What You Should Know About Cholesterol Testing
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On the one hand, people need cholesterol in their bodies to live. On the other hand, it is common knowledge that it has something to do with heart disease. Doctors and other medical professionals recommend that cholesterol testing be done on a regular basis. The next few paragraphs are intended to clarify thinking about this subject.
Without this key chemical, important cell membrane processes would not work, so it is found in all animal cells. Cells can synthesize it, and foods derived from animals almost always have some. Diet does not necessarily change the amount in the body, as cells will only make what they can't get from the digestion of food.
Heart disease and similar cardiovascular illnesses are commonly caused by plaques that can grow on arterial walls. Cholesterol is a significant component of these plaques, and the level in the blood affects their growth. However, it is found in the blood in several different forms, which do not all act the same. Packets called lipoproteins are used to transport it, since it is not very water soluble. Though this is somewhat controversial and still being researched, many think that there will be contrary consequences from the two major kinds of lipoproteins. High density lipoproteins (HDL) appear to possibly shrink plaques, or at least not make them grown. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) do appear to support plaque growth.
Some tests only show the total amount. Others allow for a breakout of how much is HDL and how much is LDL. Clearly, since HDL and LDL tend to have different effects, knowing separate measurements for the two gives more useful information than a combined total.
Almost all med labs do cholesterol testing. They require no food for the 12 hours before the blood is drawn. This is because eating during that time may cause products from digestion to be in the blood, making the readings too high.
Testing can be done at home with available kits. A drop of blood is put on a paper strip that was treated by the manufacturer. There may be a device to analyze the strip, but the inexpensive ones are meant to be interpreted visually, which can be hard to do with any precision. The accuracy of these kits seems to be dubious in many cases.
Some kits only have strips for the total amount. Others have additional strips for measuring HDL. If the total and the HDL are known, then the LDL is the difference. The strips tend to be fairly expensive. Refill kits including more strips are available for most of the tests.
Cholesterol testing should be done periodically, as elevated levels may not cause any symptoms for years. Your doctor can recommend a frequency based on an evaluation of your risk factors. It seems strange that though cholesterol is required for animal life, the LDL form seems to be the root cause of a number of health challenges.
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Author Resource:-
James Tien is an writer in the health niche. He recommends you check out Lower Cholesterol without Drugs and Triglycerides.
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By :
Jessie Stone
Submitted
2011-01-20 05:43:50 |
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