The good, the bad and the ugly

The lipid profile is a group of tests comprising triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol. The lipid profile is used, together with other risk factors, to assess a person's risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

It is very important to get the balance between the protective HDL and the destructive LDL right in order to reduce the risk of CVD. This can be achieved either through dietary and lifestyle changes or treatment with cholesterol reducing drugs called statins.

Regular check-ups are necessary to establish risk and, if necessary, monitor treatment.

The European Society of Cardiologists recommends the following:
LDL cholesterol < 3 mmol/l (115 mg/dl)
HDL cholesterol > 1 mmol/l (40 mg/dl)
Total cholesterol < 5 mmol/l (190 mg/dl)
Small LDL (the ugly), a subform of LDL, is a major CVD risk factor and should also be tested for, as should the apolipoproteins, as some of them confer an increased CVD risk.

All Randox cholesterol tests, including small LDL, are direct enzymatic clearance tests, and as such are highly accurate even in lipaemic samples.

We also offer a Lipid EQA Programme to keep your results in check.