Lipid profile

What is a lipid profile?

Lipid profile is a blood test used for determining the concentration of:

• total cholesterol,
• HDL cholesterol,
• serum triglycerides,
• and calculating the LDL cholesterol content.

Who should do the lipid profile test?

• The test should particularly be done by individuals who smoke, suffer from obesity, lead an inactive lifestyle, and have a family history of circulatory diseases.
• Individuals with a high risk of circulatory diseases, e.g. patients with diabetes, arterial hypertension, chronic renal disease, and chronic inflammatory conditions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis).
• Individuals with genetic predisposition to increased cholesterol levels.

Too high cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction or stroke, i.e. the two most common causes of death amongst the Polish population.

What is cholesterol?

It is a fat compound comprising the cell membranes and necessary for the production of steroid hormones, vitamin D and bile acids. Cholesterol supports the functioning of the bran and nerve cells. As a component of bile, it also helps to digest fats. The human body produces cholesterol itself, but we also take it in with food. Therefore, excessive amounts of cholesterol also deposit in the walls of blood vessels, thereby hindering the transport of oxygen and nutrients to cells. Too much cholesterol may lead to total obstruction of the cardiac artery, which will cut off the blood flow and cause myocardial infarction. Blocking the arteries that supply blood to the brain will result in stroke.

How often should the lipid profile test be done?

• women over the age of 25 years – every 5 years,
• men – every 2-3 years,
• all individuals over the age of 50 years – every 2 years (unless otherwise recommended by a physician).

A one-off lipid check-up is also recommended in individuals who have attained the age of 18 years.

Lipid profile test

The course of blood collection:

• Collecting a blood sample into an EDTA test tube according to the standard procedure of blood collection, disinfecting the skin, placing a tourniquet and applying pressure at the collection site.
• The blood collection takes from a few to a few dozen seconds. The entire test lasts a few minutes.
• In the event of improper preparation for the blood test, the results will not be fully reliable.
• Blood should be collected in the morning.

Would you like to have your blood taken at home? Purchase the At-Home Blood Collection service.

Preparation before the test:

• Do not drink alcohol for 2-3 days before the test.
• Refrain from drinking coffee and tea for at least 12 hours before blood collection.
• If possible, eliminate any sources of stress.

Patient’s preparation for the test – on the day of blood collection:

• Patients should be on an empty stomach, which means that no meals can be consumed for about 12 hours before the test.
• They are allowed to drink non-sparkling water in the morning, but not more than a glass.
• Where possible, the test should be performed before patients take their morning dose of medicines, unless their physician instructs otherwise.
• Before the test, patients should remain at rest for 10-15 minutes (in a sitting position).
• Physical exercise, including moderate effort, such as walking or climbing stairs, may alter the values of laboratory tests.

Lipid profile – test results

• Test results are available within 3 working days.
• It is possible to collect them at the reception desk of a selected centre.
• The results can be accessed online. For this to be possible, it is necessary to collect a password available at the reception desk of a selected centre.