Today we have to figure out how to get tested for cholesterol. This process, as a rule, does not cause many questions and problems. Modern medical laboratories offer a wide range of tests to check cholesterol in the human body. In addition, we will get acquainted with the norms of the content of this substance in the blood of men and women. Cholesterol levels usually rise with age. And its concentration must be controlled. Otherwise, the body may be seriously damaged. So everyone should know about cholesterol and tests for it.
Cholesterol is…
What substance are we talking about? What is it responsible for?
Cholesterol is an element involved in the formation of cell membranes. This substance plays an important role in the production of hormones in the human body (cortisol, testosterone, estrogen). In its pure form, a person has little cholesterol, mainly it is present in the form of lipoproteins. These elements with a low density are called bad cholesterol, and with a high density - good.
Today, many people have to think abouthow to get tested for cholesterol. In particular, due to the fact that this component can harm he alth. It is the main constituent of atherosclerotic plaques.
Interestingly, cholesterol is mainly produced by the liver. People get only 20% of this substance from food. However, in order not to face a dangerous disease of the arteries, it is necessary to pass tests for cholesterol.
Risk groups
As a rule, he althy people rarely think about complex diagnostics of the body. Usually, in the absence of ailments, no one will go to take a cholesterol test. But people with hypertension (high blood pressure) or with cardiovascular diseases should regularly conduct this study.
Today, you need to think about what cholesterol tests to take:
- smoking;
- overweight people (obese);
- hypertension patients;
- for diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- presence of heart failure;
- sedentary people;
- for men over 40;
- women after menopause;
- to the elderly, regardless of age.
There are different cholesterol tests. Further, we will talk in more detail about these studies and their decoding.
Methods for checking cholesterol
How to get tested for cholesterol? The answer to this question directly depends on what kind of research will be conducted.
Cholesterol testsdistinguish the following:
- quick test;
- total cholesterol;
- high-density lipoprotein;
- low density lipoprotein;
- triglycides;
- lipidogram.
The first type of study is most widely used in home diagnostics. In other words, test strips for studying the amount of cholesterol in the body are used most often at home.
All of these studies are based on the study of human blood. Blood for cholesterol is usually taken from a finger. In some cases, venous blood may be taken.
About the rules of preparation
What is the name of the cholesterol test? Lipidogram. This is what a comprehensive blood test for cholesterol will be called. As a result, total cholesterol, high and low density LPP will be displayed. This study is the most informative.
How to get tested for cholesterol? It is necessary to properly prepare for the process in order to reduce the likelihood of a false result. Regardless of which blood test is given, you must:
- Take biomaterial on an empty stomach. This will require not eating anything for 8-12 hours.
- Remove stress a few days before the study.
- Refuse fatty, s alty, sweet foods on the eve of blood donation.
- Do not consume alcohol or drugs for a few days before the test.
- If possible, refuse medications and hormonaldrugs.
In principle, this will be enough. Before taking blood, you need to sit in the hallway for a while. It is necessary to take tests in a calm state. Otherwise, the possibility of an error cannot be ruled out. Sometimes this phenomenon leads to bad results. In any case, it is now clear how to properly take a blood test for cholesterol.
Blood from a vein/finger
Now a little about how this or that research is carried out correctly. If we are talking about donating blood for cholesterol, then this diagnosis does not stand out.
If blood is taken from a finger, then it is preheated, after which it is pierced with a special needle and a few milliliters of biological material (about 5 ml) are taken. In the case of venous blood, the analysis is given differently - the upper part of the arm is pinched with a tourniquet. So that a vein protrudes on the elbow bend. A special needle with a flask is inserted into it. After inserting the needle, the tourniquet is removed - a sufficient amount of blood is drawn into the cone. Next, the needle, together with the collected biomaterial, is removed, and the injection site is tied with a bandage. The bandage from the hand is allowed to be removed after approximately 20-30 minutes.
Now it's clear which cholesterol tests are in the greatest demand. Blood sampling from a vein is the most common option for collecting biomaterial. It is practically painless.
Test strips
However, progress does not stand still. The thing is that in the modern world you can find manyvarious devices for home express diagnostics. Cholesterol testing is no exception.
Pharmacy sells test strips to determine cholesterol and blood sugar. Usually this item is represented by a small electronic device with a screen and special test strips. They need to apply some blood (from a finger) and then insert them into the receiver. After a few seconds of waiting, information about the cholesterol content will appear on the screen. Quite often, such diagnostics are used at home by older people. Finger prick and blood collection needle included with reader.
Norms for women
And how to decipher the studies under study? What are the norms of cholesterol in women and men? As already mentioned, it all depends on age. Therefore, it is impossible to say unequivocally how much cholesterol is contained in the blood of he althy people.
The table below will help you better understand this issue.
All of the above indicators indicate that women ideally maintain cholesterol levels throughout their lives at the same level. And only after menopause, the concentration of the substance begins to increase. Even in small children, cholesterol can be detected in the blood, but in small quantities.
The proposed table of cholesterol norms in women by age will help to correctly decipher the lipid profile. With her helpevery girl will be able to understand what kind of cholesterol and in what quantities should be contained in the body.
Another feature of evaluating the results of a blood test for cholesterol in women is the consideration of numerous factors that can affect the body. Namely:
- season;
- menstrual cycle day;
- pregnancy;
- presence of chronic diseases;
- malignant tumors.
Norms for men
In men, according to doctors, cholesterol increases with age throughout life. What regulations should I pay attention to?
In an adult male, cholesterol (total) is contained in the range from 3.6 to 2.52 mmol / l., "bad" cholesterol - from 2.25 to 4.82, HDL - from 0.7 to 1, 7.
In general, for men, the table of blood cholesterol norms by age looks like the one shown in the photo below.
This plate illustrates the change in blood cholesterol in men. Indeed, with age, the content of this substance increases.
Evaluation of results
When testing blood for cholesterol, you need to pay attention to triglycerides. They play an important role in metabolism. Their level in men and women is approximately the same. It is necessary to focus on the following indicators:
- norm - up to 2 mmol/l.;
- allowable value - up to 2, 2 mmol/l.;
- high rate - from 2.3 to 5.6 mmol/l.;
- very high - from 5.7 mmol/L.
In some tests there is a so-called atherogenic coefficient. This is the ratio of bad and good cholesterol. Calculated by the formula: CAT=(total cholesterol - HDL) / HDL.
the following indicators are considered the norm of the coefficient:
- from 2 to 2, 8 - for people 20-30 years old;
- 3, 35 - people over 30;
- 4 and more - for ischemia.
Results
Now it is clear how a detailed blood test for cholesterol is performed. This study can be done both in any clinic and in private medical laboratories. The preparation for the study was also discussed. This process should no longer be difficult.
Preparing for a cholesterol test is not that difficult. Usually, laboratories ask you to come to take biological material on an empty stomach and not drink alcohol before taking the test. Nothing special or incomprehensible!
In men and women, cholesterol in the blood is contained in different concentrations. In the beautiful half of society, it begins to grow only after menopause, and in the strong - throughout life. This is quite normal.
Uncontrolled rise and fall of cholesterol in the blood is observed in people with kidney or liver disease. In case of malnutrition, as a rule, the studied component increases. To reduce it, you must follow a special diet. It's actually not as difficult as it seems.
