Testing For Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol tests, or how they are often called, fasting lipoprotein profile, are simple blood tests which measure the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

The two kinds of cholesterol are:

The good cholesterol or HDL. Its purpose is to avoid cholesterol accumulating in the arteries

The bad cholesterol or LDL, which is to blame for blockages of arteries.

It is forbidden to eat or drink (with the exception of water) when taking cholesterol tests, for 14 hours before the test, and not drink any alcohol for 48 hours in advance.

Another kind of test is used to determine the ratio between the total cholesterol level and the HDL. It is advised to take more than a simple test which measures the total amount of cholesterol. One must check for both types of cholesterol, HDL and LDL, not only the total amount of cholesterol, in order to know the ratio balance between good and bad cholesterol, to be able to determine the exact risks for coronary heart diseases and to know the persons exact medical condition.

This kind of cholesterol testing has been demonstrated to be accurate in knowing in advance the probability of coronary heart diseases, because it gives information about both levels of cholesterol, HDL and LDL, and the relation among the two levels of cholesterol.

In this kind of cholesterol level testing, only a few drops of blood are required in order to get the results. It can be performed very easily and almost anywhere.

The cholesterol testing is not suitable for:

People who use anticoagulants or hemophiliacs

Pregnant women because the blood tests can be affected by birth control or illness

Persons who take on a daily basis high doses of vitamin C (over 500mg), or those who use naproxen or are subscribed to drugs that contain acetaminophen, which must not take them with 4 hours prior to the testing

The test must not be after the expiration date or used in direct sunlight. The Total Only Cholesterol Test is another kind of cholesterol test, through which the concentration of cholesterol in the blood system is checked. A person's diet, drug use, diabetes mellitus, pregnancy or illness are known factors which can interfere with the cholesterol levels in the blood. It is mandatory to consult a doctor if the results to the cholesterol testing are high.