Lipid Panel

Overview:

Cholesterol is a fat the body uses to build cells and produce hormones. How it is carried in the blood matters as much as the total amount. LDL transports cholesterol to the tissues, and higher levels are associated with fatty deposits building up in artery walls. HDL carries cholesterol back to the liver. Triglycerides are a separate type of fat that can rise with excess calories, alcohol and poor blood sugar control. The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL combines several of these into one figure. These measurements are used together, alongside factors such as blood pressure, age and family history, to estimate cardiovascular risk.

Categories:

Heart

Biomarkers:

7 biomarkers