Short answer: A lipid panel (lipid profile, cholesterol test) measures the fats carried in your blood: total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (often called 'bad' cholesterol), HDL cholesterol ('good' cholesterol) and triglycerides. Doctors use it, together with other factors such as blood pressure, smoking and family history, to estimate cardiovascular risk.
At a glance
| Measures | Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides; sometimes non-HDL and ApoB |
|---|---|
| Units | mg/dL (US) or mmol/L (Europe); 1 mmol/L = 38.67 mg/dL for cholesterol |
| LOINC | 2093-3 (total), 2089-1 (LDL), 2085-9 (HDL), 2571-8 (triglycerides) |
| Fasting | Often no longer required; triglycerides are the line most affected |
| Read with | Blood pressure, smoking, age, family history: risk is estimated, not read off one line |
| Keep | Each line with the date; targets are set by the doctor |
What the test measures
Cholesterol travels in the blood inside particles called lipoproteins. The panel reports:
- Total cholesterol: all the cholesterol in the sample.
- HDL cholesterol: the cholesterol in high-density lipoproteins.
- LDL cholesterol: the cholesterol in low-density lipoproteins. Most labs calculate it from the other three values (for example with the Friedewald or Martin-Hopkins formula); some measure it directly. The two are coded differently, and the method is printed on the report.
- Triglycerides: another kind of fat, which rises after a meal.
Some reports add non-HDL cholesterol (total minus HDL) or ratios.
When it is ordered
Common reasons, which your doctor adapts to you:
- as part of a routine adult check-up;
- to estimate cardiovascular risk;
- to follow a treatment that lowers cholesterol.
How the result is written on the report
| Result on the report | LOINC code | Usual unit | Also seen as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | 2093-3 | mg/dL | mmol/L (×0.02586) |
| HDL cholesterol | 2085-9 | mg/dL | mmol/L (×0.02586) |
| LDL cholesterol, calculated | 13457-7 | mg/dL | mmol/L |
| LDL cholesterol, direct | 18262-6 | mg/dL | mmol/L |
| LDL cholesterol, method not stated | 2089-1 | mg/dL | mmol/L |
| Triglycerides | 2571-8 | mg/dL | mmol/L (×0.01129) |
For cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL), mmol/L = mg/dL × 0.02586 (or ÷ 38.67): 200 mg/dL ≈ 5.2 mmol/L. For triglycerides the factor is different: mmol/L = mg/dL × 0.01129 (or ÷ 88.57): 150 mg/dL ≈ 1.7 mmol/L. Using the cholesterol factor for triglycerides is a common mistake.
Reading your report
Targets depend on your overall risk and are set by your doctor; the range on the report is a general one. Calculated LDL is less reliable when triglycerides are very high, which is why some labs measure it directly. When you compare results over the years, compare the same kind of LDL (calculated with calculated), in the same unit. Fasting is not always required any more; follow your lab's instructions.
Keeping the results in your record
Scan or photograph the report in Anpheros Daily: each value is read with its unit and the laboratory's reference range, you check it, and it is stored with its LOINC code as an HL7 FHIR Observation, a format used by many hospitals and national health systems. Results from different laboratories line up on one chart over time, and the lab unit converter helps when two reports use different units. Our guide on how to read lab results explains reference ranges and flags in general; the lab results guide for a new doctor shows how to share them.
What this page does not do
It explains what the test is and how the result is written. It does not interpret your result, diagnose or recommend treatment: the meaning of a value depends on your history, your other results and how the sample was taken, and that is your doctor's job.
Related pages
- HbA1c test
- Liver function tests
- How to measure blood pressure at home and keep readings your doctor can use
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast for a cholesterol test?
Not always. Many labs no longer require it, but triglycerides rise after a meal. Follow the instructions you were given.
What is the difference between LDL calculated and LDL direct?
Calculated LDL is derived from total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides; direct LDL is measured. They can differ slightly, and they have different LOINC codes.
How do I convert cholesterol from mg/dL to mmol/L?
Multiply by 0.02586 for cholesterol and by 0.01129 for triglycerides. The lab unit converter does both.
Why does my record show three different LDL codes?
Because the method matters: 13457-7 is calculated, 18262-6 is direct, and 2089-1 is used when the report does not say. Keeping the right code keeps the trend honest.
Try it in Anpheros Daily
Photograph your lab report and Anpheros Daily lines up each value with its reference range, so you can compare reports from different laboratories.
How it works in the app →
Anpheros builds a medical record that the patient controls and can share with any clinic, on an HL7 FHIR R4 platform, based in the EU. These guides help you understand and organise your health; they do not replace your doctor.
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