A lipid profile measures blood fats — total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, triglycerides, and related ratios — to assess heart disease risk and guide treatment decisions
- Total cholesterol:
- LDL (bad)
- HDL (good)
Why your doctor orders it
Doctors request a lipid profile to screen for cardiovascular risk, monitor treatment (statins or lifestyle changes), and evaluate metabolic health. Results help set targets for cholesterol and triglyceride levels
How to prepare for the test
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Fast for 10–12 hours before the test — most labs recommend an overnight fast for accurate triglyceride and LDL readings.
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Avoid alcohol for 24 hours — alcohol can temporarily raise triglycerides and skew results.