This test is performed to determine if your blood glucose level is within healthy ranges; to screen for, diagnose, and monitor hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, diabetes, andpre-diabetes.
A lipid profile measures total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. It is usually ordered as part of an annual exam or if there is specific concern about CVD, especially coronary artery disease. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that individuals age twenty and over have a fasting lipoprotein profile every five years.
HDL/LDL RATIO VALUES
Risk level
Men
Women
Very Low Risk
3.4
3.3
Low Risk
4.0
3.8
Average Risk
5.0
4.5
Moderate Risk
9.5
7.0
High Risk
>23
>11
SOURCE : National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
A lipid profile should be done after a nine- to twelve-hour fast without food, liquids, or medication. If fasting is not possible, the values for total cholesterol and HDL-C may still be useful. If total cholesterol is 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) or higher, or HDL-C is less than 40 mg/dl, the individual will need to have a follow-up lipoprotein profile done to determine LDL-C and triglyceride levels.
The lipid profile may include the ratio of cholesterol to HDL. This ratio is sometimes used in place of total blood cholesterol. The ratio is obtained by dividing the HDL cholesterol level by the total cholesterol. For example, if a person has total cholesterol of 200 mg/dl and an HDL cholesterol level of 50 mg/dl, the ratio is 4:1. The goal is to keep the ratio below 5:1, and optimally at 3.5:1.
