High Cholesterol : Tests
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Tests to diagnose a lipid disorder may include: Lipoprotein test; Lipoprotein(a) analysis; HDL test; LDL test.
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High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia or hyperlipidemia) refers to the presence of higher than normal amounts of total cholesterol circulating in the bloodstream. Cholesterol is a fatty substance (lipid) that is essential to the body as protectio...
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Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in animal tissue and is an important component to the human body. It is manufactured in the liver and carried throughout the body in the bloodstream. Problems can occur when too much cholesterol forms an accu...
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During a physical examination, a health care provider studies a patient's body to determine the presence or absence of physical problems. A typical physical examination includes: Inspection (looking at the body; Palpation (feeling the body with hands; Auscultation (listening to sounds; Percussion (producing sounds.
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Lipid tests routinely performed on plasma include measurement of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Lipid tests may also be performed on amniotic fluid and include tests for lecithin and other pulmonary surfactants.
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Lipid tests are routinely performed on plasma, which is the liquid part of blood without the blood cells. Lipids themselves are a group of organic compounds that are greasy and cannot be dissolved in water, although they can be dissolved in alcohol.
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in the world and is mainly due to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries ). Abnormal blood lipids are risk factors for CVD.
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HDL stands for high density lipoprotein, a form of "good" cholesterol. Lipoproteins are proteins in the blood that move cholesterol, triglycerides, and other fats, called lipids, to various parts of the body. This article discusses the blood test used to measure levels of HDL cholesterol in your blood. See also: LDL test ("bad" cholesterol; Lipid profile; High blood cholesterol and triglycerides; Total cholesterol test.
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A total cholesterol test is a rough measure of all the cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Cholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance found in all parts of the body. Your body needs a little bit of cholesterol to work properly. But too much cholesterol can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease. Some cholesterol is considered "good" and some is considered "bad." Different blood tests are needed to individually measure each type of cholesterol. See also: HDL test ("good" cholesterol; LDL test ("bad" cholesterol; Lipid profile; High blood cholesterol and triglycerides.
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The cholesterol test is a quantitative analysis of the cholesterol levels in a sample of the patient ' s blood. Total serum cholesterol (TC) is the measurement routinely taken.
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The number of cholesterol tests has proliferated, but for most people, the traditional fasting cholesterol is still the way to go.
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