Blood Chemistry 101 from a Functional Medicine Perspective
- Introduction to Blood Test Analysis
- Understanding Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Insight into Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Studying Vitamin D
- Inflammation Markers - CRP
- Decoding Thyroid Markers
- Iron Markers
- Lipid Panel Assessment
- Micronutrient Markers: Folate, Vitamin B12
- Micronutrient Markers: Zinc, Copper, Magnesium
- Other Key Blood Chemistry Markers
- Implementing Lifestyle Recommendations for Improved Markers
- Pulling It All Together – Your Personal Health Assessment
Lipid Panel Assessment
Interpreting High and Low Lipid Ranges
Sterol biosynthesized by all animal cells which is an essential structural component of all animal cell membranes.
Understanding your lipid panel results is crucial for maintaining good health and preventing diseases. The lipid panel is a group of tests that measure the amount of certain fats and cholesterol in your blood. These tests are used to determine the risk of coronary heart disease.
Understanding Lipid Panel Ranges
The lipid panel includes measurements of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. Each of these components has a normal, borderline, and high range.
- Total Cholesterol: Normal levels are considered to be less than 200 mg/dL. Borderline high is between 200-239 mg/dL, and high is 240 mg/dL and above.
- LDL Cholesterol: For LDL, the 'bad' cholesterol, optimal levels are less than 100 mg/dL. Near optimal is 100-129 mg/dL, borderline high is 130-159 mg/dL, high is 160-189 mg/dL, and very high is 190 mg/dL and above.
- HDL Cholesterol: With HDL, the 'good' cholesterol, higher levels are better. Low HDL is considered to be less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women. High HDL is 60 mg/dL and above, which is considered protective against heart disease.
- Triglycerides: Normal triglyceride levels are less than 150 mg/dL. Borderline high is 150-199 mg/dL, high is 200-499 mg/dL, and very high is 500 mg/dL and above.
Health Implications of High and Low Levels
High levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol can lead to a buildup of cholesterol and other substances in the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Low levels of HDL cholesterol can also increase the risk of heart disease. HDL is considered 'good' cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from your bloodstream.
High levels of triglycerides can increase the risk of heart disease. Elevated triglycerides may be a sign of a condition that contributes to heart disease, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Considering Individual Health Context
While these ranges provide a general guideline, it's important to remember that what's considered 'normal' can vary depending on individual health context. For example, if you have a family history of heart disease, you may need to aim for lower total and LDL cholesterol levels than what's generally considered normal.
In conclusion, understanding your lipid panel results can help you make informed decisions about your lifestyle and diet. However, these results should not be viewed in isolation. It's important to consider them as part of a broader picture of your overall health.