LDL Cholesterol Test - Direct Serum

LDL test is done to monitor the risk of heart diseases, stroke or any other medical conditions that involve the blood vessels[arteries] like peripheral arterial diseases. In known cases of high cholesterol or LDL levels, the test is done to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and medications. How often the test should be done will depend on age, sex and risk of heart diseases.

Low Density Lipoprotein levels in the blood determine the overall health of an individual and also helps in predicting the risk of metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke. The reasons why you may be asked to take an LDL test are covered in detail below.

As an LDL test measures the levels of LDL or bad cholesterol in the blood, it can help your doctor assess your health better and predict your risks of developing cardiovascular disease in the future. You may also be asked to do an LDL test if you have had diabetes for many years, are overweight or obese, have hypothyroidism, or have had cardiovascular disorders in the past. Apart from helping your doctor predict the risk of cardiovascular disorders, it also helps in identifying the risk of developing diabetes, stroke, and other diseases associated with blood vessel blockage. Sometimes, your doctor may suggest an LDL test after a complete lipid profile, to be precise with the numbers.

The LDL test measures the level of low density lipoproteins(LDL) also known as "bad cholesterol" in the blood. 

During Ldl 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.

Individuals with high cholesterol levels are often asymptomatic. However, high LDL levels may lead to hardening or thickening of the blood vessels leading to risk of heart diseases, strokes and other medical conditions involving the blood vessels. There are age and gender specific guidelines to decide if the high LDL levels require treatment or not. 
High LDL levels may also be sign of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, hypothyroidism, certain genetic conditions, or side-effects of medications. Low LDL levels may occur due to lipoprotein deficiencies, hyperthyroidism, infections, inflammation or cirrhosis.

An LDL test is a simple blood test that can be done in a few minutes. You will be asked to do overnight fasting for about 9-12 hours. Your doctor uses a needle to draw blood from your vein and stores it in a test tube or a vial to study the amount of LDL in your blood. This usually takes only three to five minutes.

Here is how you can measure the results:

• Normal - <100 mg/dl
• Borderline high – 130 – 159 mg/dl
• High – 160 – 189 mg/dl
• Very high – 190 mg/dl and above

A high level of LDL means that you could have a risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, etc. in the future.

Borderline high means that you have to take precautions, make lifestyle and diet changes, and reduce your body weight and blood sugar levels if they are high.

High and very high LDL level means that your LDL levels have to be brought down either through lifestyle changes or treatment that your doctor recommends. It could mean that you are at risk of developing heart disease in the future.

A lower-than-normal level of LDL means that you are healthy but sometimes, it could also mean any of the following:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Inherited lipoprotein deficiencies
• Infection
• Cirrhosis
• Inflammation

No, it is just a simple blood test where your doctor uses a needle to draw a little amount of blood. This never takes more than five minutes.

Low-Density Lipoprotein test

Bad Cholesterol

Lipid Panel

Lipid Profile

Anyone older than 17 years of age can get tested for LDL levels. We have mentioned below some reasons explaining why you have to get tested for LDL cholesterol levels:

• Diabetes
• Hypothyroid
• Obesity
• Family history of high cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Hypertension
• Unhealthy lifestyle
• Unable to engage in vigorous activities
• Older than 45 years of age if you are a male and older than 55 years of age if you are a female

People with the following symptoms should get an LDL test done:

• Difficulty engaging in vigorous activities
• Running out of breath even while walking or doing regular activities
• High blood sugar levels
• Digestive issues
• Heart disease