Compare - Cholesterol & Lipids Test (EW)

The Compare - Cholesterol & Lipids Test (EW) test contains 1 test with 7 biomarkers.

Why pay $49 for Everlywell's Cholesterol & Lipids finger prick test kit when you can experience the convenience and affordablity of a Cholesterol & Lipids lab test with Ulta Lab Tests - compare now and save!

Brief Description: The Cholesterol & Lipids Lab Test, also known as a Lipid Panel or Lipid Profile, is a comprehensive blood test that measures various lipid components in the bloodstream. These lipids include triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and calculates cholesterol/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios. This test provides essential information about an individual's cardiovascular health and lipid metabolism.

Also Known As: Lipid Profile Test, Lipid Test, Cholesterol Profile Test, Cholesterol Panel Test, Cholesterol Test, Coronary Risk Panel Test, lipid blood test, Lipid w/Ratios Test, Cholesterol Ratio test, blood cholesterol Test

Collection Method: Blood Draw

Specimen Type: Serum

Test Preparation: Patient should be fasting 9-12 hours prior to collection.

When and Why the Cholesterol & Lipids Test May Be Ordered

Timing of the Test: The Cholesterol & Lipids Test is typically ordered as part of a routine check-up or as a preventive measure to assess cardiovascular risk factors. It may also be ordered when a healthcare provider wants to monitor a patient's lipid profile over time or when specific risk factors are present.

Reasons for Ordering the Test:

  1. Cardiovascular Risk Assessment: Healthcare providers often order this test to assess an individual's risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. High levels of certain lipids, especially LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, are associated with an increased risk of these diseases.

  2. Monitoring Lipid-Lowering Medications: Patients taking medications to control cholesterol levels, such as statins, may have regular Lipid Panel tests to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and ensure lipid levels remain within target ranges.

  3. Evaluation of Diet and Lifestyle Changes: The test can be used to assess the impact of dietary modifications, exercise, and lifestyle changes on lipid profiles. It helps gauge the success of interventions aimed at improving cardiovascular health.

  4. Identification of Lipid Abnormalities: Lipid disorders, including hyperlipidemia and dyslipidemia, can be detected through this test. It aids in identifying individuals with lipid abnormalities that may require intervention.

  5. Risk Assessment for Atherosclerosis: Elevated LDL cholesterol levels are a known risk factor for atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arteries. This test helps assess the risk of atherosclerosis and its potential complications.

What the Cholesterol & Lipids Test Checks For

The Cholesterol & Lipids Lab Test assesses the following lipid components:

  1. Triglycerides: Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the bloodstream. Elevated triglyceride levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

  2. Total Cholesterol: Total cholesterol measures the combined levels of HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and other lipoproteins in the blood.

  3. HDL Cholesterol: HDL cholesterol, often referred to as "good" cholesterol, helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and is associated with lower cardiovascular risk.

  4. LDL Cholesterol: LDL cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, can build up in arteries, leading to atherosclerosis and increasing the risk of heart disease.

  5. Non HDL Cholesterol: Non HDL cholesterol is calculated by subtracting HDL cholesterol from total cholesterol. It provides a measure of the cholesterol carried by atherogenic lipoproteins and is considered a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk.

  6. Cholesterol/HDL Ratio: This ratio assesses the relationship between total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. A lower ratio is generally associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

  7. LDL/HDL Ratio: This ratio evaluates the balance between LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. A higher ratio suggests a higher cardiovascular risk.

How Health Care Providers Use the Results of the Cholesterol & Lipids Test

Healthcare providers use the results of the Cholesterol & Lipids Lab Test to:

  1. Assess Cardiovascular Risk: The test helps estimate an individual's risk of heart disease and stroke based on lipid profiles. High levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides are associated with increased risk.

  2. Determine Treatment Approaches: Depending on the lipid profile results, healthcare providers may recommend lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, exercise programs, or lipid-lowering medications to manage lipid disorders and reduce cardiovascular risk.

  3. Monitor Treatment Progress: For individuals already on medication or interventions to lower lipid levels, periodic Lipid Panel tests help assess treatment effectiveness and adjust medications as needed.

  4. Identify Genetic Lipid Disorders: In some cases, abnormal lipid profiles may be due to genetic lipid disorders (e.g., familial hypercholesterolemia). Identifying these conditions is crucial for appropriate management.

  5. Customize Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Plans: Individualized risk reduction plans, including dietary recommendations and exercise regimens, can be developed based on lipid profile results.

  6. Prevent Cardiovascular Events: Managing lipid levels and addressing lipid abnormalities can help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events.

In summary, the Cholesterol & Lipids Lab Test is a valuable tool for assessing cardiovascular risk, guiding preventive measures and treatments, and promoting heart health. It provides critical information that aids healthcare providers in developing personalized strategies to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.

The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

Also known as: Lipid Panel with Ratios (fasting), Lipid Profile with Ratios (fasting), Lipids

Chol/HDLC Ratio

Cholesterol, Total

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to work properly. But if you have too much in your blood, it can combine with other substances in the blood and stick to the walls of your arteries. This is called plaque. Plaque can narrow your arteries or even block them. High levels of cholesterol in the blood can increase your risk of heart disease. Your cholesterol levels tend to rise as you get older. There are usually no signs or symptoms that you have high blood cholesterol, but it can be detected with a blood test. You are likely to have high cholesterol if members of your family have it, if you are overweight or if you eat a lot of fatty foods. You can lower your cholesterol by exercising more and eating more fruits and vegetables. You also may need to take medicine to lower your cholesterol.

HDL Cholesterol

LDL-Cholesterol

LDL/HDL Ratio

Non HDL Cholesterol

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a form of fat and a major source of energy for the body. This test measures the amount of triglycerides in the blood. Most triglycerides are found in fat (adipose) tissue, but some triglycerides circulate in the blood to provide fuel for muscles to work. After a person eats, an increased level of triglycerides is found in the blood as the body converts the energy not needed right away into fat. Triglycerides move via the blood from the gut to adipose tissue for storage. In between meals, triglycerides are released from fat tissue to be used as an energy source for the body. Most triglycerides are carried in the blood by lipoproteins called very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). High levels of triglycerides in the blood are associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), although the reason for this is not well understood. Certain factors can contribute to high triglyceride levels and to risk of CVD, including lack of exercise, being overweight, smoking cigarettes, consuming excess alcohol, and medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease.
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