Lipid Profile

What is a lipid profile blood test? A general physician in city_name_label may recommend a lipid profile blood test to measure the amount of cholester...

What is a lipid profile blood test?

A general physician in city_name_label may recommend a lipid profile blood test to measure the amount of cholesterol and fats in your blood. A lipid test measures the amount of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol and triglycerides. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the cells of your body. It helps in regulating vitamins , hormones, and other substances to digest foods. High cholesterol levels can lead to clogging your blood vessels, therefore leading to cardiovascular diseases. A lipid profile blood test is also commonly referred to as a lipid test or cholesterol level test.

Why do I need a lipid test?

While people with high cholesterol levels do not show any symptoms, it can cause sudden complications like heart diseases and stroke. The only way to keep your cholesterol in check is through a lipid test. It is advisable to get your first cholesterol level test by age 35 for men, and by age 45 for women. Some guidelines may expect you to get your first cholesterol level test starting at 20 years old.

A general physician in city_name_label may recommend a lipid test if you are diagnosed with underlying medical conditions. The risk factors include:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Stroke
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Hypertension
• Family history of high cholesterol

Follow-up testing should be done to maintain a normal lipid profile. The following are the recommended testing frequencies:

• Every 4 to 6 years if your results show lipid profile normal range.
• Every year or so if you are prescribed with medications to control high cholesterol.

If you are diagnosed with conditions that increase your risk of developing high lipid levels, consult a general physician in city_name_label to understand how often you need to get a cholesterol check-up.

What does the lipid test package include?

The lipid test package provided by MFine includes 8 cholesterol level tests:

• Cholesterol total test: This test determines the amount of overall cholesterol in your blood.
• Cholesterol HDL test: This test measures the amount of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or ‘good’ cholesterol in your blood.
• Cholesterol LDL test: This test measures the amount of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or ‘bad’ cholesterol in your blood.
• Triglycerides test: Extra calories in your body are converted to triglycerides, which are stored in fat cells. This test is used to measure the triglycerides levels in your blood.
• VLDL Cholesterol test: This cholesterol level test measures the amount of VLDL (very-low-density lipoprotein) or a type of ‘bad’ cholesterol in your blood. High levels of LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides are associated with an accumulated plaque in your blood vessel walls. This can lead to a condition called atherosclerosis- increased fatty plaque build-up in your artery walls.
• LDL/ HDL ratio test: A HDL test and LDL test is effective in assessing your body’s cholesterol on their own. However, general physicians in city_name_label combine the results of both cholesterol level tests to understand your body’s lipid profile much better.
• Non-HDL cholesterol test: As the name suggests, this test measures the total amount of cholesterol except your HDL levels (good cholesterol). In other words, this test determines the overall bad cholesterol levels in your body.

TC/ HDL cholesterol ratio test: This test measures the total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol levels in your body.

As previously mentioned, follow-up examinations for all types of cholesterol level tests are vital in maintaining a normal lipid profile. Consult a general doctor in city_name_label regularly for a cholesterol check-up.

What happens during a complete lipid test?

As previously mentioned, a general physician in city_name_label may recommend a lipid profile blood test to measure the amount of cholesterol and fats in your blood. A lipid test is just like any other blood test, where a sample of your blood is collected through a needle injected into your arm. You could either perform a lipid test at the clinic when you visit a general doctor in city_name_label, or you could book a home appointment on the MFine app. Our phlebotomist will arrive at your doorstep promptly during the scheduled time slot. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we take extra precautionary measures to safely perform the cholesterol level test at your home.

What do the cholesterol test results mean?

Understanding blood test results for cholesterol is essential in maintaining a normal lipid profile. Lipid tests are measured in milligrams of cholesterol (mg) per decilitre of blood (dL). The following are the lipid profile test normal values:

• TC (total cholesterol): under 200 mg/ dL
• HDL (good cholesterol): over 40 to 60 mg/ dL
• LDL (bad cholesterol): under 70 to 130 mg/ dL
• VLDL (bad cholesterol): under 2 to 30 mg/ dL
• Triglycerides (type of fat): under 10 to 150 mg/ dL

If your cholesterol test results do not align with the lipid profile normal range, you may be at a higher risk of developing heart diseases, diabetes, and hypertension. Once your results are in, your general doctor in city_name_label may recommend other lab tests, such as a diabetes screening test, thyroid function test, or a cardiac risk assessment. The doctor may also direct you to other specialized medical experts who can also work with you to control underlying medical conditions.

Where can I get a cholesterol test?

You could either perform a lipid test at the clinic when you visit a general doctor in city_name_label, or you could book a home appointment on the MFine app. The need for safe at-home healthcare services is higher than ever before due to the coronavirus pandemic. We, at MFine, prioritize your safety by taking extra precautionary measures to safely perform lab tests at home. A phlebotomist will collect your blood sample and send it for analysis by top laboratory professionals. After a thorough analysis, your lipid profile blood test results will be uploaded to your MFine profile within 24-72 hours. You can avail of your free consultation with a general doctor in city_name_label who can recommend the way forward based on your lipid test results.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What are the symptoms of high lipids?

While people with high cholesterol levels do not show any symptoms, it can cause sudden complications like heart diseases and stroke. The only way to keep your cholesterol in check is through a lipid test. It is advisable to get your first cholesterol level test by age 35 for men, and by age 45 for women.
You may need a lipid test if you are diagnosed with underlying medical conditions. The risk factors include:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Stroke
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Hypertension
• Family history of high cholesterol

2. Is it necessary to fast before a lipid test?

General doctors in city_name_label recommend that you fast for 9-12 hours before taking the cholesterol level test. Your analysis may be affected by the food and drinks you have consumed. For an accurate analysis, only drink water through the fasting period. It is ideal to fast through the night and perform your lipid test the consecutive morning.

3. Do I need a doctor’s prescription for a lipid test?

You do not require a doctor’s prescription for a lipid test. However, if you are concerned about having an abnormal lipid profile range, consult a general physician in city_name_label who can suggest appropriate medicines and cholesterol treatments.

4. When will I get my medical reports for the lipid test?

A phlebotomist will collect your blood sample and send it for analysis by top laboratory professionals. After a thorough analysis, your lipid profile blood test results will be uploaded to your MFine profile within 24-72 hours.

5. What happens once I get my lipid test results?

Once you receive your lipid profile blood test results, you can avail of your free consultation with a general doctor in city_name_label who can recommend the way forward based on your lipid test results. The doctor may recommend other lab tests, such as a diabetes screening test, thyroid function test, or a cardiac risk assessment. They may also direct you to other specialized medical experts who can also work with you to control underlying medical conditions.