Overview
The Lipid panel looks closely at overall cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood to determine your heart health in regards to potential fat and oils blockages. Cholesterol and triglycerides are main components of natural fats and oils - lipids - and this test makes sure they are at a healthy level in your body. Monitoring these lipid levels are vital to heart health. Unchecked and untreated, these lipids can lead to plaque buildup in the heart, which can narrow blood vessels and lead to results from lower energy to heart disease and stroke. A lipid panel looks at multiple factors across your body. Here’s the inside scoop on what you’ll see: Total Cholesterol level: The total amount of cholesterol in your blood. LDL, or “Bad Cholesterol”: AKA Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. This bad cholesterol is what can become plaque on your arteries. HDL , or “Good cholesterol”: AKA High-density lipoprotein cholesterol. This cholesterol actually decreases and removes the LDL in your blood. Triglycerides: When you have unused calories and unhealthy fats in your body, they are stored as fat cells in lipids called triglycerides. Cholesterol/HDL Ratio (calculated): this is a calculated result that illustrates the ratio of good to bad cholesterol in your body. Non-HDL Cholesterol (calculated): this is a calculated result that illustrates the ratio of bad cholesterol in your body.
Test Contents
Total cholesterol, Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, Triglycerides
Symptoms
It is important to point out that, most of the time, a person will have no symptoms of a lipid disorder until they experience a significant health problem, such as a stroke or heart attack.
yellowish fatty bumps or yellow creases on the skin formed by an accumulation of fatty deposits around tendons and joints (xanthomas)
white arcs around the cornea of the eye (arcus senilis) which sometimes occur in younger people with high cholesterol
raised yellow lumps at the inner corners of the eyes (xanthelasma)
When To Check
Lipid panels should be a regular part of your annual wellness check. Doing a lipid panel is especially important if you: Are over 45; have previously received a high cholesterol test; smoke cigarettes; are obese; if you have diabetes or hypertension; or if you have a first-degree relative who developed heart disease early on.
Process To Get Checked
Order Your Test
Choose the test you want to take to know your body better. Then, order your tests online.
Visit A Local Lab
With 3000+ locations, you’ll find a lab near you, easy. Bring your order number to the lab and get tested.
Get Your Result
Your results come straight to your email. Understand your results with our online resources.
