“Oh, my cholesterol seems a little high…” “The doctor said to check my cholesterol…” We hear stories like this all the time, don't we? Although many people talk about cholesterol, few know exactly about the blood test that is used to check it, that is, the Lipid Profile Test. So today we thought we would simply talk to you about this cholesterol test .
Why do we need to do this cholesterol test?
Simply put, this is one of the most important reports you can get about your body's health. This blood test checks whether the cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood are at healthy levels. By looking at these values, your doctor can get a good idea of your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the future.
Just like checking the oil level in a car's engine and stopping it before a major repair is needed, this test can be a great help in identifying and controlling a major illness in our body before it occurs.
When should I take this test?
In general, it's a good idea to have this test at least every five years after you turn 20. However, if you have any of the risk factors listed below, you may need to have this test sooner or more frequently, as advised by your doctor.
- If you are a man over 45 years old .
- If you are a woman over 50 (especially after menopause).
- Yours completelyIf you have previously been diagnosed with total cholesterol levels greater than 200 mg/dL.
- If your “good” cholesterol (HDL) level is low (less than 40 mg/dL in men, less than 50 mg/dL in women).
- If you have other medical conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure , or diabetes .
- If you are already taking medication to control your cholesterol .
How do you prepare before the test?
This is the biggest problem that many people have. To get accurate results from this test, you need to fast for between 9 and 12 hours before donating blood.
Simply put, if you are donating blood at 8 am, it is best not to eat anything after 8 pm the previous day. It is okay to drink some clean water . But do not drink anything like tea, coffee, or fruit drinks. It is best to take the test in the morning, because most of the fasting time is spent sleeping.
Very important: If you are taking any medications daily, you should definitely ask your doctor for advice on whether or not to take them the night before and the morning after donating blood. Do only as he or she tells you. Otherwise, the values in the report may be incorrect.
Let's understand the cholesterol report?
There are several values in your report. Doctors call this complete test a 'Lipid Profile' . Let's look at the main components and what their healthy levels are.
| Part of the test | Simply put… | Healthy level (mg/dL) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol | This is the sum of both the good ( HDL ) and bad (LDL) cholesterol in your blood. The higher this value, the higher the risk. | Less than 200: Healthy level 200-239: Risk limit 240 or above: High risk level |
| LDL (“bad” cholesterol) | This is the “bad boy.” When it builds up, it builds up in the blood vessels and clogs them. It’s like rust clogging water pipes. The less of it, the better. | Less than 100: Very good (less than 70 is better for people with heart disease) 100-129: Good level 130-159: Risk limit 160-189: High risk level 190 or higher: Very dangerous level |
| HDL (“good” cholesterol) | This is our “good boy.” What he does is remove the bad LDL cholesterol that builds up in the arteries and helps keep the blood vessels clean. So the more of this, the better! | Men: If under 40 – Risky Women: If less than 50 – Risky For both: 60 or above – healthy, safe level |
| Triglycerides | This is also a type of fat that the body makes from the food we eat. Increased levels of this, especially when HDL is low and LDL is high, are a major cause of blood vessel blockage. The lower this is, the better. | Less than 150: Healthy level 150-199: Risk threshold 200-499: High risk level 500 or more: Very dangerous level |
What should you do after receiving the report?
This is the most important thing. Don't just look at the values in the report and make your own decisions. You should take the report and go straight to the doctor who examined you or your family doctor.
Because not everyone's goals are the same. Your doctor will consider many factors, such as your age, gender, and whether you have any other medical conditions, to determine what level of health is right for you.
- If all your values are in a healthy range: That's great! But you need to maintain these good habits. Your doctor will probably ask you to take another test in about 5 years.
- If one of your values is at risk: Don't worry. This is something that can be controlled. The doctor will first advise you to change your diet and exercise daily . Small changes such as reducing oil, fried, and flour foods, adding vegetables, fruits, and greens to your diet, and walking briskly for at least 30 minutes a day can yield big results. If those things alone don't control the level, the doctor will prescribe the necessary medication for you.
Take-Home Message
- A cholesterol test, or Lipid Profile, is a very important test to learn about your heart health.
- Get this test done at the appropriate time as advised by your doctor, especially if you have risk factors.
- Follow the instructions exactly, such as fasting before the test. Otherwise, the results may be incorrect.
- Don't panic or make decisions based on the values in the report. Always consult a doctor for advice.
- High cholesterol is a controllable condition. It can be maintained at a healthy level with a proper lifestyle and, if necessary, medication prescribed by your doctor.
Cholesterol, Lipid Profile, Heart Disease, Blood Tests, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What does a Lipid Profile Test look for?
A lipid profile test measures the total cholesterol in your blood by dividing it into four parts. This allows doctors to look at bad cholesterol (LDL), good cholesterol (HDL), triglycerides, and total cholesterol separately.
💬 Do I have to fast before taking this test?
Yes, in most cases, doctors say that for the most accurate results, it is best to take this blood test after not eating anything (drinking only water) for 9 to 12 hours after dinner.
💬 What happens if my bad cholesterol (LDL) increases?
When LDL, or bad cholesterol, increases in amount, it gets stuck in the arteries that carry blood to the heart and blocks them. This greatly increases the risk of developing serious diseases like heart attack and stroke in the future.
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