Lipid Panel Test


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Lipid Testing The Lipid Panel Test Doctors use a lipid panel test in order to determine the levels of cholesterol and glycerides in the blood. These numbers help determine the degree to which an individual is at risk of developing atherosclerosis, the precursor to coronary heart disease. A lipid panel test creates a lipid profile by measuring the types of lipids (fats) in the blood. This test allows a doctor to understand the many types of lipids that are affecting the body and levels of each. The result helps to uncover the overall pattern of blood lipids to gain a more accurate assessment of both treatment and prognosis. The measures include: 1) Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol Referred to as 'bad' cholesterol, high levels of LDL in the blood cause an accumulation of fatty deposits called plaque in the arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. This plaque reduces blood flow through the arteries and can cause blot clots leading to heart attack and stroke. LDL is of particular concern to those patients with diabetes, as the LDL molecules tend to be denser and smaller, causing increased damage to arteries. 2) High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol Referred to as 'good' cholesterol, due to the movement away from the arteries, high levels of HDL help to keep the arteries open and unclogged, allowing for unobstructed blood flow. 3) Triglycerides These types of lipids are usually found in fat tissue. High levels help the body to store excess fat, increasing the risk of developing heart disease. 4) Total cholesterol This is the total amount of cholesterol content in the blood. Although cholesterol is vital for body functioning, high total cholesterol levels can indicate and increased risk of developing heart disease. These four measures are delineated as milligrams per deciliter, and they are usually categorized in five descriptive terms; optimal, near optimal, borderline high risk, high risk and very high risk. All four measures falling in the optimal category is the goal. contact lenses education grants small business grants adipex diet pills freshlook contact lenses financial planning credit repair
Homepage \| Lipitor \| About Cholesterol \| Cholesterol & the Body \| Cholesterol & Triglycerides \| Cholesterol & Dietary Fats Cholesterol in Children \| Cholesterol FAQs \| Understanding Lipids \| The Lipid Panel Test \| Web Resources