Test Details & Preparation

• The lipid profile is done to assess one’s cardiac risk which in turn helps determine an individual's risk of heart disease and to help make decisions about what treatment may be best if there is borderline or high risk. A lipid profile typically includes, Total cholesterol, High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and Triglycerides.


• The lipid profile is recommended for healthy adults with no risk factors for heart disease at least once every four to six years.


• The lipid profile is recommended for all children once between the ages of 9 and 11 and again between 17 and 21. Frequent screening is suggested for children and youths who are at an increased risk of developing heart disease.


• Children below 2 years should not be tested for lipid profile.


• Blood sample for lipid profile is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm. Sometimes a drop of blood is collected by puncturing the skin on a fingertip. This finger-stick sample is typically used when a lipid profile is being measured on a portable testing device.


• Normally, fasting for 9-12 hours before having the blood sample drawn is required only water is permitted. However, some laboratories offer non-fasting lipid profiles. In particular, children and teens may have testing done without fasting. Follow any other instructions given.


• Healthy lipid levels help to maintain a healthy heart and lower the risk of heart attack or stroke. A doctor will take into consideration the results of each component of a lipid profile plus other risk factors to help determine a person's overall risk of coronary heart disease, whether treatment is necessary and, if so, which type of treatment.


• Unhealthy lipid levels or the presence of other risk factors such as age, family history, cigarette smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure, may mean that the person tested requires treatment.

Diseases for which this test is required