Cholesterol Testing: An Overview
Cholesterol testing is the only way to find out if you have
high cholesterol. You can have high cholesterol for many years without feeling its effects. In fact, most people with high cholesterol feel no different than those without it.
According to recent guidelines, a person should go for a fasting cholesterol test every five years. If you have any
risk factors for heart disease, you should have testing for high cholesterol performed more frequently.
Several
types of cholesterol tests are available. Each test measures different components of cholesterol and fats in the blood, including:
Some forms of cholesterol testing, like a lipid profile done at the doctor's office, will look at all four components. Other methods, such as most
home cholesterol tests, only look at total cholesterol. Some tests also provide a
cholesterol ratio or very low density lipoprotein (
VLDL) as part of their results.
Testing Cholesterol: The Lipoprotein Profile
Most healthcare providers recommend a form of cholesterol testing known as a "lipoprotein profile" or "lipid profile" to determine your
cholesterol levels. This type of cholesterol testing is performed after a 9- to 12-hour fast and measures:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL
- HDL
- Triglycerides.
