A lipid panel, also called a lipid profile or a complete cholesterol test, is a blood test used to measure the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. The lipid panel, which separates cholesterol readings into three categories--total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol--can help your doctor make determinations about your heart disease risk based on your cholesterol levels.
Triglycerides
While most of the triglycerides in your body are found in your adipose, or fat, tissue, some triglycerides circulate throughout your bloodstream. If the amount of triglycerides in your blood gets too high, your risk of heart disease increases significantly. Triglyceride levels below 150 mg/dL are considered best. When your triglycerides increase to 150 to 199 mg/dL, they are considered borderline high. Triglycerides of 200 to 499 mg/dL are high and triglycerides that exceed 499 mg/dL are very high. If a lipid panel determines that your triglyceride levels fall into any of the high categories, you should take steps to reduce your numbers.
Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol readings represent the sum of both types of cholesterol: HDL and LDL. As with triglycerides, the lower your total cholesterol reading is, the better. A total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or lower is considered ideal. If your cholesterol falls between 200 and 239 mg/dL, it is categorized as borderline high and total cholesterol of 240 mg/dL and above is high. High total cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease.
LDL Cholesterol
LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol is often referred to as bad cholesterol because it contributes to the formation of plaque on your arteries and increases your risk of developing coronary artery disease. The optimal LDL level for a healthy individual is less than 100 mg/dL. If you have existing heart disease, you should aim to keep your LDL level below 70 mg/dL. While lower numbers are more beneficial, an LDL cholesterol between 100 and 129 mg/dL is considered near optimal. Once your LDL increases to between 130 and 159 mg/dL, it is categorized as borderline high. LDL levels between 160 and 189 mg/dL are high and levels of 190 mg/dL or higher are very high.
HDL Cholesterol
HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is unique in that higher numbers are better. HDL, often referred to as good cholesterol, actually picks up excess cholesterol in your blood and transports it to your liver so that it can be removed from the body. The goal for HDL cholesterol is to increase your numbers. For women, an HDL below 50 mg/dL is considered bad and increases the risk of heart disease. For men, this number drops to 40 mg/dL. An HDL level of 60 mg/dL or higher for both men and women is considered protective against heart disease.
