Total Cholesterol Blood Test

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in all the body's cells. The body requires cholesterol to produce hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help digestion. So the body makes all the cholesterol it needs. In addition, cholesterol is also obtained from foods like egg yolks, meat, and cheese. Cholesterol screening helps evaluate heart health since excess cholesterol is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

What is the purpose of this test?

Order this Total Cholesterol Blood Test to measure the sum of good and bad cholesterol and help assess the risk of cardiovascular disease. Typically, total cholesterol may be ordered as part of a cholesterol screening panel, such as a lipid panel. Traditionally, lipid panels require patients to fast overnight, but this condition causes inconvenience for specific individuals like active people and people with diabetes. However, this total cholesterol test is offered individually to provide the convenience of nonfasting. In addition, research has proven that eating before a blood draw has only slight and clinically insignificant effects on three components of the cholesterol screening: total cholesterol and HDL- and LDL-cholesterol.

The Total Cholesterol Blood Test may also be used to:

• Monitor individuals with a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Diagnose certain underlying health conditions.
• Monitor treatment effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular disease risk.

What can increase my risk of high cholesterol?

Several health conditions or factors may increase the risk of high cholesterol. For example, individuals meeting one or more of the following factors have an increased risk of high cholesterol and potentially CVD:

• Being over 45 years old for men and over 50-55 for women
• Previous high cholesterol levels
• History of cardiovascular problems
• Overweight
• Smoking
• Unhealthy diet
• Sedentary lifestyle
• High blood pressure
• Family history of heart disease at an early age (under 55 in men and under 65 in women)
• Diabetes or prediabetes

When should I order a Total Cholesterol Blood Test?

Individuals may order this test if they have an increased risk of high cholesterol. Although there are no signs or symptoms of high cholesterol, individuals may use blood tests such as the Total Cholesterol Blood Test to detect if they have it.