Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: Not required. If your healthcare provider requests a fasting lipid panel, fast for 9–12 hours (water only). Maintain a stable diet for 2–3 weeks before blood collection.
- Turnaround: 1-2 business days. May take longer due to weather, holidays, or lab delays.
What's Included
Lipid Panel
- Cholesterol, Total: Measures the total amount of cholesterol circulating in your blood.
- HDL Cholesterol: High-density lipoprotein, often called "good" cholesterol, carries cholesterol away from cells to the liver.
- LDL Cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (calculated), often called "bad" cholesterol, can deposit on artery walls.
- Triglycerides: A type of fat in your blood that supplies energy to the body.
- VLDL Cholesterol (calculation): Carries the highest amount of triglycerides and contributes to artery buildup. (LabCorp only)
- Non-HDL Cholesterol: Reflects all cholesterol types considered less favorable for heart health.
- Chol/HDLC Ratio: A calculated ratio comparing total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol.
Hemoglobin A1c
- Hemoglobin A1c: Reflects your average blood glucose level over approximately 12 weeks.
Benefits
- Evaluates key markers linked to cardiovascular health.
- Tracks average blood glucose trends over time.
- Supports monitoring for people managing diabetes.
- Helps assess how lifestyle or treatment changes affect cholesterol.
- Provides a combined view of lipid and glucose patterns.
Who Is This Test For?
- People wanting to monitor cardiovascular risk factors.
- Individuals managing diabetes or prediabetes.
- People tracking the effectiveness of a treatment plan.
- Individuals with a family history of heart disease.
- People with lifestyle factors linked to cardiovascular risk.
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 measures fats in your blood, including total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and VLDL (LabCorp only), alongside your average glucose level over the past 12 weeks. Together, these markers help build a picture of cardiovascular risk factors and glucose trends over time. This panel does not diagnose any condition on its own.
2. Who should consider this panel, and when should I order it?
This panel may be useful if you're managing diabetes or prediabetes, tracking cardiovascular risk factors, or interested in monitoring cholesterol and glucose patterns together. It also fits general screening, ongoing monitoring, or a follow-up check after starting a new treatment or lifestyle change.
3. Do I need to fast before this test?
Yes. You should maintain a stable diet for 2 to 3 weeks before collection, fast for 9-12 hours prior to your blood draw, and stop biotin 72 hours before collection.
4. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available within 1 to 2 days, though timing may take longer due to weather, holidays, or lab delays.
5. How do I interpret the results?
Your results show individual values for each biomarker, but patterns across multiple markers are often more meaningful than any single value on its own. Reviewing your results alongside your healthcare provider can help put them into context for your overall health.
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?
Share any results that fall outside the expected range with your healthcare provider. They can help you understand what the results mean for you and whether any next steps are appropriate.
7. How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your individual health profile and goals. Follow-up testing as directed by your healthcare provider based on your risk factors and any treatment plan in place.
8. Why does early detection matter?
Monitoring cholesterol and glucose trends over time may support earlier awareness of changes in these markers, giving you and your healthcare provider more information to guide ongoing care. This panel is one part of monitoring overall health and is not a guarantee of any specific outcome.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting required. Continue taking your prescribed medications unless your healthcare provider instructs otherwise. You may eat and drink normally before your blood draw. If you choose to fast for your lipid panel, fast for 9–12 hours (water only). Morning collection is recommended if fasting. Maintain a stable diet for 2 to 3 weeks before blood collection.
