A lipid profile is a group of tests that shows the level of fats in the blood; it generally includes total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. These values are assessed not on their own but together with your age, blood pressure, blood sugar, smoking and family history. No decision is made by looking at a single value.
The World Health Organization (opens in a new tab) reports that in 2022 an estimated 19.8 million people died of cardiovascular disease, corresponding to approximately 32% of global deaths. The same source counts raised blood lipids (together with high blood pressure, high blood sugar and being overweight) among the intermediate risk indicators that can be measured in primary care.
This explains why a lipid profile is read not on its own but as part of an overall picture of risk.
The values on the report
| Value | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | Shows the total level of cholesterol in the blood (on its own it does not give enough information) |
| LDL cholesterol | Shows the level of the cholesterol that may contribute to build-up in the vessel wall (one of the values given the most attention in the assessment) |
| HDL cholesterol | Shows the level of the fraction that carries cholesterol in the circulation |
| Triglycerides | Shows the level of triglycerides, another type of fat in the blood (may be affected by diet, alcohol use and the course of blood sugar) |
| Non-HDL cholesterol | Shows the total level of cholesterol other than HDL (calculated by subtracting HDL from total cholesterol; used in some assessments) |
A range may appear next to each value on the report. These ranges may vary from laboratory to laboratory and do not show the same target for everyone: in people with known cardiovascular disease, diabetes or kidney disease, the targets are set differently.
What is examined alongside it
- Age and sex
- Blood pressure readings
- Blood sugar and HbA1c
- Smoking
- Waist circumference and body mass index
- A family history of cardiovascular disease at an early age
- Kidney function
- Thyroid function tests; when thyroid hormones run low, blood lipids may be affected
- Current medication
The World Health Organization lists the four main behavioural risk factors for cardiovascular disease as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and the harmful use of alcohol.
In which patients is it assessed differently?
In the situations below the assessment proceeds differently.
- In patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding (blood lipids may rise physiologically; the assessment and the choice of medicine are different)
- In patients with known cardiovascular disease (the targets are set lower)
- In patients with diabetes (the targets are assessed separately)
- In patients with kidney disease (the choice of medicine and the targets change)
- In patients whose thyroid hormones run low (the thyroid is assessed first)
- In patients with a family history of a heart attack at an early age (inherited high cholesterol is investigated separately)
- In patients taking cholesterol medication (the medicine is not stopped without consulting a physician)
- In patients under 18 years of age (assessment lies within the field of paediatrics; this content has been prepared for adults)
Points to be aware of
No decision is made by looking at a single value. One value on the report being outside the healthy range does not on its own show that treatment is needed; equally, all the values being within the healthy range does not mean that there is no risk.
Laboratory cut-off values may differ from one institution to another. For this reason, results obtained from different laboratories are not compared directly.
Preparation before the test may affect the result. The length of the fast matters particularly in the measurement of triglycerides. When the investigation is requested, ask whether you need to come fasting.
A recent illness may affect the result. Readings may change temporarily after an infection, an operation or a severe illness.
Do not start or stop a medicine on your own initiative. Starting cholesterol medication, its dose and whether it is continued are decisions for the physician.
Results vary from person to person. Changes in the eating and activity routine generally take weeks to months to be reflected in laboratory results.
When should you see a physician without delay?
If you notice these symptoms, consult a physician without delay:
- Values outside the healthy range on your report
- Yellowish swellings on the eyelids or thickening of the tendons
- Muscle pain, weakness or darkening of the urine while taking cholesterol medication
- High blood pressure or high blood sugar accompanying raised blood lipids
In the event of chest pain, shortness of breath, pain radiating into the arm or the jaw, sudden loss of strength or disturbance of speech, go directly to the emergency department.
Frequently asked questions
My cholesterol came back high; do I need to start medication straight away?
This is not determined by the cholesterol value on its own. Age, blood pressure, blood sugar, smoking, family history and any known cardiovascular disease are assessed together. For some people, the preferred first step is to adjust the eating and activity routine under monitoring; for others, medication may be needed. The decision is made at the end of the examination.
Should I fast before the test?
This varies according to the investigations requested. The length of the fast may affect the result, particularly in the measurement of triglycerides. When the investigation is requested, ask how many hours you should fast.
What do “good cholesterol” and “bad cholesterol” mean?
In everyday speech, “good” is used for HDL and “bad” for LDL. This naming is a simplification; in the assessment, both values are considered together with triglycerides and the other risk factors.
Does cholesterol come down with diet?
The eating and activity routine is among the factors that affect blood lipids. The World Health Organization (opens in a new tab) recommends that saturated fat should not exceed 10% of total energy. However, the extent of the change that can be achieved differs from person to person, and for some people adjusting the diet may not be enough on its own.
Can I compare results I have had from different laboratories?
Direct comparison is not advised. The measurement methods and the cut-off values may differ from one institution to another. Using the same laboratory as far as possible during follow-up allows the course to be monitored more reliably.
How often should I have it checked?
The interval is determined on an individual basis. Any known condition you have, your current medication and your level of risk all affect this interval. Your physician determines how often you need follow-up.
Sources
- World Health Organization, Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) fact sheet, 31 July 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds) (opens in a new tab)
- World Health Organization, Healthy diet fact sheet, 26 January 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet (opens in a new tab)
