How to pass a blood test for cholesterol

Recently there has been a lot of talk about cholesterol among doctors and patients. Why does the body need it, and does it make sense to monitor its level in the blood, many do not know the answers to these questions. But, nevertheless, it was not for nothing that such a stir appeared - recent studies have shown that not only an increased, but also a lowered level of this substance leads to grave consequences.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol, also known as cholesterol, is fat that forms in the liver and is responsible for many functions in the human body. Each cell of our tissues is shrouded in a layer of cholesterol, which plays the role of a metabolic regulator and a producer of hormones.

Therefore, this substance is extremely important for the normal functioning of our body, and its low and elevated level indicates the presence of any diseases.

What functions does cholesterol:

• forms and protects the cell walls;
• participates in the development of female and male sex hormones;
• helps produce bile;
• produces vitamin D;
• helps the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins;
• serves as a protective sheath of nerve fibers.

If you think that cholesterol should not be contained in the body at all, then you are deeply mistaken. Without it, it is impossible to maintain health and beauty. A high figure is considered if its content in mmol per 1 liter is more than 6.2.

What are the cholesterol levels?

The female and male bodies are very different from each other, so they will have different cholesterol standards. Also, the allowable level depends on age. To make it easier to navigate in the indicators, it is better to refer to the tables.

LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein):

• Under 25 years for men, the index is from 1.60 to 3.40 for women 1.50 to 3.55.
• 25-35 years for men indicator from 1.80 to 4.30 for women 1.80 to 4
• 35-45 years for men indicator from 2.10 to 4.80 for women 1.90 to 4.45
• 45-55 years for men indicator from 2.30 to 5.10 for women 2.05 to 4.80
• 55-65 years for men the indicator is from 2.30 to 5.25 for women 2.30 to 5.45
• 65 years and older for men indicator from 2.55 to 5.45 for women 2.40 to 5.70

HDL cholesterol (high density lipoproteins):

• Under 25 years for men, the index is from 0. to 1.60 for women, 0.85 to 2.05
• 25-35 years for men, the index from 0.70 to 1.60 for women 0.90 to 2.15
• 35-45 years for men indicator from 0.70 to 1.60 for women 0.90 to 2.10
• 45-55 years for men indicator from 0.70 to 1.60 for women 0.90 to 2.25
• 55-65 years for men, the indicator is from 0.70 to 1.85 for women 0.95 to 2.35
• 65 years and older for men, the index from 0.80 to 1.95 for women 0.85 to 2.40

However, for each organism there is an individual norm of cholesterol level, therefore the data in the tables only tentatively show possible deviations. In order to know which figure is acceptable for you, doctors recommend donating blood for cholesterol at least once every six months, but more often.

General requirements for blood testing

In order for the test results to be reliable and to indicate the correct diagnosis, it is necessary to know simple rules. Their observance will help the doctor to prescribe adequate treatment if necessary.

1. Acceptance of blood is strictly on an empty stomach.The last food intake should be about 12 hours before the procedure, but not more than 14, otherwise the body will starve and fall into a state of stress.
2. You can drink non-carbonated water or unsweetened tea during this period.
3. The day before the analysis, cancel workouts, alcohol intake, trips to the bath and sauna. Also try not to do hard physical work.
4. If you use drugs or dietary supplements, notify your doctor in advance. He will decide on their temporary cancellation or take it into account when interpreting the received data.
5. Do not enter the treatment room as soon as you come from the street. Sit 10-15 minutes on the bench.
6. If other procedures are scheduled for this day, do them last.

Each analysis has its own nuances, so when the doctor writes out a referral, be sure to ask whether you can drink tea or dinner, it happens that this will affect certain indicators.

Preparing to donate blood for cholesterol

80 percent of the cholesterol contained in the blood is produced by the body, the remaining 20 come from food. Therefore, it is important to follow the following recommendations before the blood test:

1. Two days before blood sampling, exclude fatty, smoked food, ready-to-cook foods, chips and other harmful products from the diet.
2. In the morning it is necessary to take an analysis on an empty stomach (at least 8 hours have passed since the last meal).
3. If it is necessary to re-analyze, give it at the same time and in the same place as the previous one, since different laboratories may use reagents of not the same degree of sensitivity and produce results with errors.
4. Do not smoke at least 1 hour before the procedure.

Note that sometimes doctors ask patients for a normal life to get an accurate picture of the blood condition. Be sure to clarify this fact before analyzing.

Cholesterol Tests

Cholesterol enters the bloodstream through molecules called lipoproteins. To identify which of the three types of these compounds is beyond the norm, three different analyzes are prescribed:

1. LDL (low density molecules). The responsibility of these lipoproteins is to deliver cholesterol to the blood. If too much of them is produced, the level of lipids rises, leading to vascular and heart diseases.For this reason, LDL is called “bad cholesterol.”
2. HDL (high density molecules). They regulate the body's work by returning excess cholesterol back to the liver. In the people carries the name "good cholesterol".
3. Triglycerides. They enter the body with food and in the case of excessive amounts form fatty deposits. They are trying to get rid of them during diets.

The name "good" and "bad cholesterol", of course, conditionally. Each of them performs a specific function in the body and with an excess or deficiency can harm health.

Elevated cholesterol

Everyone knows what threatens high cholesterol in the blood. It forms plaques that limit or prevent blood flow in the vessels. This leads to serious consequences, such as heart attack, stroke, sudden death syndrome, pulmonary embolism.

Therefore, it is especially important to monitor this indicator for people suffering from nicotine addiction, with a diagnosis of obesity, with high blood pressure, with diseases of the cardiovascular system, men and women over 40 years of age.

Is it necessary to lower high cholesterol you must tell the doctor.Sometimes there is no urgent need for it, as it is responsible for some vital functions. In addition to medicines, food can help regulate lipid levels.

Products that lower cholesterol include:

• avocado;
• olive oil;
• fish fat;
• red and blue berries;
• cereals;
• flax seeds and oil;
• legumes;
• garlic;
• cabbage;
• curcumin;
• greenery;
• Red wine;
• apricots

These products are available to everyone. And if you replace junk food with healthy, you will soon notice how to lose weight, gain strength and health. So affects the body lowering cholesterol in the blood.

Low cholesterol

Low lipid levels are no less dangerous than high. If for a long time not to make attempts to return this indicator to normal, then you can get a lot of diseases. For example, when it is in short supply, hormonal disruptions occur, vitamins A, K, and E cease to be absorbed, vitamin D is produced.

In addition, the walls of nerve cells and blood vessels weaken. During a lack of cholesterol, there is a decline in strength, muscle pain, and thinning of the bone tissue.Problems such as infertility, osteoporosis, nervous sensitivity and depression, diabetes, indigestion and others appear.

Of the folk remedies best helps carrot diet. It includes sufficient consumption of this vegetable, preparation of juices and salads from it.

The level of cholesterol in the blood is one of the main indicators of human health. It must be monitored in the same way as other analyzes. If you always donate blood in a timely manner, you can prevent diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous system and other problems.

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