LIPID PANEL, STANDARD

LIPID PANEL; Cholesterol, HDL;Fasting Lipids;Cholesterol, LDL;

Lipids are a group of fats and fat-like substances that are important constituents of cells and sources of energy. A lipid panel measures the level of specific lipids in the blood. Two important lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides, are transported in the blood by lipoproteins (also called lipoprotein particles). Each type of lipoprotein contains a combination of cholesterol, triglyceride, protein, and phospholipid molecules. 

The particles measured with a lipid panel are classified by their density into high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL).

A lipid panel typically includes:

• Total cholesterol—measures all the cholesterol in all the lipoprotein particles
• High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)—measures the cholesterol in HDL particles; often called "good cholesterol" because HDL-C takes up excess cholesterol and carries it to the liver for removal.
• Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)—calculates or measures the cholesterol in LDL particles; often called "bad cholesterol" because it deposits excess cholesterol in walls of blood vessels, which can contribute to atherosclerosis. Usually, the amount of LDL-C is calculated using the results of total cholesterol, HDL-C, and triglycerides.
• Triglycerides—measures all the triglycerides in all the lipoprotein particles; most is in the very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL).

Some other information may be reported as part of the lipid panel. These parameters are calculated from the results of the tests listed above.

• Very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C)—calculated from triglycerides/5; this  formula is based on the typical composition of VLDL particles.
• Non-HDL-C—calculated from total cholesterol minus HDL-C
• Cholesterol/HDL ratio—calculated ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-C

An extended profile (or advanced lipid testing) may also include low-density lipoprotein particle number or concentration (LDL-P). This test measures the number of LDL particles, rather than measuring the amount of LDL-cholesterol. It is thought that this value may more accurately reflect heart disease risk in certain people.