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Cholesterol Test (Total)
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Cholesterol Test Overview
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like-substance with steroid structure. It is synthesized in many types of tissue particularly liver and intestinal wall and found in every cell of the body. Source of cholesterol is either newly synthesized or from dietary intake. Cholesterol is carried in the blood attached to the protein called lipoprotein. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) transports cholesterol throughout the body. At times, LDL builds up in the arterial walls making the walls narrow and hard. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), transports excess cholesterol back to the liver that’s why it is called as good cholesterol.
With changing lifestyles, the risk factors leading to heart attacks have also increased. One of these is high cholesterol levels in your blood. Although certain risk factors, including genetics and age, may cause high cholesterol, habits including smoking, unhealthy eating patterns, alcohol consumption, and leading a sedentary lifestyle may predispose you to develop the condition. To protect yourself from coronary artery disease and having a stroke or a heart attack, you should be aware of your cholesterol levels.
Read ahead to understand what is cholesterol and why is the total cholesterol test done.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a substance found in the blood and each cell of our body. It is a fat-like element that is waxy and has a steroid structure. Some cholesterol is required by our body to keep cells and organs functioning. Thus, our body synthesizes cholesterol in an array of tissues, particularly in the liver and the walls of our intestine. Apart from the newly synthesized cholesterol, there is a second source through which it enters our body. This is from the dietary intake. Let us understand the importance of the test.
Symptoms to consider for a Total Cholesterol Level Test
People with the following symptoms or conditions should do a total cholesterol level test
- Having a familial history of heart attacks
- Having a family history of high cholesterol
- Having diabetes
- Being overweight
- Having a sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Following unhealthy eating habits
What other tests are ordered along with the total cholesterol test?
A lipid profile is ordered with the total cholesterol test. This include:
· LDL Cholesterol
· HDL Cholesterol
· Triglycerides
In addition, the cardiac risk profile may also be ascertained by measuring:
· High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation in the body)
· Lipoprotein A, which is a protein carrying LDL in the blood (high levels of Lipoprotein A are correlated with plaque formation).
Written by: Dr.Shibani R, Medical Writer, Medical Affairs
Cholesterol Test (Total) Price
Metropolis Healthcare is a leading diagnostics centre and pathology lab in India equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technologies that provides the Cholesterol Test (Total) with a clear pricing structure.
The Cholesterol Test (Total) Price in Mumbai is ₹ 235 .
We are committed to deliver accurate and quality results from the best labs in India with complete transparency regarding test cost and turnaround time. No matter where you are, we strive to offer patients high-quality service that is affordable and accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cholesterol test is done to evaluate cardiovascular risk, diagnosis of dyslipidaemia and diagnosis of lipid and lipoprotein metabolic disorders.
A total cholesterol test is done to ascertain the risk of building up of plaques or fatty deposits in the arteries. These deposits may lead to blockage or narrowing of arteries causing coronary problems.
The total cholesterol test is done to:
- Measure the overall status of lipids in blood including the following but not independently:
1. Total cholesterol
2. Triglycerides
3. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
4. High-density lipoprotein (LDL)
- Examine the excessive level of LDL cholesterol in the blood that poses a risk of fatty deposition also called plaques in the arteries leading to atherosclerosis causing reduced blood flow.
- Examine the risk of rupture in arteries due to LDL cholesterol leading to a stroke or heart attack.
- Assess the level of HDL cholesterol for ensuring the arteries are open and the blood is allowed to flow freely.
- Monitoring patients for imbalances in lipids that can cause dyslipidemia.
- Monitoring triglyceride levels in the blood for individuals with lifestyle-related risk factors such as being overweight, being sedentary, smoking, or having elevated blood sugar levels.
Cholesterol test measures total cholesterol in serum sample.
During Cholesterol test blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
High cholesterol can be due to unhealthy food habbits, lifestyle, obesity, smoking, drinking alcohol, sedentary lifestyle and family history. High cholesterol levels may mean that cholesterol is getting deposited in the arterial walls causing chest pain, heart attack, stroke, coronary heart disease (CHD), transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Low cholesterol levels are rare, may at times be due to anxiety, depression, and certain cancers. If occurring during pregnancy, very low cholesterol may lead to certain foetal complications.
12-14 hours of fasting is necessary before taking the test. Your healthcare professional will recommend you consume only water and avoid food to get an accurate result.
The normal level of total cholesterol in blood serum is below 200 mg/dL.
Cholesterol in our body is of two types Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and High-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL circulating in the body at times gets deposited in the arterial walls making the walls narrow and hard. This is why it is known as bad cholesterol. Conversely, HDL or good cholesterol transports excessive cholesterol from the body back to the liver. A high level of LDL in our blood puts us at risk and a total cholesterol test is used to diagnose the same.
The best measure to check cholesterol levels is a lipid panel or lipid profile.
Cholesterol Test
Lipid Panel
Lipid Profile
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