Understanding Test Results

Periodic testing helps you manage cholesterol levels and diabetes.

Lipid Profile is a detailed measure of the fats in your blood. It consists of measuring your total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol. NCEP (National Cholesterol Education Program — a study by a panel of experts) ATP III Guidelines recommend a complete lipid profile as the initial test and testing every 6 weeks until lip goals are met and every 4-6 months thereafter.

Cholesterol is one of several components that form your lipid profile. Total Cholesterol (TC) is a measure of the total amount of both "good" and "bad" cholesterol in your blood at a given time.

TC is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). A TC of less than 200 mg/dl is desirable.

The "good" cholesterol is called High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. It removes excess cholesterol from your arteries and moves it to the liver for further processing or to be eliminated from the body.

The higher your HDL, the better. An HDL of 60 mg/dL or higher is beneficial and considered a negative risk factor. An ADL of 40 mg/dL or lower is considered a risk factor for heart disease.

A TC/HDL ratio is total cholesterol divided by HDL cholesterol. Some healthcare professionals may use this ration to assess risk for developing heart disease — lower ratios are associated with lower risk.

Triglycerides (TRG) are composed of fatty acids and glycerol. Like cholesterol, they circulate in your blood, but are stored in body fat and used when the body needs extra energy. While your tryiglyceride level can be significantly affected by how recently you've eaten, total cholesterol and HDL or only slightly affected.

After eating, your triglyceride level increases significantly. If your body processes the fat efficiently, the level of triglycerides will decrease naturally. Your fasting triglyceride level should be below 150 mg/dL.

The "bad" cholesterol is called Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. It contributes to the buildup of fat deposits in your arteries (atherosclerosis), which can cause decreased blood flow and heart attack. LDL contains remnants of Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, which is a nother carrier of fat in the blood.

About 65% of the cholesterol in your blood is LDL. An LDL of less than 130 mg/dL is desirable. If you have a personal history of coronary heart disease or diabetes, or if you have multiple risk factors, your LDL should be below 100 mg/dL.

Your healthcare professional will carefully examine the test results of your lipid profile to fully assess your risk for coronary heart disease.

Other Important Tests

Alanine Aminotransferase (AOL) is an enzyme that is measured to determine the function of your liver. A normal ALT range is 10-40 U/L (units per liter). Your ALT level will need to be monitored if you are on certain drugs to lower cholesterol, to control diabetes, or to treat various other diseases.

Glucose (GLU) is a measure of the sugar level in your blood. Fasting glucose levels should be below 110 mg/dL. If you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes, your glucose levels should be checked periodically to see if you have diabetes.

An A1C test result reflects a patient's average blood sugar level (blood glucose concentration) over the previous 2-3 months. It tells the patient and physician how well blood sugar levels are being controlled. These A1C vales are not subject to the fluctuations that are seen with daily blood glucose monitoring.

National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Guidelines
NCEP Guidelines recommend regular cholesterol screening with a lipid profile for all adults as well as for children in families with cardiovascular risk factors. Periodic lipid testing will determine whether you have met your goals or need more intensive treatment. NCEP Guidelines recommend that you test your lipids every 6 weeks until your goals are met and every 4-6 months thereafter.

American Diabetes Associate (ADA) Guidelines
The ADA recommends LA1C as the best test to find out if a patient's blood sugar is under control over time. The test should be performed every 3 months for insulin-treated patients, during treatment changes, or when blood sugar is elevated. For stable patients on prescription drugs, the recommended frequency is at least twice a year. According to the ADA, the target A1C value is less than 7%. Patients with values greater than 8% require reevaluation.