HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. It's also sometimes called "good" cholesterol. Lipoproteins are made of fat and protein. They carry cholesterol, triglycerides, and other fats, called lipids, in the blood from other parts of your body to your liver.
This article discusses the blood test used to measure the level of HDL cholesterol in your blood.
See also:
High-density lipoprotein test
How the test is performedA blood sample is needed.
Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.
Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
How to prepare for the testYou may be told not to eat or drink anything for 9 - 12 hours before the test.
The health care provider may tell you to stop taking certain drugs before the procedure.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedThis test is done to check the level of cholesterol in your blood and to see if you are at high risk for a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular problem. Studies of both men and women have shown that the higher your HDL, the lower your risk of coronary artery disease. This is why HDL is sometimes referred to as "good" cholesterol.
The main function of HDL is to help soak up excess cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels and carry it to the liver, where it breaks down and is removed from the body in the bile.
The laboratory test for HDL actually measures how much cholesterol is in each high-density lipoprotein particle, not the actual amount of HDL in the blood.
Normal ValuesIn general, your risk for Heart disease, including a heart attack, increases if your HDL cholesterol level is less than 40 mg/dL.
An HDL 60 mg/dL or above helps protect against heart disease.
Women tend to have higher HDL cholesterol than men.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanLow HDL levels may be a sign that you have an increased risk for atherosclerotic heart disease.
A low HDL level may also be associated with:
There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
HDL may be done as part of an overall lipid profile, where "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides will also be measured. The combined information gathered from all of these tests may help your risk of heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
Your health care provider may recommend therapy if your risk is found to be high. Regular exercise can increase HDL levels by several points.
ReferencesExpert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Executive summary of the third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) expert panel on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). JAMA. 2001;285:2486-2497. Updated 2004.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for lipid disorders in adults: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); 2008 Jun.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Lipid Disorders in Children. US Preventive Services;Task Force recommendation statement. Pediatrics. 2007;120(1):e215-9.
Semenkovich CF. Disorders of lipid metabolism. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 217.
red
Everyone has HDL, or High-density lipoprotein, cholesterol. HDL is actually good cholesterol and can help protect your heart. To check your HDL levels, a doctor will administer a blood test, usually while fasting. It's recommended to have the test done at least every five years. Over 40 mg/dL for men and over 50 mg/dL for women is considered "good."
The codes LDL, HDL and VLDL are all related to cholesterol screening and blood tests. These measure the lipoprotein in the blood. There are many benefits to having this test done.
HDL also known as High Density Lipoprotein levels are a medical term to check your cholesterol level. They are measured in millimoles. This is done by a blood test in your doctor's office.
This is not a problem, on contrary this is very good, because HDL levels must be higher than 50 as yours. One advice: Please check the references of the lab you did the test to be sure.
Lipid panels test for Cholesterol, Triglycerides, LDL (bad), and HDL (good).
HDL is the cholesterol that is BAD for you?
if my HDL is 206, what does that mean?
CPT 80061 is the code for a lipid profile (or lipid panel).A blood test to determine the values for total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and often the mathematical ratio for total cholesterol/HDL .
HDL System happened in 2006.
You will need to go to the doctors office and make an appointment to have you blood drawn and then you will get the results. Depending on where they take blood it might be in a hospital or a clinic.
HDL= High Density Lipoprotein (good cholesterol)