevent heart disease (the test is mainly concerned with
high LDL, or "bad cholesterol" levels). So, while a high total cholesterol
level may help give an indication that there is a problem with cholesterol
levels, the components that make up total cholesterol should also be
measured
When is it ordered?
Adults

-It is recommended that healthy adults with no other risk factors

for heart disease be tested with a fasting lipid profile once every
five years
-If other risk factors are present or if previous testing revealed a
high cholesterol level in the past, more frequent testing with a
full lipid profile is recommended
Youths

For children and adolescents, routine lipid testing is once

between the ages of 9 and 11 and again between 17 and 21