Normal And Abnormal Values In Total Cholesterol Testing
Cholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance that is found in the bloodstream along with lipids. Cholesterol is needed by the body to form membranes of cells, make hormones and help in other cell processes. To supply the body’s needs, the liver produces about 1000 mg of cholesterol per day. This is enough cholesterol to facilitate the body’s functions. Hence, a person does not have to consume extra cholesterol from the diet. Cholesterol is found in animal food sources such as meat, fish, poultry and dairy products. Since plants have no livers, plant-sourced food like vegetables, fruits, nuts and legumes have no cholesterol content.
Cholesterol does not dissolve in the blood, so it has to be transported to and from the cells by carriers. While the major carrier in the blood is low-density lipoprotein (LDL), about one third to one fourth of total blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is referred to as good cholesterol, because high levels of it can cause cholesterol and plaque build-up in the arteries.
Plaque build-up blocks clogs the arteries and blocks blood flow to the heart. Since blood carries oxygen, heart muscle becomes oxygen deprived and dies. A heart attack will be bound to happen. Likewise, when plaque blocks blood flow to the brain, a stroke may occur. In cholesterol testing, the levels of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol can be mesaured using different blood tests. Knowing cholesterol levels is important because a high level of cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
In cholesterol testing, a health care professional draws blood from a vein, typically a vein on the inner part of the elbow or at the back of the hand. Before drawing blood, the health care professional cleans the vein site with antiseptic and wraps an elastic band around the upper arm for adequate blood to fill the vein. In infants and young kids, a lancet may be used instead of a needle to puncture the skin.
To ensure that the results of cholesterol testing would be accurate, the person should go on fasting 9 to 12 hours before the test. While a person may drink water during that time, other beverages and food are not allowed. People taking medications should consult their doctor about cholesterol testing to know if they can safely stop taking the medication during fasting. Cholesterol testing is done for coronary risk profile or screening. The first screening is done between 20-35 years old for men and 20-45 years old for women. People should undergo follow-up screening every 5 years.
With regards to total cholesterol results, a desirable cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL or lower. Meanwhile, 200-239 mg/dL is considered borderline high. A total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL is is considered high risk. Total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or above generally means that the person has a higher risk for heart disease, with LDL cholesterol being a better predictor. High total cholesterol levels may also be caused by biliary cirrhosis, high fat diet, hypothyroidism nephotic syndrome, familial hyperlipidemias and uncontrolled high glucose levels.