A Lipid profile test includes the following tests. We have included the specific indicators along with what each measure denotes:
Cholesterol Test- Total: The complete cholesterol test measures the four main types of fats or lipids in your body. These include:
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Total cholesterol
Triglycerides
HDL Cholesterol Test: The HDL cholesterol test measures the levels of ‘good’ cholesterol in your blood. When your body has higher levels of HDL-C, it is associated with a lower risk of developing the artery-clogging plaque that is a contributor to heart diseases.
LDL Cholesterol: The LDL cholesterol test measures the level of ‘bad’ cholesterol in your blood. When your body has high levels of LDL, it puts you at risk of cholesterol build-up in the arteries and may lead to strokes and heart attacks.
LDL/HDL Ratio: This lipid profile test measures the ratio of the ‘good’ cholesterol to ‘bad’ cholesterol in your body. A higher ratio between the two indicates a higher risk of cardiovascular problems.
Non-HDL Cholesterol: This lipid profile test measures your total cholesterol value minus the HDL cholesterol. This non-HDL cholesterol test gives a better indication of your predisposition to heart issues than the LDL cholesterol test.
TC/HDL Cholesterol Test: This lipid panel test measures the ratio of cholesterol in your body. These values are arrived at by dividing the total cholesterol by your levels of HDL or the ‘good’ cholesterol. A higher TC/HDL ratio indicates a higher risk of cardiovascular problems.
Triglycerides Test: The triglycerides test measures the level of these fats in your blood. A high level of these fats in the triglycerides test indicates a higher risk of heart issues.
VLDL Cholesterol: This lipid panel test measures VLDL, which is a type of bad cholesterol that leads to a buildup on the walls of the arteries. High levels of VLDL indicate a higher predisposition to heart problems.
Along with these Lipid profile tests, some of the following tests are also recommended that give you a better idea about your health and help in preventing cardiovascular issues. These include:
Diabetes Screening (FBS, HBA1C): This test is recommended for people who have a history of heart diseases, obesity, or diabetes. This test includes the Glucose Fasting (FBS) test that determines the levels of glucose in the body and Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1C), which is used to assess a person’s predisposition to diabetes and the average amount of glucose in the blood over the last two to three months.
Thyroid Screening (T3, T4, TSH): This test checks for the levels of T3, T4, and TSH, which are extremely critical hormones when it comes to the optimum functioning of the body. The TSH test is done to screen for and diagnose disorders related to the thyroid gland. The T4 test detects the levels of thyroxine, also known as T4, in your blood. Severely high or low levels indicate the existence of thyroid disease. The T3 test is done to detect how well is the thyroid gland functioning. This test also helps ascertain if your thyroid treatment is giving you satisfactory results or if t needs to be altered.
Liver Function Test (LFT): This test assesses the presence of harmful toxins in your body along with enzymes and proteins in your blood. This test looks for the levels of Albumin, Alanine Aminotransferase (SGPT), Albumin/ Globulin Ratio, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (SGOT), Bilirubin Direct, Bilirubin Indirect, Bilirubin Total, Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), Globulin, Protein Total, and SGPT/ SGOT Ratio.
Kidney Function Test (KFT): This test is critical for assessing if your kidney is functioning optimally along with the production of vitamin D, Red Blood Cells, and hormones that are responsible for regulating your blood pressure. This test includes measuring your Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), BUN/ Creatinine Ratio, Calcium, Chloride, Creatinine, Phosphorus Serum, Sodium, Uric Acid, Urea, and Urea/ Creatinine Ratio.
Complete Haemogram (CBC+ESR): This test is essential to assess your susceptibility to various infections and diseases. It measures the levels of your Absolute Eosinophil Count, Absolute Neutrophil Count, Basophils, Eosinophils, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Haematocrit, Haemoglobin, Lymphocytes, Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Platelet Volume, Monocytes, Neutrophils, Platelet Count, Platelet Distribution Width, Red Cell Distribution Width, Total Leucocytes Count (WBC), Absolute Basophils Count, Absolute Lymphocytes Count, Absolute Monocyte Count, RDW-CV.
Vitamin Screening Test: This test checks for the levels of Vitamin B12 and vitamin D in your body.
Other important tests that you should get done include
Anaemia Test and
Ferritin Test