Total Cholesterol Test in Nirman Vihar, Delhi

Cholesterol is a waxy substance made by the liver and also found in animal foods. The body needs it to build cell membranes and hormones, but too much in the blood, particularly "bad" LDL cholesterol, builds up in artery walls and raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. The total cholesterol test measures all the cholesterol carried by LDL, HDL and other particles.

A total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL is desirable, 200–239 mg/dL is borderline high, and 240 mg/dL or more is high. However, the total alone can mislead, because a person with high HDL may have a high total but low risk, while someone with low HDL and high LDL may have a normal total but high risk. Doctors therefore rely on the full lipid profile, including LDL, HDL and triglycerides.

High cholesterol usually has no symptoms, so testing is the only way to know. Causes include diet high in saturated and trans fats, obesity, inactivity, diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney disease, certain medicines and genetics.