Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (venous draw)
- Fasting: Fasting for at least 12 hours is recommended. Maintain a stable diet for 2–3 weeks before testing and consult your physician if taking cholesterol-lowering or anti-inflammatory medications.
- Turnaround: 1–2 business days. May take longer due to weather, holidays, or lab delays.
What's Included
Lipid Panel
- Total Cholesterol: Measures the overall cholesterol level in your blood.
- LDL Cholesterol (Calculated): Often called "bad" cholesterol; higher levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
- HDL Cholesterol: Often called "good" cholesterol; supports cardiovascular health.
- Triglycerides: A type of fat in your blood linked to heart health.
- VLDL Cholesterol (Calculated): Estimates cholesterol carried by very low density lipoproteins.
- Non-HDL Cholesterol: Reflects cholesterol carried by all potentially harmful lipoproteins.
- Cholesterol/HDL Ratio: Compares your total cholesterol to your HDL cholesterol.
- LDL/HDL Ratio: Compares your LDL cholesterol to your HDL cholesterol.
Additional Cardiac Risk Markers
- Lipoprotein (a): A genetic marker that can indicate inherited cardiovascular risk.
- C-Reactive Protein, Cardiac (hs-CRP): Detects inflammation that may contribute to cardiovascular risk.
Benefits
- Assess multiple lipid and inflammatory markers in one convenient panel.
- Order online without needing a doctor's referral first.
- Receive results securely through your online portal.
- Support informed conversations with your healthcare provider.
- Track changes in your lipid profile over time.
Who Is This Test For?
- People with a family history of heart disease who want more insight.
- Individuals managing risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity.
- Anyone wanting a broader look at cardiovascular risk markers.
- Those experiencing symptoms like fatigue or shortness of breath who want more information.
- People monitoring their lipid levels while on cholesterol-related treatment.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of this test?
This panel evaluates several markers connected to cardiovascular health, including your lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, VLDL, non-HDL cholesterol, and cholesterol ratios), along with lipoprotein (a) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Together, these markers offer a broader view of lipid balance and inflammation than a single cholesterol reading alone. This panel is intended to support awareness and conversations with your healthcare provider, not to diagnose any condition on its own.
2. Who would benefit from this test, and when should I order it?
This panel may be useful for people who want a fuller picture of their lipid and inflammatory markers, including those with a family history of heart disease or existing risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity. It can also support people who are already monitoring their cardiovascular health or working with a provider on lipid management. You might consider ordering it as part of general cardiovascular screening, to monitor existing risk factors, to follow up on previous lipid results, or alongside guidance from your healthcare provider as part of an ongoing wellness routine.
3. Do I need to fast before this test?
Yes, fasting for at least 12 hours is recommended before this test. Consult your physician if you are taking cholesterol-lowering or anti-inflammatory medications, and do not stop prescribed medication unless instructed by your healthcare provider. Maintaining a stable diet for 2–3 weeks prior to testing may also improve the reliability of your results.
4. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available within 1–2 business days. Turnaround may take longer due to weather, holidays, or lab delays.
5. How do I interpret the results?
Patterns across multiple biomarkers are often more meaningful than any single value on its own. Your results are best reviewed together with your healthcare provider, who can interpret them in the context of your personal health history.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
6. What should I do if my results are abnormal?
If any of your results fall outside the expected range, discuss them with your healthcare provider, who can help you understand what they may mean for you and whether any next steps are appropriate.
7. How often should I get tested, and why does regular monitoring matter?
How often you should repeat this panel depends on your individual health profile and goals, and your healthcare provider can help you determine an appropriate retesting schedule. Understanding your lipid and inflammatory markers over time can support earlier awareness of changes that may be worth discussing with your provider, making regular monitoring a helpful part of an ongoing approach to cardiovascular wellness.
Pre-test preparation
Fasting for at least 12 hours is recommended before this test. Consult your physician if you are taking cholesterol-lowering or anti-inflammatory medications. Maintaining a stable diet for 2–3 weeks prior to testing may improve the reliability of your results.
