Lipid Profile

Specimen Required

3-5cc Clotted Blood or Serum

Fasting Required

Purpose of the Test

To assess your risk of developing cardiovascular disease (heart disease, stroke and related diseases); to monitor treatment

When this test is required

In the UK, your lipid profile is commonly tested by your GP when you reach the age of 40, as part of a routine cardiovascular health check. It may be checked at other times if you are thought to be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease for another reason. It will be checked if you develop another medical condition which can be due to abnormal lipids, such as pancreatitis. If you have a close relative with inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolaemia). Finally, it will likely be checked at regular intervals if you have been prescribed lipid-modifying treatments, such as statins.

What the Test Detects

Lipids are fats that are important constituents of cells and sources of energy. They are necessary for life, but abnormal levels may cause -cardiovascular disease. A lipid profile measures the level of specific lipids in the blood. Two types of lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides, are transported in the blood by particles called “lipoproteins”. Each particle contains a combination of protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, and…Lipids are fats that are important constituents of cells and sources of energy. They are necessary for life, but abnormal levels may cause -cardiovascular disease. A lipid profile measures the level of specific lipids in the blood. Two types of lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides, are transported in the blood by particles called “lipoproteins”. Each particle contains a combination of protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid molecules. Lipoprotein particles are classified according to their density into high-density lipoproteins (HDL), intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). Not all of these are measured as part of a routine lipid profile. A lipid profile typically includes:Total cholesterol, which is all of the cholesterol in all the lipoprotein particles. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) which is the cholesterol in HDL particles; often called “good cholesterol” because it represents cholesterol carried to the liver for removal. Non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C) is calculated simply as “total cholesterol minus HDL-C”. This is what is often referred to as “bad cholesterol”, as it represents cholesterol which may be deposited to form “plaques”, which can eventually lead to blockages. Triglycerides — measures all the triglycerides in all the lipoprotein particles; most is in the very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). Some other information may be reported as part of the lipid profile. These parameters are calculated from the results of the tests identified above.Cholesterol: HDL ratio is the calculated ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-C. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a calculated estimate of the cholesterol that is deposited in blood vessel walls. See MoreSee Less

Preparation for the Test

Before 2014, fasting samples were used for a lipid profile, but since then fasting is no longer routinely required. However, fasting may still be needed in some circumstances, so you should follow your doctor’s advice.

Sample Requirements

Testing for your lipid profile reequires a blood sample. Most often, the blood sample is collected by venepuncture (using a needle to collect blood from a vein in the arm). Occasionally a fingerprick test can be used, although this is not commonly available in GP practices or hospitals in the UK.

Additional Notes

A lipid profile should ideally be measured when a person is healthy. In particular, cholesterol can be temporarily low during acute illness, immediately following a heart attack, or during stress (like from surgery or an accident). To get a true representation of your cholesterol, you should wait at least six weeks after any illness before having it measured. In women, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations are high during pregnancy. Women should wait at least three months after the baby is born to have a lipid profile measured. Some drugs are known to affect the lipid profile, including oral corticosteroids, beta blockers, oral contraceptives, thiazide diuretics, oral retinoids and phenytoin.

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