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  • For Educational Purposes Only: This content is intended for educational reference and should not be used for clinical decision-making.
  • Not a Substitute for Professional Judgment: Always consult your local protocols, institutional guidelines, and supervising physicians.
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Panel Overview

The Lipid Panel (also called a Lipid Profile or Coronary Risk Panel) measures the different types of fats (lipids) in your blood, primarily cholesterol and triglycerides. It is one of the most important tools for assessing cardiovascular disease risk and guiding preventive treatment strategies.

Abnormal lipid levels are a major modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), including heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. This panel helps identify patients who may benefit from lifestyle modifications and lipid-lowering therapies such as statins.

Clinical Applications

  • Cardiovascular Risk Assessment: Primary screening tool for heart disease and stroke risk stratification
  • Treatment Monitoring: Evaluating effectiveness of statins, fibrates, and other lipid-lowering medications
  • Metabolic Syndrome Evaluation: Component of metabolic syndrome diagnosis alongside glucose, blood pressure, and waist circumference
  • Familial Hyperlipidemia Screening: Detecting genetic lipid disorders (familial hypercholesterolemia, familial combined hyperlipidemia)
  • Preventive Care: Routine screening recommended for adults age 20+ every 4-6 years (more frequently if high risk)

Lipid Panel Components

Total Cholesterol

Desirable: <200 mg/dL

Sum of all cholesterol types in blood. Elevated levels increase cardiovascular disease risk, but must be interpreted with HDL and LDL for complete risk assessment.

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LDL Cholesterol

Optimal: <100 mg/dL

"Bad cholesterol" that deposits in arterial walls causing atherosclerosis. Primary target of statin therapy and strongest predictor of cardiovascular events.

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HDL Cholesterol

Desirable: ≥40 mg/dL (M), ≥50 mg/dL (F)

"Good cholesterol" that removes cholesterol from arteries and transports it to liver for elimination. Higher levels are protective against heart disease.

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Triglycerides

Normal: <150 mg/dL

Most common type of fat in blood, derived from dietary fats and produced by liver. Elevated levels increase pancreatitis and cardiovascular disease risk.

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Non-HDL Cholesterol

Desirable: <130 mg/dL

Calculated value (Total Cholesterol minus HDL) representing all atherogenic lipoproteins. Useful when triglycerides are elevated or patient is non-fasting.

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