What is an Lipid Profile Test?

Lipid profile is a group of blood evaluation techniques that measure the cholesterol levels and few types of fat content in your body. Lipids include cholesterol (both good and bad) and triglycerides.

They are also known as fats in general terms. Lipids play a vital role in keeping cellular bodies healthy. However, if they begin to build up in your blood, they can be a health threat.

Excess quantity of lipids in your blood may result in inflamed arteries, clogged/narrowed arterial passageways and even atherosclerosis. Arterial damage disturbs your cardiac functions,

leading to increased chances of heart attack, stroke, etc.

Lipid Profile Test Purpose

It is not necessary, that one has to wait for any symptoms or any doctor recommendation. Lipid Profile test may be a part of Routine Health check-ups to find an early sign of disease. As per the test interpretation,

you can take prophylactic measures or physician advice to control the level of cholesterol,  But if, you have any of the following you must go for a lipid profile test:

1. Any family history of hypertension ( blood pressure of 140/90 or higher ) or any heart-related disease like atherosclerosis, blockage or hardening of your arteries
2. Obese people
3. Sedentary lifestyle
4. Chronic smoker
5. Chronic alcoholic
6. During Pregnancy
7. Have any kidney disease, PCOD, Hypothyroidism

Lipid Profile Test Recommendation: Age Group Wise

Heart diseases are easier to prevent than cure. As our lifestyle influence along with other risk factors determines heart disease chances, there is a recommended schedule for routine lipid profile test.

Cardiac Risk Factors And Categorization

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the leading cause of mortality in India. Some estimates put it at about 25% of all mortality. Moreover, CVD burden in India is more than the global averages.

The following risk factors influence the chances of cardiac risk:

• Modifiable Risk Factors
  • Physical fitness and lifestyle
  • Smoking
  • Eating habits and diet
  • Hypertension
  • Obesity
• Non Modifiable risk factors
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Ethnicity
  • Family History
  • Diabetes

Though lipid profile test is important for knowing the heart health, cardiac risk markers are more appropriate to evaluate the risk.

Lipid Profile Test Components

Lipids are a group of fats or fat-like substance that constitute a part of the cell. It serves as an important source of energy. A Lipid profile test typically includes the following component:

Lipid Profile Test Components

Total Cholesterol

This test measure overall amount of cholesterol found in the blood. Cholesterol is not something like fat that sits around your waist or thighs. It travels through your bloodstream by carriers lipids and Proteins known as lipoproteins.

Two types of lipoproteins carry cholesterol to and from the cell. These Lipoproteins are HDL & LDL.

HDL- C (High-Density Lipoproteins Cholesterol)

It measures the HDL level in blood. HDL is also known as “Good Cholesterol” as it removes excess cholesterol and carries it to the liver for removal.

LDL-C (Low-Density Lipoproteins Cholesterol)

It measures the LDL level in blood. LDL is also known as “Bad Cholesterol” as it deposits at the walls of arteries and may lead to artery diseases or any heart-related disease.

Triglycerides

These are most common fat found in the blood. When you eat, your body converts any calories it doesn’t need to use right away into triglycerides. The triglycerides are stored in your fat cells. Later,

hormones release triglycerides for energy between meals. High level of triglycerides may lead to obesity or any heart-related disease.

VLDL-C ( Very Low-Density Cholesterol)

This is a bad form of cholesterol and it contributes to the clogging of arteries which may lead to heart attack.

HDL TO LDL Ratio

In simple words, you may understand this ratio as Good cholesterol vs Bad cholesterol. A higher ratio indicates a good condition of the heart and lower ratio indicates a poor condition of the heart.

Total Cholesterol: HDL Ratio

A higher number of this ratio indicates that your heart is at risk. To calculate your cholesterol, divide your T.cholesterol number to HDL Number.

If your Total Cholesterol is 300 mg/L and your HDL Level is 50 mg/L then your ratio comes 6:1

Non- HDL Cholesterol

As total cholesterol includes both good and bad cholesterol level, it does not present a clear picture. Thus, Non-HDL cholesterol gives us a parameter inclusive of all the bad cholesterol.

Lipid Profile Test Procedure

Profile of lipids in our blood is evaluated from a blood sample of the person. Thus it is a simple blood test which does not need any special preparation. 

A phlebotomist or blood collection technician first clean the spot using some disinfectant. It does not allow passing of the bacteria in the blood sample.

Then, a cuff may be wrapped around your forearm to make veins more prominently visible. A blood sample will be taken and a bandage may be applied to avoid any infection.

Preparation

A lipid profile test requires 10-12 hours of fasting. However, a patient can take regular medication and water. It is usually done after overnight fasting, thus sample is commonly taken in the morning before breakfast.

There are primarily three reasons for fasting requirement during lipid profile test:

• Level of triglycerides remains elevated after a meal.
• Reference or normal range are benchmarked for a fasting specimen.
• Triglyceride’s level is also used in calculating other parameters.

Lipid Profile Test Normal Range & Values

As lipids are essential fats inside our body, we actually need them for our well being. However, there is a specific range which is beneficial. Moreover, there are good and bad types of cholesterol thus their normal range also varies.

Lipid profile test consists of a number of parameters. The following table provides a normal range chart. Though it is important to consult a doctor for any kind of health advice.

Normal Range Chart