Lipid Panel Test

What is the lipid panel test?

A lipid panel is a blood test that usually measures 3 kinds of fats (lipids) in the blood. The 3 fats are:

• LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein)
• HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein)
• triglycerides

This test also measures total cholesterol.

Another name for this test is lipid profile.

Why is this test done?

The lipid panel helps check your risk for heart disease or atherosclerosis, which is a hardening, narrowing, or blockage of the arteries.

• The higher your LDL, the greater your risk for heart disease. This is why LDL is called bad cholesterol.
• HDL is called good cholesterol because a high level of HDL in your blood lowers your risk.
• High triglycerides may be related to heart disease, but not as much is known yet about triglycerides and heart disease. When triglycerides are high, HDL is often low.
• High levels of total cholesterol in your blood increase your risk of heart disease.

Because abnormal levels of lipids do not cause symptoms right away, you may not know that your cholesterol level is too high. If this test shows that you have high cholesterol, you can start treatment to lower it and decrease your chances of heart disease. If you already have heart disease, treatment to lower your level of cholesterol can lower your chance of a first or repeat heart attack and lower your risk of death from heart disease.

If you have changed your diet and exercise habits or are taking medicine to lower your cholesterol levels, this test can show how well your treatment is working.

How do I prepare for this test?

• It is generally recommended that you fast overnight before this test. This means not eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before your test. If you need to take medicines, you may take them with a small amount of water on the morning of your test.
• Lipid levels are affected by fat in your diet. Avoid eating fatty foods the evening before your test.
• Don't drink any alcohol for 24 hours before the test.
• Avoid exercise for 12 to 14 hours before the test.
• You may need to avoid taking certain medicines before the test because they might affect the test result. Make sure your healthcare provider knows about any medicines, herbs, or supplements that you are taking. Don't stop any of your regular medicines without first consulting with your healthcare provider.
• Talk to your healthcare provider before the day of your test if you have any questions about how to prepare.

How is the test done?

A small amount of blood is taken from your arm with a needle. The blood is collected in tubes and sent to a lab.

Having this test will take just a few minutes of your time.

How will I get the test result?

Ask your healthcare provider when and how you will get the result of your test.

What do the test results mean?

Total cholesterol: Total cholesterol should be less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

LDL: Ask your provider about your risk for heart disease. It will help you know if your LDL is too high.

• If you have a low risk of heart disease, the recommended level of LDL is less than 160 mg/dL.
• If you have a moderate risk for heart disease, your goal is less than 130 mg/dL.
• If you have heart disease, diabetes, or a high risk of heart disease, your LDL should be below 100 mg/dL. For many people with heart disease and diabetes, the goal is less than 70 mg/dL.

HDL: Because HDL cholesterol protects against heart disease, higher numbers are better.

• Less than 40 mg/dL is low and is considered a major risk factor because it increases your risk for heart disease.
• 60 mg/dL or higher is good and helps to lower your risk for heart disease.

Triglycerides: Generally, it is good to have a triglyceride level less than 150 mg/dL. Triglycerides higher than this may increase your risk of health problems.

Your LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, or total cholesterol levels may be high or your HDL cholesterol level may be low because:

• You have inherited a tendency to have high cholesterol.
• You smoke.
• You don't get enough exercise.
• You eat too much saturated and trans fat (butter, whole milk, red meat, fried fast food, processed food).
• You are overweight.
• You have hypothyroidism.
• You take certain medicines, such as steroids, beta blockers, or birth control pills.

What if my test result is not normal?

Test results are only one part of a larger picture that takes into account your personal and family medical history and your current health. Sometimes a test needs to be repeated to check the first result. Talk to your healthcare provider about your result and ask questions.

If your test results are not normal, ask your healthcare provider:

• if you need additional tests
• what you can do to work toward a normal value or what kind of treatment you may need
• when you need to be tested again