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| Lipid Profile |
Profiles
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Lipid Profile
The lipid profile includes cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and various risk classifications for coronary heart disease (CAD), cholesterol to HDL ratio, and LDL/HDL ratio.
Cholesterol Total cholesterol is used to measure lipid status and metabolic disorders. Cholesterol is necessary for life, but is also associated with atherosclerosis. It is used to make hormones, vitamin D, and cell membranes. About 2/3rds of the body’s cholesterol in made by the liver and 1/3rd obtained through the diet. Increased cholesterol is found in high fat diets, primary hypercholesterolemia, the nephritic syndrome, hypothyroidism, primary biliary cirrhosis and in some cases of diabetes. Low levels have been found in malnutrition, malabsorption, severe liver disease, polycythemia vera, etc. The method is by spectrophotometry. Normal values are based on age. The "normal or reference ranges" has been lowered in recent years to combat the rapid increase in heart disease. In people under 19 years of age, the normal value is less than 170 mg/dL. In people over 19 years of age, the normal value is less than 200 mg/dL. Triglycerides Like cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) are used to measure lipid status and metabolic disorders. A patient must absolutely be fasting for an accurate measurement. Triglycerides are the major component of chylomicrons and VLDL, two types of lipoproteins. They may be elevated in hypothyroidism, diabetes, chronic liver and kidney diseases, pancreatitis, some genetic types of hyperlipidemia, alcohol abuse, estrogen (pregnancy or oral contraceptive pills), and certain medications (thiazide diuretics). The triglyceride level is used to calculate the LDL, however, to get a correct answer, the TG must be 400 mg/dL or less. A turbid serum specimen indicates a TG level of around 400 mg/dL. The method is by spectrophotometry. The ATP III guidelines recommends:
HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) HDL is called the "good cholesterol". It tends to carry cholesterol away from tissues. All other risk factors considered, a high HDL is a good risk factor. The method is by spectrophotometry. The ATP III Guideline recommends:
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein)-Calculated LDL cholesterol is called the "bad cholesterol". It is part of the lipid profile and is one of the more important “risk factors” for atherosclerotic (CHD) disease. LDL is the cholesterol component that binds to liver receptors and tends to control the formation of cholesterol. The method is by calculation using the Friedewald formula. The formula can only be used when the TG are less than 400 mg/dL. LDL core lipids contains about 10% TG and 45% cholesterol. The ATP III Guidelines recommend:
Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) VLDL is a type of lipoprotein and helps carry triglycerides to the liver and other parts of the body. Density refers to the amount of lipids per lipoprotein versus proteins. Core lipids in chylomicrons contain about 85% triglycerides and 5% cholesterol, VLDL contains about 60% TG and 15% cholesterol. Elevated VLDL levels are found in Type IV hyperlipidemias. The VLDL can be obtained by dividing the triglyceride level by 5. If the TG is 150 mg/dL, the VLDL would be 30 mg/dL. This only if the TG are less than 400 mg/dL. The method is by spectrophotometry. Selected References:
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