What Should Be The Desired/Ideal Cholesterol Level

The total cholesterol level should be 200mg/dL or less. It is recommended that the patient talk with his doctor if his cholesterol level is more than this mark. The LDL values should be less than the 100mg/dL mark, the HDL values ought to be greater than or equal to 40 mg/dL, and the triglycerides level should be less than 150 mg/dL.

What Do The Test Results Mean?

In a routine setting of screen testing for risk, the cholesterol blood tests are broadly grouped into three risk categories:

Desirable

Where the cholesterol level is below 200mg/dL (5.18mmol/L), and which reflects a low risk for heart disease.

Borderline High

Where a cholesterol level of 200 to 240mg/dL( 5.18 to 6.22 mmol/L) reflects moderate risk of heart disease. The doctor may consider ordering for a lipid profile test to determine whether the high cholesterol is bad (that is, high LDL) or good (that is, high HDL). His further action would depend on the results of the lipid profile test, and on any other risk factors that the patient may be having.

High Risk

Where the cholesterol level above 240 mg/dL( 6.22 mmol/L). Here, the doctor may order for a lipid profile test in order to determine the cause of high cholesterol. Once the cholesterol test results come in, the appropriate treatments would be prescribed. In such a treatment setting, the amount of cholesterol testing would decrease as the doctor decides what should be the final target value. The target value is often based on the LDL levels in the blood.

Indeed, home cholesterol tests, aided by the cholesterol test kit, have gone a long way in helping the individual have a cholesterol blood test with a fair amount of accuracy. The patient could measure his/her risk for heart disease with the help of this cholesterol self test , and the cholesterol test results could go a long way in determining and maintaining his future state of health.

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