Lipid Profile (Cholesterol)
A blood test that measures the fats in your blood, used to assess your risk of heart disease.
Lipid Profile (Cholesterol)
A blood test that measures the fats in your blood, used to assess your risk of heart disease.
Also known as
- Cholesterol test
- Lipid panel
What it measures
- Total cholesterol
- LDL ('bad') cholesterol
- HDL ('good') cholesterol
- Triglycerides
Why a doctor may order it
Often ordered as part of a routine exam. How often you need it depends on your age, risk factors and family history.
What it helps evaluate
It gives your doctor information about your risk of developing heart disease. If cholesterol is high, there are steps a doctor can advise to lower it.
Preparation
Your provider will tell you if there are any special instructions.
Fasting
You may need to fast (not eat or drink) for 9 to 12 hours before the test, which is why it is often done in the morning. Your provider or the lab will tell you whether you need to.
Important considerations
- Follow the fasting instructions your doctor or the lab gives you — they can differ.
Discuss results with your doctor
Talk to a doctor about your symptoms and about what your results mean — a single result is not a diagnosis. See a doctor promptly for severe or worsening symptoms.