Lipid Panel Numbers Explained: LDL, HDL & Triglycerides in Palm Beach County, FL

What it involves

MedlinePlus says a cholesterol test, also called a lipid profile or lipid panel, is a blood test that measures cholesterol and triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood. It reports LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. This page is about reading the report; the practice's high cholesterol visit covers treatment and follow-up in more depth.

Who this is for

• Patients who just got a lipid panel and want each number explained in plain words
• Patients who are not sure how often they should have cholesterol rechecked
• Patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease
• Patients with an at-home cholesterol result who want to know what to do with it

What to expect

• A review of your past results, medicines, diet, and family history
• A blood draw, with fasting if your provider asks for it
• Your LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides explained one at a time
• A recheck date and a short list of changes that matter most for you

The four numbers on the report

MedlinePlus describes what each one is:

• LDL, the so-called bad cholesterol, which it calls the main source of artery blockages
• HDL, the good cholesterol, which helps remove LDL; higher is generally better
• Total cholesterol, the sum that includes both LDL and HDL
• Triglycerides, a type of fat that may raise heart disease risk when high, especially in women

Healthy levels for adults, according to MedlinePlus

For adults aged 20 and older, MedlinePlus lists a healthy total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dL, LDL of less than 100 mg/dL, and non-HDL of less than 130 mg/dL. It says an HDL of 60 mg/dL or more is best, and that low HDL means below 40 for men and below 50 for women. It adds that a healthy level for you depends on age, family history, lifestyle, and other risk factors, which is what the visit sorts out. MedlinePlus notes that cholesterol gallstones are not related to the cholesterol level in the blood, a point the gallstones guide explains.

Calculated versus direct LDL

MedlinePlus notes that the LDL on your report may say calculated, which means it was estimated from your total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides, while a direct LDL is measured from the blood sample. Either way, a low LDL is the goal. It also says VLDL, another fraction, is usually not measured routinely because it is hard to measure, and a lab may estimate it from your triglycerides instead.

How often to be tested

MedlinePlus gives general recommendations: adults 20 to 65 every five years when younger, men 45 to 65 and women 55 to 65 every one to two years, and people over 65 every year. You may be tested more often if you have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, smoking, excess weight, inactivity, or a diet high in saturated fat. Heart risk as a whole is covered in the heart disease risk review.

Fasting and at-home kits

MedlinePlus says you may need to fast for 9 to 12 hours before a cholesterol test, which is why it is often done in the morning, and that your provider will say whether fasting applies. It also notes that at-home finger-prick kits exist, and that you should tell your provider if an at-home total cholesterol is higher than 200 mg/dL. The fasting blood work preparation guide covers the practical side of fasting.

What helps lower LDL

MedlinePlus lists several actions: a diet lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, managing weight, staying active, quitting smoking, reducing stress, and limiting alcohol. It advises talking to your provider before major changes in diet or exercise. Everyday habits that support the heart are described in the practice's simple habits for heart health article, and the high cholesterol visit is where medicine, if any, would be discussed.

Sources

• MedlinePlus — Cholesterol Levels