Diagnosis of Lipid Disorders
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Lipid disorders are diagnosed with blood tests that measure the level of cholesterol and triglyceride in the blood.
Blood Tests
Cholesterol levels are checked with a blood test. A small blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. You may need to fast for several hours, usually overnight, before your blood is taken. The test measures levels of:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL (bad) cholesterol
- HDL (good) cholesterol
- Triglycerides
The readings are interpreted as follows:
Total Cholesterol
Level | Interpretation |
---|---|
<200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L) | Desirable |
200-239 mg/dL (5.2-6.1 mmol/L) | Borderline high |
240 mg/dL (6.2 mmol/L) and above | High |
LDL Cholesterol
Level | Interpretation |
---|---|
less than 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) | Optimal |
100-129 mg/dL (2.6-3.3 mmol/L) | Near optimal/above optimal |
130-159 mg/dL (3.4-4.0 mmol/L) | Borderline high |
160-189 mg/dL (4.1-4.8 mmol/L) | High |
>190 mg/dL (4.9 mmol/L) and above | Very high |
HDL Cholesterol
Level | Interpretation |
---|---|
60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) and above | Protective against heart disease |
less than 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) | A major heart disease risk factor |
Triglycerides
Level | Interpretation |
---|---|
less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) | Normal |
150-199 mg/dL (1.7-2.2 mmol/L) | Borderline high |
200-499 mg/dL (2.3-5.6 mmol/L) | High |
500 mg/dL (5.7 mmol/L) and above | Very high |
mg/dL = milligrams per deciliter of blood (mmol/L= millimoles per liter of blood)
References:
American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000 .
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ .
Last reviewed April 2009 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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