Testing for cholesterol involves taking a cholesterol blood test to measure your levels of total cholesterol, otherwise known as a lipid panel, it will help identify the risk of heart disease and other health conditions. We offer our own cholesterol blood test and below you can find a wide range of different blood tests that will also test cholesterol levels.
The cholesterol blood test measures the Total Cholesterol, which is the complete amount of cholesterol present in your blood, including both the good and bad cholesterol, this is determined by taking your total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol, and giving a ratio (TC:HDL).
A cholesterol blood test provides information regarding your cardiovascular health, and will help your doctor in determining the risk of heart-related conditions caused by high cholesterol.
In the body, cholesterol plays a crucial role, this is because it is used to produce hormones, vitamin D, and is used in the production of bile, that aids your body in breaking down foods, and absorbing nutrients into the intestines. Cholesterol is important for building and maintain healthy cells, your liver produces the cholesterol that you need, although, it can be found in a small amount of foods.
An abundance of LDL cholesterol can create build up of fat in the arteries leading to a higher risk of heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. There are no symptoms that can indicate high cholesterol, therefore, blood tests are the only way to discover if you have higher levels.
The total level of cholesterol is an important indicator of your overall health, by understanding the different types of cholesterol, and making dietary or lifestyle changes, if needed, you are able to control the levels of cholesterol in your blood, and reduce the risk of serious conditions. If you have any concerns about your cholesterol levels, talk to your healthcare provider regarding the best ways to manage them, which also may need you to take a cholesterol blood test.