Lipid Profile Test

A lipid profile, also known as a cholesterol panel, is a group of blood tests that measure the levels of different types of fats and cholesterol in the blood. These tests can help to assess a person’s risk for heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.

Pre-test preparation:
Before a lipid profile, you will be asked to fast for 9-12 hours. This means you should not eat or drink anything other than water during this time.

Testing method:
A sample of blood is taken from a vein in the arm and sent to a lab for analysis.

Common symptoms for prescribing this test:
There are usually no symptoms of high cholesterol, so a lipid profile is often ordered as part of a routine health screening or in cases where a person has risk factors for heart disease such as obesity, family history, smoking or diabetes.

Diagnosis:
The results of a lipid profile can provide information about a person’s risk for heart disease. High levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, can increase the risk of heart disease, while high levels of HDL cholesterol, also known as “good” cholesterol, can help to protect against heart disease.

Reference range:
The reference ranges for a lipid profile will vary depending on the lab and the method used to measure them. Typically, normal values for total cholesterol are considered to be less than 200 mg/dL, for LDL cholesterol less than 100 mg/dL, for HDL cholesterol more than 40 mg/dL for men and more than 50 mg/dL for women, and for triglycerides less than 150 mg/dL.

Normal values:
The normal values for lipid profile can vary slightly depending on the lab. Typically, normal values for total cholesterol are considered to be less than 200 mg/dL, for LDL cholesterol less than 100 mg/dL, for HDL cholesterol more than 40 mg/dL for men and more than 50 mg/dL for women, and for triglycerides less than 150 mg/dL.

Medical disclaimer: It’s important to note that this is general information, and it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional to understand the specifics of your individual case and to interpret your test results.