Lipid panel what is normal

He or she may prescribe medicine to lower your cholesterol. Statins are a class of medicine most often prescribed to lower cholesterol.

Adults may be tested earlier if they have certain diseases diabetes, heart disease or if they smoke. According to the USPSTF, there is not enough evidence of the benefits of lipid panel testing in adults 21 to 39 years old. Your lipid panel test will provide individual results for your good and bad cholesterol and triglycerides.

Last Updated: September 2, This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. However, if you have to travel, there are ways to decrease…. Visit The Symptom Checker.

Read More. Pelvic Ultrasound. Rapid Strep Test. Abdominal Ultrasound. CT Head Scan. Path to improved health Your doctor will use the results of your lipid panel to calculate an ASCVD atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score. Good HDL cholesterol: Your body needs good cholesterol to lower your risk of heart disease.

Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you. Here are the ranges for total cholesterol in adults:. The above numbers are general guidelines, because actual goals depend on the number of risk factors you have for heart disease.

This type of fat is actually good for you because it lowers your risk of heart disease. The higher the number, the lower your risk. High levels of triglycerides are linked with a higher heart disease risk. Here are the adult ranges:. Depending on your test results, your healthcare provider will decide whether you need lifestyle changes or medicines to lower your cholesterol. Your results and targets will vary according to your age and health.

If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, you're at higher risk of having heart disease. You may have to take medicine to get your cholesterol and triglyceride levels even lower.

Having a blood test with a needle carries some risks. These include bleeding, infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, you may feel a slight sting or pain. Afterward, the site may be sore. You may need to not eat or drink anything but water for 12 to 14 hours before this test. They may also include tests for diabetes and diseases of your thyroid, liver, or kidneys.

Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things. Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you. Here are the ranges for total cholesterol in adults:. If your total cholesterol is high, you may have a higher risk for heart disease than a person with normal total cholesterol. A low HDL cholesterol level is associated with an increased risk for coronary heart disease.

Your total-cholesterol-to-HDL ratio can be figured out by dividing your total cholesterol number by your HDL cholesterol number. Together, these numbers provide more information about your coronary heart disease risk than knowing only 1 of the numbers. The test is done with a blood sample. A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand.

Having a blood test with a needle carries some risks. These include bleeding, infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, you may feel a slight sting or pain. Afterward, the site may be sore. Many things can affect your results.