This test measures your total cholesterol, HDL, calculated LDL, and triglyceride levels

Your cholesterol blood test results will show your levels of total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. Knowing your numbers and taking steps to optimize your cholesterol and lipid levels is a great way to help reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease.

Total Cholesterol

Cholesterol is necessary to make the cells in our body. We get cholesterol from two sources—our liver makes cholesterol, and we can also get it from eating foods from animals. Total cholesterol is the total pool of cholesterol in the body, which includes biomarkers explicitly measured like LDL, HDL and triglycerides as well as other smaller lipid molecules.

Calculated LDL

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is generally considered the "bad cholesterol" as high blood concentrations of this form of cholesterol can result in a lipid disorder, increasing the risk of heart disease. LDL cholesterol can deposit in arteries and lead to a condition known as atherosclerosis. LDL can be calculated mathematically using triglycerides and total cholesterol values or measured directly—this test measures calculated LDL; however, the LDL value will not be able to be calculated if the total triglyceride concentration is greater than 400 mg/dL.

HDL

HDL, high-density lipoprotein, is considered the "good cholesterol" because it is able to carry cholesterol deposits away from arteries and back to the liver where it can be broken down and cleared from the body.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are the primary form of fat in the blood. Excessive levels of triglycerides may lead to damage to organs such as the liver and pancreas and may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

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