Cholesterol numbers

Cholesterol Numbers: How Does It Show The  State of Health?

The blood test signifying the cholesterol numbers is known as lipoprotein profile. Complete lipoprotein profile consists of cholesterol numbers including total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride (TG) levels. Cholesterol numbers are beneficial because they encode the level of different types of cholesterol in a quantifiable fashion. If it is not possible for you to find out the complete lipoprotein profile, understanding the numbers concerning total cholesterol level and HDL cholesterol level can offer you the essential idea about the status of the cholesterol content in your body. If your total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol numbers are more than 200mg/dL and less than 40mg/dL respectively, you should consult your doctor for a lipoprotein profile to be done.

Cholesterol numbers imply whether the individual is at risk for developing heart disease in recent days or not. For example, total cholesterol level less than 200mg/dL is desirable while 240mg/dL or higher is absolutely non-desirable and may pose a serious threat on health condition. On the other hand, the borderline condition is identified with the numbers lying between 200-239mg/dL.

For low density lipoprotein -or known as bad cholesterol-, the numbers are assigned into 5 categories - optimal, near optimal or above optimal, borderline high, high and very high. The categories are identified with Factors Influencing Cholesterol Numbers.

There are quite a few factors that can affect the cholesterol level in the body, hence the numbers. These are diet, age, gender, heredity, weight and physical activity. For women, the LDL level continues to rise in the post menopause phase. High blood cholesterol can be a familial characteristic. In such a case, the genetic structuring may lead to increasing amount of cholesterol production than normal. An healthy fat-free and cholesterol-free diet and regular exercise can benefit for not developing such complications.