Lipid panel
Also written: Cholesterol / lipid profile
What it measures
A group of blood fat measures: total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides.
Why it is ordered
Used in overall cardiovascular risk assessment, read together with blood pressure, age and family history rather than alone.
How to prepare
Some laboratories require fasting, others do not. Ask before you go.
Units
mg/dL ↔ mmol/L (cholesterol chia 38,67; triglyceride chia 88,57) — convert here
What to ask
- What is my overall risk, not just this number
- Which lifestyle change would matter most for me
- When should this be repeated
This page does not include reference ranges and does not say whether your number is high or low. Reference ranges differ between laboratories and between people — read yours on your own report, with your clinician.