LDL Cholesterol Test

Submitted on March 27, 2012

Triglyceride and cholesterol tests are blood tests to measure the fatty substances in the bloodstream. Attached to a protein, cholesterol travels through the blood and this package is known as a lipoprotein. A lipid profile test or a lipoprotein analysis measures the triglyderides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in your blood.

Cholesterol Types

This is used to produce hormones and build cells. Excess cholesterol in the blood can clog artery walls and form plaque. Too much of this can cause heart disease or stroke.

HDL Cholesterol (High-density lipoprotein)

This type of cholesterol can bind the fat in the body and carry it to the liver for flushing out. This is a good cholesterol and a high level of this can lower your risk of heart disease. HDL cholesterol test is done to measure the level of this cholesterol in the blood.

LDL Cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein

This “bad cholesterol” a small part of protein and mostly fat from the liver to other parts of the body. LDL cholesterol test is done to measure the level of this cholesterol in the blood.

VLDL Cholesterol (very low-density lipoprotein)

This cholesterol distributes the triglyceride that the liver produces. Excess VLDL cholesterol can increase the cholesterol in the arteries and this can make you susceptible to heart disease as well as stroke.

Triglycerides are fat that is used by the body to store energy.

Reasons for test

These tests are done to check for lipid disorder.
Through these tests you can check as to how a certain medicine is responding.
To check if you are at a risk of getting heart disease, especially if you have symptoms that show the same.
To check for rare genetic diseases that can lead to high level of cholesterol.

Preparation

Each test needs a different kind of preparation. Your doctor will tell you what you need to do for each of the tests. He might ask you not to drink or eat for nine to twelve hours before the blood test. While fasting is not required, it is recommended.

You should not eat anything with too much of fat the night before the blood test.

You may be advised to avoid rigorous exercise and alcohol before the test.

If you are on any particular medicines that affect the test, then the doctor might ask you to refrain from them until the test is conducted.

Procedure to Conduct this Test

This is a standard blood test, where an elastic band is wrapped around your upper arm to make the veins larger and restrict the flow of blood. The area where the needle is to be inserted is cleaned and the needle is injected into the skin to draw out blood.