Test Overview
Cholesterol and triglyceride tests are blood tests that
measure the total amount of fatty substances (cholesterol and
triglycerides) in the blood.
Cholesterol
travels through the blood attached to a
protein. This cholesterol-protein package is called a
lipoprotein. Lipoprotein analysis (lipoprotein profile or lipid profile)
measures blood levels of
total cholesterol,
LDL cholesterol,
HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
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Cholesterol. The body uses cholesterol to
help build cells and produce
hormones. Too much cholesterol in the blood can build
up along the inside of the artery walls, forming what is known as
plaque. Large amounts of plaque increase your chances
of having a heart attack or stroke.
-
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol
helps remove fat from the body by binding with it in the bloodstream and
carrying it back to the liver for disposal. It is sometimes called "good"
cholesterol. A high level of HDL cholesterol may lower your chances of
developing heart disease or stroke.
-
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol
carries mostly fat and only a small amount of protein from the liver to other
parts of the body. It is sometimes called "bad cholesterol." A high LDL
cholesterol level may increase your chances of developing heart disease.
-
VLDL: (very low-density lipoprotein)
cholesterol contains very little protein. The main purpose of VLDL is to
distribute the triglyceride produced by your liver. A high VLDL cholesterol
level can cause the buildup of cholesterol in your arteries and increases your
risk of heart disease and stroke.
-
Triglycerides are a type of fat the body
uses to store energy. Only small amounts are found in the blood. Having a high
triglyceride level along with a high LDL cholesterol may increase your chances
of having heart disease more than having only a high LDL cholesterol
level.
Some medical experts recommend routine cholesterol and
triglyceride testing to screen for problems that affect the way cholesterol is
produced, used, carried in the blood, or disposed of by the body. Others may
choose to routinely measure only total cholesterol and HDL levels.