Cholesterol is an important biological molecule that makes up part of your cell membranes and also serves as a hormone precursor. Cholesterol is characterized as a fatty, waxy substance that is naturally synthesized by your liver. Fatty foods, especially meats and animal-based products, like dairy and eggs, are also significant contributors to your overall cholesterol levels. There are two major types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein, the "bad" cholesterol. An unhealthy balance of the two can lead to serious health complications, including heart attack and stroke. You should have your cholesterol levels checked at least every five years after the age of 20, and more frequently if you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol or have other high risk factors.
Step 1
Contact your doctor to schedule a routine physical or wellness exam. Indicate that you would like to have your blood cholesterol checked at the time or your appointment. Ask about any precautions you should be aware of before your exam.
Step 2
Get your blood drawn by a trained nurse or a phlebotomist at your appointment. The technician will insert a needle into a vein in your arm and collect between 5 and 10 cc of blood. The technician will label the samples and send them to a laboratory that specializes in blood diagnostics or cholesterol tests.
Step 3
Return to your doctor for the results. When the lab has finished analyzing your blood, it produces report of your results and provides it to you and your doctor. Depending on the tests your doctor ordered, she will tell you the results and how they relate to your health. The test will most likely provide you with the amounts of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Step 4
Ask your doctor to interpret the results. Cholesterol is measured in mg/dL, and normal levels of total cholesterol should be 200 mg/dL or lower. Total cholesterol of 200 to 239 mg/dL is considered borderline high and anything over 240 mg/dL is defined as high cholesterol. LDL cholesterol levels can vary, but those who are at risk of heart disease should try to target less that 70 mg/dL. Normal levels of LDL should be between 100 and 129 mg/dL, while levels higher than 130 mg/dL are considered to be borderline high to very high. HDL levels should be above 70 mg/dL, while levels that are lower than 50 mg/dL in women and 40 mg/dL in men are considered bad. Triglycerides, which is another fatty substance similar to cholesterol, is usually part of the cholesterol test. Triglyceride levels that are greater than 200 mg/dL are considered to be high, while levels that are lower than 150 mg/dL are good.
Step 5
Discuss the results with your doctor to formulate an approach. If your numbers are good, there is not much you need to worry about. If your levels are high, you may need to make some lifestyle changes, like healthier eating and increasing exercise and activity. Additionally, your doctor may prescribe some medication to help bring unhealthy cholesterol levels down.
Tips and Warnings
- Make sure to follow all instructions before your blood test. Cholesterol blood tests are typically done after you have fasted for at least 12 hours. This means no food or drink, except water, for 12 hours before the technician draws your blood.
- Don't panic if your test results come back unfavorable. There are many causes of high cholesterol and many ways to get it under control. Always follow up with your doctor to discuss your results.
