What does a lipid panel test for?

Sandra Hardee, MD

Occupational Medicine

During your regular physical exam with your primary care doctor, you might be asked  to have  bloodwork done to evaluate different aspects of your overall health. Some of these blood tests are part of the regular health screenings you should undergo, while others may be added especially if you are at a higher risk for things like diabetes, heart disease or stroke, concerns about your liver or kidneys or other medical conditions. One of these tests is a lipid panel.

What does a lipid panel test for? Sandra Hardee, MD, explained what you need to know about your lipid panel results and when to expect a follow-up.

What are lipids?

“The term lipids refers to the fatty compounds within your body that help to keep it working normally. They’re part of your cellular membrane, helping move or store energy, absorbing certain vitamins and helping to make hormones,” said Dr. Hardee.

Lipids are fatty or waxy, and they don’t dissolve in water and can’t move within your blood on their own. They combine with certain proteins to create what are called lipoproteins, which are able to move more freely through your body and help the lipids to perform their functions.

What does a lipid panel test for?

“A lipid panel measures many different types of cholesterol molecules and their ratios,” said Dr. Hardee. “Certain cholesterols and triglycerides at high levels can be harmful and put you at a higher risk of stroke or heart attack.  The best way to find out if your levels are high is to undergo this basic lipid panel test.”

A lipid panel will measure your:

• Total cholesterol levels: A diet high in fat can cause higher levels of cholesterol, although a family history may make you more likely to have higher cholesterol regardless of diet.
• Triglycerides: Carbohydrates (or sugars) are used by the body for quick energy, but when they aren’t burned off, they end up stored as triglycerides.
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol: HDL cholesterol is sometimes called “the healthy cholesterol” and helps prevent harmful fat buildup on artery walls.
• LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol: LDL is often known as the “bad cholesterol,” as it builds up on the inside of artery walls, narrowing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart over time.
• Additional subgroups of lipids and ratios of certain lipids.  Sometimes a more extensive lipid panel is ordered, and this additional information can help doctors develop a better picture of your risk. 

The results on your lipid panel will tell you what your individual level of these lipids is, as well as where it falls under the spectrum of low, normal or high.

What does it mean if your lipid panel results are considered too high?

 “Since different lipids perform different functions, the meaning of these results can be different depending on which result you’re looking at,” said Dr. Hardee.

Triglycerides, for example, ideally have a value of less than 150 mg/dL. A high triglyceride level combined with low HDL or high LDL cholesterol levels also indicates potential atherosclerosis, where fatty buildup in artery walls increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

“When it comes to LDL cholesterol, we’d like to see a value of less than 100 mg/dL,” said Dr. Hardee. “A low rate is good for heart health. If yours comes back higher than normal, a diet low in saturated and trans fats, but higher in fiber, can help to decrease LDL cholesterol. Diets that limit meat consumption to fish or chicken, may also help to help lower your LDL value.”

 On the other hand, an ideal value for HDL cholesterol is going to be higher than 40 mg/DL in men and 50mg/DL in women, since HDL cholesterol helps to prevent harmful fat from building up on artery walls. Type 2 diabetes, genetic factors or even use of certain beta blockers, anabolic steroids or other medications can lower your HDL cholesterol levels.  Exercise can help increase your HDL levels.

Will my doctor follow up with me about my test results?

“If you’re showing abnormal levels on any part of your lipid panel, your doctor will definitely want to speak with you about what you can do to get those results back within normal values,” said Dr. Hardee. “They may recommend increasing exercise, lifestyle and diet changes, changing current medications or adding a new medication to help control your cholesterol.”