Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: Fast for 12 to 14 hours before collection, and maintain a stable diet for 2 to 3 weeks prior
- Turnaround: 1-2 business days. May take longer due to weather, holidays, or lab delays.
What's Included
Lipid Panel
- Cholesterol, Total: Measures the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood, a key marker of heart health.
- HDL Cholesterol: High-density lipoprotein, often called "good" cholesterol, carries cholesterol away from cells back to the liver.
- LDL Cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein, often called "bad" cholesterol, can deposit cholesterol on artery walls.
- LDL Chol Calc (NIH): A calculated value for LDL cholesterol.
- Non HDL Cholesterol: A measure of cholesterol carried outside of HDL particles.
- Triglycerides: Surplus fats in your bloodstream that provide energy to the body.
- VLDL Cholesterol Cal: A calculated value reflecting very low-density lipoprotein, which carries the highest amount of triglycerides (LabCorp only).
- Chol/HDLC Ratio: A calculated ratio comparing total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol.
Benefits
- Gives you a clear snapshot of your total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol.
- Includes triglyceride levels alongside your cholesterol results.
- Provides calculated ratios to add context to your numbers.
- Supports ongoing monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors.
- Convenient blood draw with results available online.
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults interested in understanding their cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Individuals with a family history of heart disease at an early age.
- People managing risk factors like high blood pressure, smoking, or a sedentary lifestyle.
- Those with diabetes or prediabetes who want to monitor cardiovascular-related markers.
- Individuals tracking the effectiveness of lifestyle or treatment changes over time.
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 the different types of fat in your blood, including total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and VLDL cholesterol (LabCorp only), along with calculated ratios like Non-HDL Cholesterol and Chol/HDLC Ratio. Together, these markers give you a broader picture of your cardiovascular health rather than relying on any single number. This panel is a screening and monitoring tool and does not diagnose any condition on its own.
2. Who should consider this test, and when should I order it?
This panel is useful for anyone who wants a general look at their cholesterol and triglyceride levels, particularly if you have risk factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease. It's a good option for routine screening, monitoring known risk factors over time, following up on previous results, or tracking the effect of lifestyle changes you've made.
3. Do I need to fast before this test?
Yes. You should fast for 12 to 14 hours before your blood draw and maintain a stable diet for 2 to 3 weeks prior to testing.
4. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available in 1 to 2 days, though this may take longer due to weather, holidays, or lab delays.
5. How do I interpret the results?
Your results include individual biomarker values along with calculated ratios like Non-HDL Cholesterol and Chol/HDLC Ratio. Patterns across these markers, rather than any single value, often provide the most useful context. Your healthcare provider is best positioned to help you understand what your specific results mean for you.
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, you should share them with your healthcare provider. They can help you understand what the results mean in the context of your overall health and determine any appropriate next steps.
7. How often should I get tested?
There isn't a single schedule that fits everyone. How often you test should be based on your individual health profile and risk factors, as directed by your healthcare provider.
8. Why does regular monitoring matter?
Checking markers like cholesterol and triglycerides on a regular basis helps you stay aware of changes over time and supports more informed conversations with your healthcare provider about your cardiovascular health, rather than relying on a single result in isolation.
Pre-test preparation
Maintain a stable diet for 2 to 3 weeks before your blood draw, and fast for 12 to 14 hours before specimen collection.
