At Life Line Screening, we help you manage your cholesterol levels with the complete lipid panel, a simple finger-stick screening. This comprehensive screening measures 3 different kinds of lipids in the blood: HDL (“good” cholesterol), LDL (“bad” cholesterol), and triglycerides. In addition, the complete lipid panel also measures total cholesterol—the combined amount of these 3 lipids. Lipid levels are important factors in determining your overall heart health. Get more information about high cholesterol. 

 Watch Our Video now to get a quick overview of how we identify your risk for high cholesterol.

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What you can learn

Once you have your results, you can compare them to the guidelines created by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), the organization that sets cholesterol classifications. Its goal is to prevent illness and death from coronary heart disease by reducing high cholesterol. If your cholesterol is anything but optimal, you may want to meet with your physician to discuss ways to improve your cholesterol levels.

Here are the NCEP cholesterol classifications:

LDL Cholesterol Category

< 100 mg/dL Optimal 100-129 mg/dL Near optimal/above optimal 130-159 mg/dL Borderline high 160-189 mg/dL High ≥ 190 mg/dL Very high

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HDL Cholesterol Category

≤ 40 mg/dL Low ≥ 60 mg/dL High (desirable)

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Triglycerides Category

< 150 mg/dL Normal 150-199 mg/dL Borderline high 200-499 mg/dL High ≥ 500 mg/dL Very High

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Total Cholesterol Category

< 200 mg/dL Desirable 200-239 mg/dL Borderline high ≥ 240 mg/dL High

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Who should get screened and how often

According to the NCEP:

• In adults with no symptoms, cholesterol screening should take place every 5 years starting at age 20
   
• Patients with heart disease or abnormal lipid levels should be screened every 1 to 2 years
   
• Those on medication to lower cholesterol should be screened every 6 weeks until lipid goals are met, and every 4 to 6 months thereafter

In addition, the American Diabetes Association recommends all adults receive a complete lipid panel every year.

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How to prepare

You must fast for 8 hours prior to a cholesterol screening.

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