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Lipid profile

 

Cholesterol is a type of lipid, which is a waxy substance that your liver produces.  It's vital in building new cells.  But high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease and strokes. With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels

 

A lipid profile or  lipid panel test measures 5 different types of lipids in your blood: 

  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: This is the type of cholesterol that’s known as “bad cholesterol.” It can collect in your blood vessels and increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: This is the type of cholesterol that’s known as “good cholesterol.” It helps decrease the buildup of LDL in your blood vessels.

  • Triglycerides: This is a type of fat from the food we eat. Excess amounts of triglycerides in your blood are associated with cardiovascular disease and pancreatic inflammation

  • Total cholesterol: This is your overall cholesterol level — the combination of LDL-C, VLDL-C and HDL-C.

  • Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol: This is a type of cholesterol that’s usually present in very low amounts when the blood sample is a fasting samples since it’s mostly comes from food you’ve recently eaten. An increase in this type of cholesterol in a fasting sample may be a sign of abnormal lipid metabolism

If you have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, you may be recommended frequent screening through the use of a lipid panel to try to catch elevated cholesterol levels before you have symptoms. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include:

  • Being over age 45 if you’re a man or over 50 if you’re a women

  • Having a high cholesterol result on a previous test

  • Smoking cigarettes

  • Having obesity

  • Not getting enough physical activity

  • Having high blood pressure (hypertension)

  • Having diabetes or prediabetes

  • Having a family history of early heart disease

Test components:

  • Triglycerides
  • Cholesterol
  • HDL cholesterol
  • HDL % of cholesterol
  • LDL cholesterol
  • Non-HDL cholesterol

 

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FAQs?

Still have questions?

You are not alone, here are some of our most asked questions.

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I don't have any symptoms but should I get the test?
Cholesterol can often build up before noticeable symptoms develop, so if you are in the risk categories you should talk to your GP about getting tested.
How accurate is the test?
We use one of the country's leading labs (also used by primary care providers, hospitals and government programs) to process your results.
How do I collect my sample?
Please follow the sample collection advice in the packaging to maximise the accuracy of your results. To reduce the return transit time, please do not collect or return samples on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
When will I get my results?
The lab processing time is slightly different from test to test, but you’ll usually have your test results back with you 2 days after we receive your sample.
Pick your test
Pick the right test for you and we'll deliver it straight to your door, all in a handy letterbox sized package.
Collect sample
The test kit will guide you through how and the best time to perform a finger prick blood test. Simply collect your sample and used the pre-paid box to send back to our laboratory for testing.
See your results
Our accredited lab will perform the test, and upload your results to your dashboard, with expert advice on then best next steps. Usually within 2 days or receiving your sample.
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