Cholesterol and Triglycerides Tests

HDL Cholesterol Test, LDL Cholesterol Test, Lipid Profile, Lipoprotein Analysis, Total Cholesterol Test, Triglycerides and Cholesterol Tests

Why It Is Done

Cholesterol and triglyceride testing is done:

• As part of a routine physical exam to screen for a lipid disorder.
• To check your response to medicines used to treat lipid disorders.
• To help determine your chances of having of heart disease, especially if you have other risk factors for heart disease or symptoms that suggest heart disease is present.
• If you have unusual symptoms, such as yellow fatty deposits in the skin (xanthomas), which may be caused by a rare genetic disease that causes very high cholesterol levels.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: September 13, 2007
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
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