Cholesterol package fat profile Chol total, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides
In this package:
- Cholesterol - the biggest contributor to cardiovascular disease
- Splitting of HDL and LDL cholesterol - Cholesterol is made up of good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL)
- Tryglicerides - Incorporated fat content
Cholesterol plays an important role in the body in building tissues and organs and in the production of certain hormones and bile acids. A small part of all cholesterol is found in the blood in the form of fat particles, so-called lipoproteins. The desired amount of cholesterol is 5.0 mmol/l or lower. Here the risk of cardiovascular disease is not increased. With a cholesterol between 5 mmol/l and 6.5 mmol/l, the risk of cardiovascular disease is slightly increased. A cholesterol above 6.5 mmol/l increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Based on a lipid profile and other tests, the cause of the high cholesterol can be further investigated.
LDL cholesterol
Cholesterol is formed in the liver. 70-80% of LDL is absorbed in the liver, adrenal glands and gonads (testes and ovaries). The LDL that remains in the bloodstream is eventually taken up by cells that can cause fatigue of the vessel wall. LDL cholesterol is also called bad cholesterol because too much LDL increases the risk of heart attack. In most labs, LDL is calculated by Triglycerides and Cholosterol, but in ours, LDL is also measured separately.
HDL Cholesterol
HDL provides transport of "excess" cholesterol from cells back to the liver (reversed cholesterol transport). HDL is formed in the liver, after which it enters the blood circulation and absorbs cholesterol from the cells. Cholesterol is removed from HDL in the liver. In the liver, cholesterol can be removed from the body with the bile. HDL is also called good cholesterol, because an increased concentration of HDL is associated with a reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The role of HDL is more complex, it also plays a role in inflammation, infection and more processes.
Cholesterol ratio
In general, one can remember the 3-4-5 rule. The LDL cholesterol lower than 3, the cholesterol ratio lower than 4 (divide the result total cholesterol by the result HDL) and total cholesterol lower than 5.
Triglycerides
The test measures the amount of triglycerides in blood. Triglycerides form the fat supply in the body and are usually stored in fat tissue.
Some of the triglycerides circulate in the blood to fuel the muscles. After a meal, blood contains more triglycerides because they are then transported from the intestine (food intake) to the adipose tissue (fat storage). Therefore, the determination of triglycerides should only be performed if a meal has not been consumed shortly before.
