?What is the HDL? What is the LDL? Who to Test Them
What is HDL? What is LDL? How to test them? And what is the normal values?
First of all, special thanks to
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital San Francisco a
s smart and independent medical center who has new version of comprehensive medical center not only Offline (in physical place) but also an online medical complex. we have several medical essays related HDL and LDL here! all comes from their online medical test department.
Part One
For today’s subject we are going to remind some simple information for you and your family as a fact.
What is the HDL? What is the LDL? What is the Cholesterol? What are the ranges? What about ratio? How can I test it? Some simple question is all in our minds, but did not spend time seriously to get the fundamental answer!
We are going to submit you some basic knowledge to:
# One: Know the academic knowledge.
# Two: Test it simply.
# Three: Save your time.
# Four: If it needs, do some changes, save life, have wonderful life style. GET BENEFITING.
So let’s start step by step! Today we just let you know: What is HDL? What is LDL? How to test them? And what is the normal values?
HDL
Definition
HDL stands for
High-Density Lipoprotein. It's also sometimes
called "good" cholesterol. Lipoproteins are made of fat and protein. They carry cholesterol, triglycerides, and other fats, called lipids, in the blood from other parts of your body to your liver. So, in the case of HDL cholesterol, higher levels are actually better. Experts believe that
HDL acts as a scavenger, carrying LDL (bad) cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where the LDL is broken down and passed from the body. But HDL cholesterol does not completely eliminate LDL cholesterol. Only one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL.
A healthy HDL cholesterol level may protect against heart attack and stroke. Studies show that low levels of HDL cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease.
Alternative Names
High-density lipoprotein test.
How the test is performed?
A blood sample is needed.
Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.
Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
How to prepare for the test?
You may be told not to eat or drink anything for 9 - 12 hours before the test.
The health care provider may tell you to stop taking certain drugs before the procedure.
How the test will feel?
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performed?
This test is done to check the level of
cholesterol in your blood and to see if you are at high risk for a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular problem. Studies of both men and women have shown that the higher your HDL, the lower your risk of coronary artery disease. This is why HDL is sometimes referred to as "good" cholesterol.
The main function of HDL is to help soak up excess
cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels and carry it to the liver, where it breaks down and is removed from the body in the bile.
The laboratory test for HDL actually measures how much
cholesterol is in each high-density lipoprotein particle, not the actual amount of HDL in the blood.
Normal Values
In general, your risk for heart disease, including a heart attack, increases if your HDL cholesterol level is less than 40 mg/dL.
An HDL 60 mg/dL or above helps protect against heart disease.
Women tend to have higher HDL cholesterol than men.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results mean
Low HDL levels may be a sign that you have an increased risk for atherosclerotic heart disease.
A low HDL level may also be associated with:
• Familial combined hyperlipidemia
• Noninsulin-dependent diabetes (NIDD)
• Use of certain drugs such as anabolic steroids, antipsychotics, beta blockers, corticosteroids, and protease inhibitors
What the risks are
There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
-
Excessive bleeding
-
Fainting or feeling light-headed
-
Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
-
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Special considerations
HDL may be done as part of an overall lipid profile, where "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and
triglycerides will also be measured. The combined information gathered from all of these tests may help your risk of heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
Your health care provider may recommend therapy if your risk is found to be high. Regular exercise can increase HDL levels by several points.
LDL
Definition
LDL stands for
Low-Density Lipoprotein. It's also sometimes
called "bad" cholesterol. Lipoproteins are made of fat and protein.
They carry cholesterol, triglycerides, and other fats, called lipids, in the blood to various parts of the body. it contributes to fatty buildups in arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition narrows the arteries and increases the risk for heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery disease, or PAD.
This article discusses the blood test to measure the level of LDL cholesterol in your blood. Too much LDL in the blood can clog arteries.
Alternative Names
Low-density lipoprotein test
How the test is performed?
Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.
Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
How to prepare for the test?
You will usually be told not to eat or drink anything for 9 - 12 hours before the test.
The health care provider may tell you to stop taking certain drugs before the procedure.
How the test will feel?
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, you may feel moderate pain, or only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performed?
This test is usually done to determine your risk for heart disease. The LDL test is usually done as part of a lipid panel, which also checks total
cholesterol, HDL, and
triglyceride levels.
LDL carries
cholesterol to various tissues throughout the body. Too much LDL, commonly called "bad cholesterol," is linked to cardiovascular disease. The lower your LDL, the lower your risk for heart disease or stroke.
Normal Values
A healthy LDL level is one that falls in the optimal or near-optimal range.
-
Optimal: Less than 100 mg/dL (less than 70 mg/dL for persons with a history of heart disease or those at very high risk for atherosclerotic disease)
-
Near Optimal: 100 - 129 mg/dL
-
Borderline High: 130 - 159 mg/dL
-
High: 160 - 189 mg/dL
-
Very High: 190 mg/dL and higher
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results mean
High levels of LDL may be associated with:
-
Increased risk of atherosclerotic heart disease
-
Familial hyperlipoproteinemia
Lower than normal levels of LDL may be caused by:
-
Malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract)
-
Malnutrition
-
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
-
Familial combined hyperlipidemia
-
Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia
-
Familial hypertriglyceridemia
What the risks are
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
-
Excessive bleeding
-
Fainting or feeling light-headed
-
Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
-
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.
2019-08-01 11:00:00
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