Lipid Profile With Doctor Consultation

LIPID PROFILE TEST

The lipid profile test is a blood test that measures different types of lipids in the blood. The lipid profile test is also known by the names of a lipid panel, lipid test, cholesterol test, etc. It measures the levels of four different types of cholesterol and triglycerides.

• LDL (low-density lipoproteins): LDL is the cholesterol that is considered “bad cholesterol” because it forms plaques in the arteries and adversely affects heart health. Thus, LDL cholesterol should be maintained in the lower range.
• VLDL (very low-density lipoproteins): VLDL appears in the blood soon after we have consumed food. A lipid profile is done as a fasting test, and thus, if there is an increased level of VLDL in the blood sample, it can be suggestive of some metabolic disease.
• HDL (high-density lipoproteins): HDL cholesterol is also known as “good cholesterol” because it helps clear away the bad LDL cholesterol and prevents its build-up.
• Total cholesterol: It is the sum of all the different types of cholesterol in your body, i.e., LDL + VLDL + HDL.
• Triglycerides: Our body converts the excess calories into triglycerides and stores it as body fat. High levels of triglycerides are harmful to the heart, liver, and pancreas

You should have a lipid profile test if:

• You are a male over the age of 45 or a female over the age of 50.
• You are a smoker.
• You are obese.
• You have hypertension or diabetes.
• You have an immediate family member with a history of heart disease at a young age (below 55 years for males and below 65 years for females).

Why is the Lipid Profile Test Performed?  

A lipid profile test is performed to find out about your cardiovascular risk factors. Elevated cholesterol levels can indicate that you might be at a higher risk of suffering from heart issues such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart attack (myocardial infarction), or stroke.

High cholesterol levels do not cause any visible symptoms. Thus, physicians use the lipid profile test to screen and monitor the lipid levels in the blood and detect elevated levels early on before they adversely affect cardiovascular health. The lipid panel is also used as a tool to:

• Diagnose other conditions such as fatty liver or pancreatitis.
• Monitor the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering medications if you are already on treatment for high cholesterol.
• Monitor the progression of hyperlipidemia if you had abnormal lipid profile tests previously.

How is a Lipid Profile Test Performed?

A lipid profile test is a blood test. To perform this test, a lab technician ties an elastic band on the upper arm and you are asked to make a fist. This ensures greater blood flow into the veins. The skin around the vein on the arm is cleaned to prevent any infection, and the needle is inserted into the vein. Blood is then drawn using a syringe, and the sample collected is sent to the laboratory for analysis. It usually takes 1-2 days for the test results to come.

The lipid levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood. The normal values for different types of lipids are as follows:

• Total Cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL.
• HDL (high-density lipoproteins) cholesterol: More than 60 mg/dL.
• LDL (low-density lipoproteins) cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL; less than 70 mg/dL for people with diabetes.
• Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL.

You can book an online appointment for a lipid profile test and choose the home sample collection option. Our phlebotomist crew is fully licensed, trained, and certified to collect blood samples from home. The lipid profile test price may differ from city to city. The cost of a lipid profile test in Delhi @CNCPathlab is very affordable. When making an online appointment for a lipid profile test with CNC Pathlab, one has the option of selecting home sample collection. The lipid profile test results will be made available online within 24 hours of sample collection, at which point anyone can consult their doctor and decide on the best course of treatment depending on their results.