The term "cholesterol" itself is used in the lab to refer to the measurement of total cholesterol. However, cholesterol testing is typically part of a broader assessment called a lipid panel.
Understanding the Lipid Panel
A lipid panel, as indicated in the reference material, is a comprehensive blood test that measures different types of fats (lipids) in your blood. These measurements help assess your risk for heart disease. The lipid panel includes the following:
- Total Cholesterol: This measures the total amount of cholesterol in your blood.
- LDL ("bad") Cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol can build up in the walls of your arteries, increasing your chances of heart disease.
- HDL ("good") Cholesterol: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries.
- Triglycerides: Another type of fat in your blood.
Therefore, while the individual measurement is simply called "Total Cholesterol" in the lab, it is often ordered and viewed within the context of the lipid panel.
