Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Does The Following Lipid Profile Report Indicate?
Question: I got my Lipid Profile tested last week. It reads as below
Serum HDL Cholesterol: 64.1
Serum LDL Cholesterol: 116.2
Serum VLDL Cholesterol: 24
Serum Triglycerides: 120
Serum Cholesterol - Total: 293
Now, I have questions as below:
As per some websites and other sources, the total cholesterol is supposed to be HDL+LDL+(20% of Triglycerides), which in my case should have be 204.3 . However, according to the report, it shows as 293. Is the report wrong? or the calculation I spoke wrong? Or is there some other way to calculate Total cholesterol, which has given the no. as 293.
Should I be worried with these no.? As total cholesterol is supposed be below 200...and the no. shows as 293?
Serum HDL Cholesterol: 64.1
Serum LDL Cholesterol: 116.2
Serum VLDL Cholesterol: 24
Serum Triglycerides: 120
Serum Cholesterol - Total: 293
Now, I have questions as below:
As per some websites and other sources, the total cholesterol is supposed to be HDL+LDL+(20% of Triglycerides), which in my case should have be 204.3 . However, according to the report, it shows as 293. Is the report wrong? or the calculation I spoke wrong? Or is there some other way to calculate Total cholesterol, which has given the no. as 293.
Should I be worried with these no.? As total cholesterol is supposed be below 200...and the no. shows as 293?
Brief Answer:
Total Cholesterol includes all the lipid component
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
I have gone your description and understand your concern.
Total cholesterol is basically a measure of all lipid components present like HDL, IDL, LDL, VLDL, Triglycerides and Chylomicrons. Usually in the laboratories, in LIPID PROFILE only HDL, LDL, VLDL, TRIGLYCERIDES are done as they are considered more significant.
So, the difference between your total cholesterol and the addition of the components would be the chylomicron and IDL levels.
Yes, your total cholesterol level is high and the LDL levels are on the border line. I understand that you have changed your lifestyle by being more active. I would like to know since when are you following this and are you following any regular physical exercises.
Here are some tips which will help in reduction of your cholesterol levels:
1. Regular physical exercises: Brisk walking is considered to be best exercise. Follow it everyday for 15 to 30 mins increasing gradually.
2. Diet restrictions: Avoid fatty and oily foods. Go for food items containing more of poly unsaturated fatty acids.
3. Consume more of green leafy vegetables and fruits.
4. Avoid going to bed for atleast 2hrs after having your dinner.
5. Consume plenty of water and fruit juices(min 2 to 3 ltrs/day).
Repeat your Lipid profile after 3 months of following these measures. If the levels still remain high then you might need to start on lipid lowering drugs.
Hope this answers your query. If any further clarifications, will be happy to help you.
Regards.
Total Cholesterol includes all the lipid component
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
I have gone your description and understand your concern.
Total cholesterol is basically a measure of all lipid components present like HDL, IDL, LDL, VLDL, Triglycerides and Chylomicrons. Usually in the laboratories, in LIPID PROFILE only HDL, LDL, VLDL, TRIGLYCERIDES are done as they are considered more significant.
So, the difference between your total cholesterol and the addition of the components would be the chylomicron and IDL levels.
Yes, your total cholesterol level is high and the LDL levels are on the border line. I understand that you have changed your lifestyle by being more active. I would like to know since when are you following this and are you following any regular physical exercises.
Here are some tips which will help in reduction of your cholesterol levels:
1. Regular physical exercises: Brisk walking is considered to be best exercise. Follow it everyday for 15 to 30 mins increasing gradually.
2. Diet restrictions: Avoid fatty and oily foods. Go for food items containing more of poly unsaturated fatty acids.
3. Consume more of green leafy vegetables and fruits.
4. Avoid going to bed for atleast 2hrs after having your dinner.
5. Consume plenty of water and fruit juices(min 2 to 3 ltrs/day).
Repeat your Lipid profile after 3 months of following these measures. If the levels still remain high then you might need to start on lipid lowering drugs.
Hope this answers your query. If any further clarifications, will be happy to help you.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Thanks for the reply.
Please let me know the ideal level for chylomicron and IDL levels. What is the test name (like lipid profile test) to know the level for these components?
Do chylomicron and IDL fall in the GOOD or BAD category of cholesterol?
Lifestyle change is in terms of being more active:- I am running (5-7 km) twice a week on weekdays and playing 1 hour badminton on Saturdays and Sundays.
Please let me know the ideal level for chylomicron and IDL levels. What is the test name (like lipid profile test) to know the level for these components?
Do chylomicron and IDL fall in the GOOD or BAD category of cholesterol?
Lifestyle change is in terms of being more active:- I am running (5-7 km) twice a week on weekdays and playing 1 hour badminton on Saturdays and Sundays.
Brief Answer:
Difficult to quantify chylomicron and IDL levels
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow up.
I understand your concern regarding the Cholesterol levels.
Measurement of IDLs and Chylomicrons has been technically difficult and largely confined to a research setting because IDLs and Chylomicrons vary in size and contain varying proportions of triglycerides and cholesterol, with no available direct method of testing.
Chylomicrons helps in transportation of the cholesterol from intestines into the blood and IDL is a intermediary product between VLDL and LDL. They get converted into VLDL and LDL, so in excess is considered to be bad for health.
Continue with the lifestyle changes you are following at present along with the tips given in the previous reply. Follow and get your Lipid profile repeated after 3 months to know any difference. If the levels have increased it would be better to start on Lipid lowering drugs like Statins.
Hope this answers your query. If any further clarifications will be happy to help you.
Regards.
Difficult to quantify chylomicron and IDL levels
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow up.
I understand your concern regarding the Cholesterol levels.
Measurement of IDLs and Chylomicrons has been technically difficult and largely confined to a research setting because IDLs and Chylomicrons vary in size and contain varying proportions of triglycerides and cholesterol, with no available direct method of testing.
Chylomicrons helps in transportation of the cholesterol from intestines into the blood and IDL is a intermediary product between VLDL and LDL. They get converted into VLDL and LDL, so in excess is considered to be bad for health.
Continue with the lifestyle changes you are following at present along with the tips given in the previous reply. Follow and get your Lipid profile repeated after 3 months to know any difference. If the levels have increased it would be better to start on Lipid lowering drugs like Statins.
Hope this answers your query. If any further clarifications will be happy to help you.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
