Operating Since 2001

Cholesterol - Lipid Panel

$49.00

What does a Lipid Panel do?
The information from this panel may help assess your risk of heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease through several tests designed to evaluate your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Follow these simple steps to order: 1.  Select a lab panel 2.  Log in, or register if you are a new customer 3.  Complete the free online medical consultation 4.  Checkout
5.  Download and print your lab requisition form which you will receive by email (within 24 hours) 6.  Proceed to any LabCorp facility (visit www.labcorp.com to locate a facility near you) with your lab requisition Form 7.  Log in to your KwikMed.com account in 3-5 days to receive your lab results

Lab Panels may also be ordered by calling 1-877-594-5633.  See our Contact Us section for Customer Service hours.

How is the test performed?

Blood is drawn at the lab test facility.
 

Cholesterol, total
A total cholesterol test is a measure of the cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. Cholesterol is a soft, fatty, wax like substance known as “lipids” which is found in all body cells. While your body needs cholesterol to work properly, too much of it can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease. Elevated cholesterol is a controllable risk factor for coronary heart disease. The risk of heart attack begins to rise as the total cholesterol level passes 140. According to the American Heart Association, individuals with cholesterol levels greater than 250 mg/dl have 3 times the risk of heart attack as those whose levels are below 200 mg/dl.
 

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
High Density Lipoprotein is commonly known as the “good” cholesterol because it removes excess cholesterol from your cells and the walls of your arteries and then transports the cholesterol back to your liver for disposal. People with high levels of HDL may have less risk of heart disease. HDLs are composed of high levels of protein and low amounts of fat. HDL may actually slow or even reverse the development of atherosclerosis.
 

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
LDL is commonly known as the “bad” cholesterol because too much LDL in the blood can clog you arteries. Low density lipoproteins are composed of mostly cholesterol (roughly 75%). The majority of the cholesterol in your blood is found in LDL. Certain levels of LDL in your blood is normal and healthy because LDL are responsible for delivering cholesterol to the parts of your body that need it, but excess LDL can cause a buildup of cholesterol in the lining of arteries. The medical term for this process is atherosclerosis.
 

Triglycerides
Triglycerides are fats in the blood responsible for providing energy to the cells of the body. While your body produces some Triglycerides, they also come from the food you eat. Your body uses the calories from the food for immediate energy, but the leftover calories are turned into triglycerides and stored in fat cells for later use. Typically, if you consume more calories than your body needs, it can lead to a high triglyceride level. Triglycerides combine with cholesterol and protein to form lipoproteins. For example, there will be high levels of triglycerides to be processed by your body if you have a diet high in saturated fats; therefore the body produces more low density lipoproteins. The higher level of LDLs and total cholesterol increases your risk of atherosclerosis.
 

Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)
While lipoproteins are made of cholesterol, triglycerides, and proteins, of the three substances, very low density lipoprotein contains a large amount of triglycerides and very little protein. The main purpose of VLDL is to distribute the triglycerides produced by your liver. VLDL is also considered a “Bad” protein because it helps cholesterol build on the walls of arteries. Increased levels of be associated with higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

What are normal results for this test?

mg/dL = milligrams per deciliter

*The ideal values for patients with known coronary artery disease are different from those patients without coronary artery disease.

Cholesterol - Lipid Panel