Understanding the Lipid Profile Test: The Purpose and Procedure of this Vital Test

Medically Reviewed by:Dr. Monika Agarwal
Understanding the Lipid Profile Test: The Purpose and Procedure of this Vital Test

A healthy, balanced diet must include a small amount of fat. Essential fatty acids, which the body is unable to produce on its own, are found in fat. The body can better absorb vitamins A, D, and E when fat is present. Because these vitamins are fat-soluble, fats are the only substance that can help them absorb. Body fat is created when fat is not utilized by your body's cells or transformed into energy. Similarly, surplus proteins and carbs are also turned into body fat.

An excess of fat, particularly saturated fats, in the diet can raise cholesterol, which raises the risk of heart disease. Consuming excessive amounts of saturated fats in your diet can cause your blood levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol to rise, raising your risk of heart disease and stroke. The beneficial function of "good" HDL cholesterol is to transport excess cholesterol from areas of the body to the liver, where it is eliminated.

Due to their insoluble nature in water, triglycerides and cholesterol must be transported in conjunction with proteins. Lipoproteins are the complex particles and have a core made up of triglycerides and cholesterol esters. A doctor can assess the risk of lipid-associated health issues and track treatment outcomes by measuring blood levels of HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein), LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol, triglycerides, as well as calculating the non-HDL cholesterol. 

The major objective of treatment is to lower the patient's LDL cholesterol level to a level appropriate for their heart and vessel health by changing their lifestyle and prescribing medication for lowering the cholesterol only if needed. 

What is the Lipid Profile Test?

The lipid panel measures the blood's concentration of particular fat molecules known as lipids. It is a panel test, meaning it measures a variety of substances, including molecules that contain cholesterol in different forms. The lipid panel is used to assess the risk of heart and vessel diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and sudden heart attack in both adults and children.

What is the Purpose of the Lipid Profile Test?

The lipid panel examines blood cholesterol levels to assess heart and vessel health. Excessive cholesterol accumulation can harm blood vessels  and increase the risk of blood vessel blockage. It can lead to impairment of sufficient blood, oxygen, and nutrient supply to organs like the brain and heart resulting in fatal consequences.
This test helps in following:

  • Screening the high-risk individuals: This is a standard test to see if your cholesterol is within the range of normal, borderline, intermediate, or high risk.
  • Diagnosing the diseases: Lipid level testing may be an integral part of the diagnosis process for other conditions, such as disorders related to liver, heart, brain, and blood vessels
  • Assessment of treatment response: A lipid panel is able to assess your response to treatment in cases where you have been advised to alter your lifestyle or take cholesterol  medication.
  • Monitoring the high-risk individuals: Lipid profile testing can track the amount of cholesterol in your blood if you have abnormal results from earlier tests or if you are at high risk for other heart diseases.

Principle Behind Lipid Profile Test

The principle behind lipid profile testing lies in the fact that lipoprotein bound cholesterol becomes blood soluble and can be measured easily. As cholesterol is a water repelling compound, that's why it doesn’t get dissolved in the bloodstream by itself. Furthermore, blood samples are collected in fasting condition for this testing as the meal intake may alter the lipid  levels in the blood. 

What Lipid Profile Test Measures?

Following are the parameters that are measured with the lipid profile test:

  • Total cholesterol
  • Good Fat
  • High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
  • Bad Fat
  • Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
  • Triglycerides (chain of fatty acids)
  • Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol)

Lipid Profile Test Preparation

You usually have to fast for nine to twelve hours prior to having your blood drawn for laboratory Lipid Profile Testing. This entails abstaining from food and consuming only water prior to the exam. It is possible to undergo lipid profile testing without fasting in certain circumstances. however, always adhere to the pre-test instructions you are given or check with your doctor beforehand to figure out if you need to fast.

Lipid Profile Test Procedure

  • In order to increase blood flow and put pressure on your vein during a lipid profile test that requires a blood sample from a vein, the phlebotomist may first tie a band at the top of your arm beneath your shoulder. 
  • The vein in your elbow pit is selected for blood sample collection after the skin surrounding it has been thoroughly cleaned with a sterile wipe. 
  • Needle is attached with a tube to collect your blood sample
  • Slight discomfort or stinging sensation will be accompanied when the laboratory technician inserts or removes the needle. 
  • This process will take not more than five minutes or less. 
  • A fingerstick blood sample collection can also be done for lipid profile test.
  • After mixing the blood sample with a clotting preventing chemicals, the sample is stored in the cartridge.

Lipid Profile Test Result Interpretation

Test results are generally obtained within a day. Each type of cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations are presented along with the standard reference range in the reports. Milligrammes per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) is the unit of measurement for these. the following is a list of the ideal or target level for each component of the usual lipid profile test:

Values exceeding or fall short of these benchmarks could be categorized as high-, intermediate-, or borderline-risk. The risk of heart disease can generally be increased by having lower-than-target levels of HDL and higher-than-target levels of LDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. Abnormally low blood lipid levels are rare but can be seen in malnourished individuals.

Conclusion

To reduce cholesterol and lower the risk of heart diseases, it may be advised to continue monitoring cholesterol levels and/or modify one's lifestyle.  Patients with very high LDL or elevated LDL combined with other risk factors like diabetes or a history of heart diseases are most likely to be prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications, such as the statin drug class. However, testing may be done on a regular basis if you have abnormal lipid levels or heart disease risk factors.

Take control of your blood cholesterol levels right now. Get your lipid profile test done now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Which lipid profile test should I focus on first?
A:
When determining risk and the best course of treatment, the LDL measurement is typically regarded as the most crucial factor.

Q2: Do I need to fast before going for lipid profile testing?
A:
You usually have to fast for nine to twelve hours prior to having your blood drawn for laboratory lipid profile testing. 

Q3: Which cholesterol is harmful?
A:
Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is sometimes referred to as "bad cholesterol." It contains cholesterol, which can adhere to arterial walls, build up in the lining of the vessel to form plaque, and occasionally obstruct blood flow.

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