Question

Explain why a physician would be interested in lipid analysis services from a lab for his/her patients and explain the clinical significance. BE SPECIFIC. DON'T COPY PASTE FROM GOOGLE. AND BE SPECIFIC PLEASE! THANK YOU

Answer 1

A.   Total Cholesterol

Elevated levels of cholesterol (more than 200 mg/dL in adults and 170 mg/dL in children) indicate higher risk for coronary heart disease (CHD).

Cholesterol levels help determine the patient's risk towards underlying heart disease. It also helps to determine whether a patient is responding to the treatment for lowering cholesterol levels.

B.    Triglycerides

Increased levels of triglycerides in the serum i.e. above 400mg/dL is associated with CHD, CAD and peripheral atherosclerosis risk. Very High (> 1000 mg/dL) triglyceride levels can result in pancreatitis and should be taken care of.

C.     High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol

Coronary risk increases markedly as the HDL concentration decreases from 40 to 30 mg/dL. Low serum concentrations of HDL-cholesterol show's patients risk for CHD.  

D.     LDL- cholesterol

LDL- cholesterol levels above 130 mg/dL in adults and 110 mg/dL in children will contribute in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. LDL measurements also indicate whether the medications prescribed for the treatment for lower LDL- cholesterol concentrations are showing progressing results or not.