Cholesterol and Triglycerides Tests

Cholesterol and triglycerides tests are the blood tests that are performed to measure the total amount of fatty substances (cholesterol and triglyceride) in the blood. Cholesterol is attached to the protein when it travels through the blood. Lipoprotein is a package of this cholesterol and protein. In the analysis of lipoprotein level of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides levels in the blood are measured. Cholesterol is used to build the cells and produce hormones. Excess cholesterol amount in the body forms plaque (deposition) along the inside of the artery walls. If you have large amount of plaque then you are in a high risk of having heart attack or stroke.
Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol carries little protein and more fat from liver to other body parts. It is known as bad cholesterol. Its high levels increase your chances of developing heart disease. Triglyceride is a kind of body fat used for energy storage. There are small amounts of this type of protein in your blood.

Need

Cholesterol triglyceride test is done to screen for the lipid disorder or as a part of regular physical examination. It also checks your response to medicines used to treat lipid disorders and possibility of having heart disease and stroke. If you show the uncommon symptoms such as yellow fatty deposits in the skin, due to rare genetic disease leading to very high cholesterol levels.

Procedure

The preparation for the test is performed as per the type of the test. You should not eat or drink anything 9-12 hours before the test. You are allowed to take your medicines with water in the morning before the test. You should avoid high fat foods a night before the test. Avoid strenuous exercise or alcohol before the test. It is possible that many medicines may affect the test results so inform your doctor about all the medicines you taking beforehand. The method of blood sample selection is same like the simple blood test. The blood is taken from the vein and then sent to lab for further testing.

Result

You can get the results within 24 hours. The levels of cholesterol and triglycerides vary as per the age and sex. They also may vary from lab to lab.
Cholesterol and triglycerides (Total cholesterol)

• Desirable: Less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) Less than 5.17 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)
• Borderline high: 200- 239 mg/dL to 17-6.18 mmol/L
• High: 240 mg/dL or higher, 6.21 mmol/L or higher

Sometimes, very high cholesterol and triglyceride levels are the result of the an inherited form of the high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia or hyperlipidemia)

Consideration

There are very little chances of getting any kind of risk from a blood test. Sometimes, the vein may become swollen or infected. Sometimes, the vein has inflammation too. In rare cases the swelling at the needle site is observed. It is also possible that you may get small bruise at the needle site. You have to keep pressure on the needle site to lower the chance of bruising.