Cholesterol Test

Submitted by Thiruvelan on , Last modified date: 2012-08-01 17:38

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Diagnosis of high cholesterol is carrying out by measuring the cholesterol levels within the blood called lipoprotein profile.

What is a Lipoprotein profile test?

Lipoprotein profile is a cholesterol-diagnosing test, which will provide information about:

  • Total cholesterol
  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) otherwise called as bad cholesterol.
  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) otherwise called as good cholesterol.
  • Triglycerides are another form of fat within the blood.

Cholesterol levels are measurable in mg/dL or mmol/L of blood.

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Why Cholesterol Test?

Cholesterol test is different from other test, which are mostly performing for the diagnosis of a disease. However, in the case of cholesterol test it is useful to assess risk of developing diseases such as heart disease. High cholesterol level is strongly associated with arterial hardening called atherosclerosis, which leads to heart diseases and even increases the risk towards death due to heart attacks. Thus, cholesterol testing help to lower these risks, so lipid profile test is considering as a preventive health care test.

Who should be cholesterol tested and how often?

All adults over 20 years of age are required undergoing a complete lipid profile test for every five years. If the lipid levels are repeatedly normal, then you can go longer between tests. If your lipid levels are borderline high, then you require more frequent testing.

More often lipid profile tests may be every year for people with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke.

Cholesterol diagnosis test is performing after 9 to 12 hours of fasting; that is not to eat or drink anything except water.

Is it necessary to fast or not before a cholesterol test?

Before taking blood test for cholesterol needs to fast (not eat or drink anything except water) for 9 to 12 hours. However recent studies clarify that the reading with and without fasting are same so fasting is not necessary. We suggest you to consult your doctor and the lab for proper procedure, before going for a test.

Cholesterol diagnosis test; Lipoprotein profile provides information on total cholesterol, LDL or bad cholesterol, HDL or good cholesterol and triglycerides levels in the blood.

Cholesterol diagnosis test is performing after 9 to 12 hours of fasting; that is not to eat or drink anything except water.

Influencing factors on cholesterol test

Immediately after any illness, the cholesterol level is natural to drop temporarily. Particularly after a heart attack, stroke, surgery, or accident. You have to wait for at least 6 weeks after illness, for your cholesterol level to stabilize.
 
During pregnancy it is normal for the cholesterol level to elevate, so it is advisable to wait for at least six weeks after giving birth to have the cholesterol level tested.
 
Some medications can elevate your cholesterol level, which include beta-blockers, epinephrine, anabolic steroids, oral contraceptives and vitamin D.

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