Diagnosis of High Cholesterol
Diagnostic Test list for High Cholesterol:
The list of medical tests
mentioned in various sources as
used in the diagnosis of High Cholesterol
includes:
High Cholesterol Diagnosis: Book Excerpts
Tests and diagnosis discussion for High Cholesterol:
CHECK YOUR CHOLESTEROL AND HEART DISEASE I.Q: NHLBI (Excerpt)
A total blood cholesterol level of under 200 mg/dL is
desirable and usually puts you at a lower risk for heart disease.
A blood cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL is high and increases your
risk of heart disease. If your cholesterol level is high, your
doctor will want to check your level of LDL-cholesterol ("bad"
cholesterol). A HIGH level of LDL-cholesterol increases your risk
of heart disease, as does a LOW level of HDL-cholesterol ("good"
cholesterol). An HDL-cholesterol level below 35 mg/dL is
considered a risk factor for heart disease. A total cholesterol
level of 200 239 mg/dL is considered borderline-high and usually
increases your risk for heart disease. All adults 20 years of age
or older should have their blood cholesterol level checked at least
once every 5 years. (Source: excerpt from CHECK YOUR CHOLESTEROL AND HEART DISEASE I.Q: NHLBI)
NHLBI Heart Disease & Women Are You At Risk: NHLBI (Excerpt)
Blood Cholesterol Levels
For Women Without Heart
Disease
|
Desirable
|
Borderline-High |
High |
| Total cholesterol |
Less than 200 |
200-239 |
240 and above |
| LDL cholesterol |
Less than 130 |
130-159 |
160 and above | |
(Source: excerpt from
NHLBI Heart Disease & Women Are You At Risk: NHLBI)
NHLBI Heart Disease & Women Are You At Risk: NHLBI (Excerpt)
Understanding the Numbers . A desirable total cholesterol level for
adults without heart disease is less than 200 mg/dL (or 200 milligrams per
deciliter of blood). A level of 240 mg/dL or above is considered "high" blood
cholesterol. But even levels in the "borderline-high" category (200-239 mg/dL)
increase the risk of heart disease.
HDL levels are interpreted differently than total cholesterol levels. The
lower your HDL level, the higher your heart disease risk. An HDL level of under
35 is a major risk factor for heart disease. A level of 60 or higher is
considered protective.
Total and HDL cholesterol are measured first. If these tests show any of the
following, your doctor will want to measure your LDL level as well: total
cholesterol of 240 mg/dL or above; total cholesterol of 200-239 mg/dL with two
or more other risk factors for heart disease; or HDL cholesterol of less than 35
mg/dL.
An LDL level below 130 mg/dL is desirable. LDL levels of 130-159 mg/dL are
borderline-high. Levels of 160 mg/dL or above are high. As with total
cholesterol, the higher your LDL number, the higher the risk. (Source: excerpt from NHLBI Heart Disease & Women Are You At Risk: NHLBI)
NHLBI Heart Disease & Women Are You At Risk: NHLBI (Excerpt)
Understanding the Numbers . Your goal should be to have an LDL
cholesterol of about 100 mg/dL or less, which is lower than for people who do
not have heart disease. Depending on what your LDL level is, your next steps
will be the following:
- If your LDL level is 100 mg/dL or less, you do not need to take specific
steps to lower your LDL. But you will need to have your level tested again in
1 year. In the meantime, you should closely follow a diet low in saturated fat
and cholesterol, maintain a healthy weight, be physically active, and not
smoke. You should also follow the specific recommendations of your doctor.
- If your LDL level is higher than 100 mg/dL, you will need a complete
physical examination to find out if you have a disease or condition that is
raising your cholesterol levels. Then you should take steps to lower your LDL
to 100 mg/dL or less: closely follow a low saturated fat, low cholesterol
diet, be physically active, lose excess weight, and take cholesterol-lowering
medicine, if prescribed. Of course, you also should avoid smoking.
If, in your doctor’s judgment, your LDL level starts out too much higher
than the LDL goal of 100 mg/dL or if your LDL level stays too high after
lifestyle changes, you will need to take medicine.
(Source: excerpt from
NHLBI Heart Disease & Women Are You At Risk: NHLBI)
NHLBI, High Blood Cholesterol What You Need to Know: NHLBI (Excerpt)
Everyone age 20 and older should have their cholesterol measured at least
once every 5 years. It is best to have a blood test called a "lipoprotein
profile" to find out your cholesterol numbers. This blood test is done after a
9- to 12-hour fast and gives information about your:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL (bad) cholesterol--the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage
in the arteries
- HDL (good) cholesterol--helps keep cholesterol from building up in the
arteries
- Triglycerides--another form of fat in your blood
If it is not possible to get a lipoprotein profile done, knowing your total
cholesterol and HDL cholesterol can give you a general idea about your
cholesterol levels. If your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL* or more or if your
HDL is less than 40 mg/dL, you will need to have a lipoprotein profile done. See
how your cholesterol numbers compare to the tables below.
| Total Cholesterol Level |
Category |
| Less than 200 mg/dL |
Desirable |
| 200-239 mg/dL |
Borderline High |
| 240 mg/dL and above |
High |
* Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of
cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood.
| LDL Cholesterol Level |
LDL-Cholesterol Category |
| Less than 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 and above |
Very high |
HDL (good) cholesterol protects against heart disease, so for HDL, higher
numbers are better. A level less than 40 mg/dL is low and is considered a major
risk factor because it increases your risk for developing heart disease. HDL
levels of 60 mg/dL or more help to lower your risk for heart disease.
Triglycerides can also raise heart disease risk. Levels that are borderline
high (150-199 mg/dL) or high (200 mg/dL or more) may need treatment in some
people. (Source: excerpt from NHLBI, High Blood Cholesterol What You Need to Know: NHLBI)
High Blood Cholesterol: NWHIC (Excerpt)
For all adults, a desirable total blood cholesterol level is less than
200 mg/dL. A level of 240 or above is considered high blood cholesterol.
But even levels in the "borderline-high category (200-239) boost the risk
of heart disease.
For a woman, the level of high density lipoprotein (or HDL, the
so-called "good" cholesterol) also affects heart disease risk. If your HDL
is less than 35, your risk of heart disease increases.
(Source: excerpt from High Blood Cholesterol: NWHIC)
Diagnosis of High Cholesterol: medical news summaries:
The following medical news items
are relevant to diagnosis and misdiagnosis issues for High Cholesterol:
Diagnostic Tests for High Cholesterol: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about diagnostis of High Cholesterol.
HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA:
Ask the Following Questions:
(Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
- What is the serum albumin? A decreased serum albumin associated with an increased cholesterol strongly suggests the nephrotic syndrome or liver disease. These two conditions may be further differentiated by the finding of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome.
- What is the free T
4
? Hypercholesterolemia associated with a low T
4
suggests myxedema.
- What is the triglyceride level? An elevated cholesterol coupled with a marked increase in the triglyceride is typical of type I and type II lipoproteinemia. Type IIB, type III, and type IV lipoproteinemias are associated with a high cholesterol but only mild increase of triglyceride. Oral contraceptive use, atherosclerosis, and xanthomatosis may present the same picture. These may be further differentiated by lipoprotein electrophoresis.
DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
A workup of hypercholesterolemia should include a CBC, urinalysis, chemistry panel, overnight refrigeration of plasma, free T
4
, TSH, and lipoprotein electrophoresis. If these tests suggest liver disease, liver function tests and liver biopsy may be indicated. If these tests suggest kidney disease, a nephrologist should be consulted for consideration of renal function tests or renal biopsy. A metabolic disease specialist or an endocrinologist may need to be consulted for further diagnostic evaluation and management.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, 2003
HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA:
Approach to the Diagnosis
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
One should look for a family history of lipoproteinemia as well as determine what drugs the patient is taking. On examination, one should look for tendon xanthomas. As mentioned above, lipoprotein electrophoresis should be done as well as a lipid profile and overnight refrigeration of plasma to look for lactescence (a sign of chylomicrons). An endocrinology consult will be helpful.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, 2007
HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA:
Approach to the Diagnosis
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)
One should look for a family history of lipoproteinemia as well as
determine what drugs the patient is taking. On examination, one should look
for tendon xanthomas. As mentioned above, lipoprotein electrophoresis should
be done as well as a lipid profile and overnight refrigeration of plasma to
look for lactescence (a sign of chylomicrons). An endocrinology consult will
be helpful.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, 2007
Remember that the persistence of primitive reflexes is a sign that there is damage to the central nervoussystem (CNS), specifically, a lack of high-level control necessitating a workup for cerebral palsy (CP):
The Diagnostic Workup for Cerebral Palsy
(Avoiding Common Pediatric Errors)
The diagnostic workup for CP included both laboratory and diagnostic radiologic studies, which are enumerated in Table 1.1. Neuroimaging studies
can help to evaluate structural brain damage and to determine those at risk
for CP. Data to support a definitive diagnosis of CP are lacking.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Avoiding Common Pediatric Errors, 2008
Learn the basics of high cholesterol, and it's consequences on the cardiovascular system.
Elevated blood lipids, including cholesterol, are frequently seen in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy. Listen as experts describe the problem,...
Elevated cholesterol can occur as a side effect from HIV treatments. Hear how one person with HIV steps up to the challenge of getting his...
For the 8 million Americans considered morbidly obese, health problems are virtually inevitable. But new procedures are helping people take the...
See full list of 34 related videos
» Next page: Signs of High Cholesterol
Rate This Website
What do you think about the features of this website?
Take our user survey and have your say:
Website User Survey
Medical Tools & Articles:
Next articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Forums & Message Boards
- Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
