What is a lipid profile?

Everyone has heard it at some point in time or the other. CHOLESTEROL – The word sends a shiver down the spine of some people! Cholesterol and the other lipids discussed below are part of the lipid profile. When your doctor orders for a lipid profile you need to go on an empty stomach and give a blood sample.

Cholesterol is important in the manufacture of hormones, Vitamin D and other important substances in the body. However too much of Cholesterol can be a problem as it tends to clog the arteries in the body, more so the coronary arteries. Cholesterol being a fat cannot mix with blood and needs substances called as Lipoproteins to carry it around in the blood.
LDL-C: Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, is the bad cholesterol and its build up in blood can lead to heart disease and strokes.
HDL-C: High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, the good cholesterol serve to carry excess cholesterol to the liver where cholesterol is metabolized.
Triglycerides are basically fats stored for energy. Too much can block the arteries and cause heart disease and stroke.

A lipid profile measures these four types of fats in the blood.
What should be the ideal levels?
Total Cholesterol: Ideally < 200mg/dL (milligrams per 100 mL of blood) LDL-C: <100 mg/dL Triglycerides: <150mg/dL. HDL-C: Ideally 60mg/dL or higher (this is the good fella!) Based on the lipid profile doctors will suggest treatment options. The simplest and cheapest option is good dietary control. Various medications are available to reduce elevated lipid levels. Remember a bad lipid profile is an independent risk factor for heart disease and strokes. http://latestmedicalupdates.blogspot.com