What is this test?

This is a blood test to measure different types of cholesterol. There are 5 main types of cholesterol in the body. High levels of cholesterol can lead to heart disease and weight gain. This test helps track cholesterol levels and enable better control.

How do I know that I need a choleterol test?

Do this test if you have 1 or more of the following symptoms :

• You are overweight: High cholesterol is usually associated with weight gain.
• Fat deposits: Lumps of fat under the skin, sagging fat folds, in the elbows, knees are signs of cholesterol buildup
• You have high Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is often caused by increaed weight and cholesterol
• Golden rings in the eyes: Seen in people with very high cholesterol, there may appear golden brown rings, around the colored part of the eyes. These are zones where excess cholesterol has been deposited.
• Fat tags on eyelids: These are groupings of cholesterol which may be seen on or over eyelids.
• Foul smelling stools: Excess cholesterol may lead to fat deposition in stools and they may have a bad smell.

Who should do this test?

Cholesterol test should be done by the following groups of people:

• Overweight and Obese : People who ar obese should have a HBA1C test to screen for diabetes.
• Heart Patients - People with heart blockage should do the test
• Stroke Patients - People with strokes should do the test
• Routine Checkups - Cholesterol test should be done by all adults over the age of 35 at least once a year.
• Those with family history of cholesterol - People with family history of high cholesterol should do this test.
• Regular drinkers - People who drink alcohol regularly should do this test, as alcohol increased blood cholesterol

How is the test done?

This is a simple blood. You need to fast for 8-12 hours before the test. To prepare for the test

• Fast for 8-12 hours : Fasting overnight, for around 12 hours is requird.
• No food is allowed : Do not eat anything for 12 hours before the test.
• Water is allowed : Plain water without any sugar or additives is allowed. Tea/coffee is not allowed

To perform this test, a sample of blood will be drawn from your vein, by inserting a sterile needle. The blood sample will then be analyzed in the lab.

What will be mentioned in the report?

The report will include the levels of 5 types of cholesterol :

• Total Cholesterol : Created in liver, from fat in diet
• LDL Cholesterol :'Bad Cholesterol' - gets stuck in heart, arteries and muscles. Cause of heart attacks, and weight gain, strokes
• HDL Cholesterol : 'Good Cholesterol' - moves bad cholesterol out of body
• Triglycerides : Fat present in food, spikes in blood immediately after meal
• VLDL Cholesterol :Related to triglycerides

What is the normal range and meaning of Lipid Profile?

The normal range of cholesterol is as follows.

Test	Normal Range
Total Cholesterol	0 mg/dl to 200 mg/dl
LDL Cholesterol	0 mg/dl to 100 mg/dl
HDL Cholesterol	Men : More than 40 mg/dl, Women : More than 50 mg/dl
Triglycerides	0 mg/dl to 150 mg/dl
VLDL Cholesterol	0 mg/dl to 30 mg/dl

Summary

Sample Type	Blood
Time to Get Report	1 day
Test Method	Biochemistry
Normal Range	Total Cholesterol : Upto 200 mg/dl, LDL Cholesterol : Upto 100 mg/dl, HDL Cholesterol : More than 50 mg/dl, Triglycerides : Upto 150 mg/dl, VLDL Cholesterol : Upto 30 mg/dl
Purpose of test	Screens for high cholesterol
Fasting Required	Yes : 8-12 hours
Total Tests	5
Doctor's Prescription Required	No
Reports Available By	PDF available through Watsapp,Email and Hardcopy(on request)
Other Names	Cholesterol Test, Lipid Profile, Cholesterol Profile