Test Overview
Cholesterol and triglyceride tests are blood tests that
measure the total amount of fatty substances ( and
) in the blood.
Cholesterol
travels through the blood attached to a
. This cholesterol-protein package is called a
lipoprotein. Lipoprotein analysis (lipoprotein profile or lipid profile)
measures blood levels of
,
,
, and triglycerides.
- Cholesterol. The body uses cholesterol to
help build cells and produce
. Too much cholesterol in the blood can build
up inside arteries, forming what is known as
. Large amounts of plaque increase your chances
of having a heart attack or stroke.
- HDL (high-density lipoprotein) helps remove fat from the body by binding with it in the bloodstream and
carrying it back to the liver for disposal. It is sometimes called "good"
cholesterol. A high level of HDL cholesterol may lower your chances of
developing heart disease or stroke.
- LDL (low-density lipoprotein) carries mostly fat and only a small amount of protein from the liver to other
parts of the body. A certain level of LDL in your blood is normal and healthy because
LDL moves cholesterol to the parts of your body that
need it. But it is sometimes called "bad cholesterol" because a high level may increase your chances of developing heart disease.
- VLDL: (very low-density lipoprotein)
contains very little protein. The main purpose of VLDL is to
distribute the triglyceride produced by your liver. A high VLDL cholesterol
level can cause the buildup of cholesterol in your arteries and increases your
risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Triglycerides are a type of fat the body
uses to store energy and give energy to muscles. Only small amounts are found in the blood. Having a high
triglyceride level along with a high LDL cholesterol may increase your chances
of having heart disease more than having only a high LDL cholesterol
level.