Lipid Panel

$53.10

This profile includes tests that help evaluate heart health and assess the risk for developing heart problems in the future.

Preparation:

You should not eat or drink anything except water for 12-14 hours before this test.

Collection Method:

Blood Draw

Sample Type:

Blood

Processing Time:

1 Day

$53.10

Lipid Panel

$53.10

This profile includes tests that help evaluate heart health and assess the risk for developing heart problems in the future.

About The Test

Test Overview

A lipid panel, also known as a lipid profile or cholesterol panel, is a comprehensive blood test designed to measure various types of lipids (fats) and lipoproteins in the bloodstream. This test offers valuable insights into an individual’s cardiovascular health and helps assess their risk of heart disease. A lipid panel includes four key measurements: total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (often referred to as “bad” cholesterol), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (considered “good” cholesterol), and triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood). Conducted after a period of fasting, usually for 9-12 hours, the lipid panel provides a foundation for healthcare providers to offer guidance on lifestyle changes, medication, or other interventions to reduce the risk of heart disease and promote overall heart health. It is an essential tool in cardiovascular risk assessment.

Symptoms

Symptoms of high cholesterol might include:

left-sided chest pain, pressure, or fullness
dizziness
unsteady gait
slurred speech
pain in the lower legs

Test Includes

Triglycerides

Measure triglyceride levels, an essential component of your lipid profile.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells of the body. It's essential for making hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help digest foods. However, high levels of cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease.

Direct high-density lipoprotein

Direct High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) measurement refers to the assessment of HDL cholesterol levels in the blood. HDL cholesterol is often called "good" cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream, reducing the risk of heart disease.

Calculated low-density lipoprotein

Calculated Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) refers to an estimation of LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, typically derived from a formula using total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides levels. LDL is often labeled as "bad" cholesterol because high levels can lead to plaque buildup in arteries and increase the risk of heart disease.

Non-HDL cholesterol

Non-HDL cholesterol is a measure of all the cholesterol in your blood that is not part of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. It includes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and other lipid particles and is considered a useful marker for cardiovascular risk, as it encompasses all potentially harmful cholesterol types.

Cholesterol HDL ratio

The Cholesterol HDL ratio is calculated by dividing the total cholesterol level by the HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol level.

Recommended For

Adults aged 20 and older are advised to have a baseline lipid panel every four to six years as a general health assessment. The frequency of testing may vary based on individual risk factors and underlying health conditions. Individuals with cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, or a family history of heart disease, should consider more frequent lipid panels to monitor their heart health. Those who have already been diagnosed with heart disease or are on cholesterol-lowering medications may require regular lipid panel tests to assess treatment effectiveness. People with medical conditions affecting cholesterol levels, such as thyroid, liver, or kidney disorders, may also need routine testing. All individuals with a family history of early heart disease or high cholesterol should discuss their lipid panel schedule with their healthcare provider. Pregnant women may have lipid panels during pregnancy as cholesterol levels can fluctuate during this period.

Associated Conditions

Abnormal levels of blood lipids cause fat deposits in artery walls, which initiates complications inside the blood vessels. Causes for high lipid levels include diabetes, alcoholism, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, liver disease, and stress.