A complete cholesterol test is also called a lipid panel or lipid profile. These tests measure levels of cholesterol and other fats in your blood. Cholesterol is a waxy substance your body needs to produce certain hormones and to build the outer membrane of every cell. Although a certain level of cholesterol is essential, too much of it can build up in your blood vessels and raise your risk of:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends beginning cholesterol testing in childhood or adolescence and getting retested at least every 5 years after the age of 20. A complete cholesterol test measures the levels of lipids, or fats, in your blood. It primarily measures your:
In the United States, cholesterol and triglyceride levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood. If your cholesterol numbers are outside of the normal range, you may be at a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and atherosclerosis. Your doctor will consider other factors, such as your family history, weight, and exercise levels, to determine your risk. If your test results are abnormal, your doctor may order a blood glucose test to check for diabetes. They might also order a thyroid function test to determine if your thyroid is underactive. Can test results be wrong?In some cases, cholesterol test results can be wrong. For example, a recent study found that the assumption that VLDL levels are 20 percent of triglyceride levels is less accurate when triglyceride levels exceed 400 mg/dL Improper fasting, medications, human error, and a variety of other factors can cause your test to produce false negative or false positive results. Testing both your HDL and LDL levels typically produces more accurate results than checking your LDL alone. Cholesterol testing is very important if you:
The CDC recommends regular testing every 4 to 6 years for most healthy adults. People with a family history of high cholesterol or other risk factors may need to get tested more often. The CDC also recommends that children, adolescents, and young adults have their cholesterol levels checked once between the ages of 9 and 11, and again between 17 and 21. In some cases, your doctor may ask you to fast before having your cholesterol levels tested. However, according to 2018 guidelines published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, a nonfasting test can accurately detect high cholesterol or lipids in adults over age 20 who aren’t taking medications to lower their lipid levels. If you do need to fast, you should avoid eating or drinking anything other than water for 9 to 12 hours before your test. Before your test, you should also tell your doctor about:
If you’re taking medications that could increase your cholesterol levels, such as birth control pills, your doctor may ask you to stop taking them a few days before your test. To check your cholesterol levels, your doctor will need to get a sample of your blood. You will probably have your blood drawn in the morning, sometimes after fasting since the night before. A blood test is an outpatient procedure. It takes only a few minutes and is relatively painless. It’s usually performed at a diagnostic lab. In some cases, it can also be performed during a regular doctor visit, at a local pharmacy, or even at home. Walk-in clinic rates usually cost anywhere from $50 to $100. Cholesterol testing at a local pharmacy can cost $5 to $25. An at-home test can cost anywhere from $15 to $25, while tests that need to be shipped to a lab can average from $75 to $200. If you have health insurance, cholesterol tests that are ordered by your doctor will likely be fully or partially covered by your health insurance plan. There are very few risks associated with having your blood drawn for a cholesterol test. You may feel slightly faint or have some soreness or pain at the site where your blood was drawn. There’s also a very slight risk of infection at the puncture site. The reliability of home cholesterol tests can vary between brands. The reliability can also be affected by how well you follow the test instructions. In a 2017 study, researchers found that two point-of-care lipid testing devices were relatively accurate and operated within the industry standards. This means that:
In a 2021 study, researchers analyzed the performance of five types of commercially available home cholesterol tests. The researchers found that the Roche Accutrend Plus test had an excellent performance, but that several of the other products had poor accuracy and diagnostic ability. The researchers concluded that better regulation and standardization are needed for at-home cholesterol tests. For the most reliable results, laboratory testing may still be the best option, especially if you have risk factors for high cholesterol. High cholesterol can be treated with lifestyle changes and medication. Lowering your LDL may help reduce your risk of heart conditions and other related issues. To help lower your bad cholesterol levels:
Your doctor may put you on a “therapeutic lifestyle changes” or TLC diet. With this meal plan, only 7 percent of your daily calories should come from saturated fat. It also requires you to get less than 200 mg of cholesterol from your food each day. Some foods may help your digestive tract absorb less cholesterol. For example, your doctor may encourage you to eat more:
If changing your lifestyle habits alone isn’t enough to lower your cholesterol, your doctor may recommend taking medications, such as statins. These medications help lower your LDL levels. Learn more about lowering your cholesterol here. A cholesterol test can measure levels of cholesterol and fats in your blood to assess your risk of cardiovascular disease. Most healthy adults should get their cholesterol levels tested at least every 5 years. People with a family history or at an increased risk of high cholesterol should get tested more often. If you do have high cholesterol, your doctor can work with you to create a treatment plan to get your cholesterol levels into a healthy range. Treatment for high cholesterol usually consists of some combination of dietary changes, increased exercise, smoking cessation, and medication. |