Lipids

DESCRIPTION

• Standard lipid profile includes total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and non-HDL cholesterol.
• Apolipoproteins and lipoprotein lipase activity can also be measured but are not recommend as part of standard analysis.
• Chylomicrons carry fat absorbed from the intestine.
• High LDL-C ("bad cholesterol”) is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Low HDL-C ("good cholesterol) is also a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• ApoB and Non-HDL-C (which includes LDL-C + Very LDL-C) are superior to LDL-C in quantifying atherosclerotic burden in patients with diabetes and/or hypertriglyceridemia. [3]
• High TG are also associated with cardiovascular disease although less strongly than high LDL-C, low HDL-C and non-HDL-C.
• Severe hypertriglyceridemia can also lead to pancreatitis in some individuals.