Testing Cholesterol Level

March 17, 2010 · Posted in cholesterol · Comment 

Cholesterol is a substance which is found naturally in our blood and as a part of cell membranes. It is made by our liver but we can also get it with food we eat – animal products like meats, dairy fats, and egg yolks. Cholesterol is needed to make hormones and vitamin D. But cholesterol can also contribute to plaque formation in our blood vessels, a process called atherosclerosis and to increased risk of heart disease. In general cholesterol levels are largely determined by genetics – having a low level of cholesterol in our blood is natural and healthy but having a high cholesterol level can be dangerous.

To understand how cholesterol can contribute to atherosclerosis and heart disease, we should first understand where it is present and how it is carried around our body. Cholesterol is transported in the bloodstream with lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are special proteins of which two types are important in cholesterol transportation. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) transport cholesterol away from blood vessels (good for us), while low-density lipoproteins (LDL) can penetrate walls of our blood vessels, deposit cholesterol and form plaque (bad for us).

There are also other types of lipoproteins like very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), which are similar to low-density lipoproteins, but can more easily penetrate walls of our blood vessels; intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL) like very-low-density lipoproteins, these also carry triglycerides and cholesterol; and chylomicrons which carry only a small percentage of cholesterol and are mostly rich in triglycerides (another type of fat).

High levels of LDL, IDL and VLDL lipoproteins contribute to increased risk of heart attack because these types of lipoproteins actually harm arteries. On the other hand, higher levels of HDL lipoproteins reduce risk of heart attack because these lipoproteins transport cholesterol away from the blood stream.

To keep cholesterol at safe levels we should focus on reducing LDLs while increasing HDLs. This can usually be done by taking care of what kind of food we eat. In order to know if we need to regulate our cholesterol level we should first measure it. For people older than 20 years it is advised to test cholesterol level every 5 years and adults over 45 years should have cholesterol test every few years.

The level of cholesterol in our blood is determined with a blood test. It can be done clinically or at home. There are many home cholesterol test kits available. Some tests measure only the total cholesterol level while others can measure also HDL and LDL levels. The cholesterol level in our blood is measured in units mmol/l. It is important to measure both types, LDL and HDL, because their ratio is also important – LDL to HDL ratio should be less than 4. Sometimes also the Cholesterol/HDL ratio is calculated. It is determined by dividing the total cholesterol level by the HDL cholesterol level and for most people this ratio should be below 5:1. The ideal Cholesterol/HDL ratio is below 3.5:1.

Normal cholesterol levels are the following:

  • Total cholesterol level: less than 5.5 mmol/l
  • LDL level: less than 3.5 mmol/l
  • HDL level: greater than 1.0 mmol/l
  • LDL to HDL ratio: less than 4
  • Triglycerides level: less than 2.0 mmol/l

Cholesterol level can be lowered naturally. Foods rich in soluble fiber like fruits and vegetables, in particular citrus fruits and apples, have been shown to help decrease blood cholesterol level by binding it to fibers and thus preventing it from being absorbed into the body. Patients who have not improved their cholesterol levels with natural ways like with dietary and lifestyle changes can use cholesterol medications to regulate their cholesterol level.

Before investing in home cholesterol test kits, we should consult our doctor. Even when cholesterol testing is done by trained professionals in a lab, there can be significant variability in test results. The variability may be even greater with home cholesterol test kits, especially if we’re not fasting when we take the test. Home cholesterol test kits are widely available. They are practical, we can easily determine our total, HDL and LDL cholesterol levels in few minutes. However, we should be also aware of the accuracy of such home tests. Usually it is at least 95% but can vary. And we should also remember that home cholesterol tests don’t replace clinical cholesterol tests – nor do they offer an overall assessment of other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Author: Jan Pascal
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Duty on LCD/Plasma TV

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