Blood Lipid Levels: Function & Diseases

Blood lipid levels provide information about the concentration of cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is a vital substance, as it is found in all cell membranes of the human body. However, too high a concentration can lead to health problems, in the worst case to a stroke.

What are blood lipid levels?

Blood levels and a blood test are used by doctors to further diagnose various diseases. In the analysis of blood fat, the concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides are measured. LDL cholesterol is also called the “bad cholesterol” because its value is the actual risk factor for many vascular diseases. HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, is considered more of a protective factor and is therefore often called “good cholesterol”. The abbreviation LDL stands for “low density lipoprotein”, while HDL stands for “high density lipoprotein”. Lipoproteins are, in simple terms, compositions of fat and protein particles that are responsible for transporting non-water soluble fats and cholesterol in the blood. LDL ensure that cholesterol, which is produced by the body itself, is transported from the liver to the tissues, while HDL are responsible for cholesterol metabolism. This means that the excess cholesterol are transported by HDL to the liver, protecting the organism from vascular diseases.

Measure and examine blood lipid levels (healthy and diseased blood lipid levels).

Blood is drawn from the patient to analyze cholesterol levels. It is important for accurate determination of blood lipid levels that one has not eaten anything or drunk coffee or milk for 12 to 14 hours before the blood draw, as blood lipid levels can be elevated after a meal. It is also important that the patient has not consumed alcoholic beverages for at least three days prior to the blood draw. Physical exertion should also not have occurred until a few hours before the blood sample is taken, as this also modifies the measured values. The level of blood lipids is strongly dependent on the sex and age of the person tested. The values reflect lifestyle habits, but also hereditary predispositions. There are different units of measurement in different parts of Germany. In the West, values are given in mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter), while in the East the unit used is mmol/l (millimoles per liter). 1 mmol/l corresponds to 38.67 mg/dl, 1 mg/dl is 0.02586 mmol/l. In Germany, the average cholesterol level of people between the ages of 35 and 65, regardless of gender, is around 236 mg/dl or 6.1 mmol/l). Most people, namely about 70 percent, have a value between 190 and 280 mg/dl.

Diseases and disorders

Determining cholesterol levels is necessary to determine how much risk you have for blood vessel disease. Cholesterol levels play a major role in determining diseases such as arteriosclerosis (calcification of the arteries), angina pectoris (also known as heart attack) and apoplexy (stroke or cerebral apoplexy), circulatory disorders of the limbs, and kidney damage. The risk here is primarily posed by LDL cholesterol. Blood lipid levels are determined to assess the risk of vascular calcification (risk of atherosclerosis) or the risk of a heart attack. In addition, the HDL and LDL values are measured for control purposes during medically induced lipid-lowering therapy. Blood lipid levels increase (see also Elevated Blood Lipids) as a result of certain diseases, including hypothyroidism, diabetes, chronic kidney failure, biliary obstruction, pituitary growth hormone increase, and liver disease. Elevated liver levels are related to certain lifestyle habits. These include obesity and anorexia. Certain medications, such as cortisone, androgens (hormones), some beta blockers, cyclosporine, and diuretic medications, can also raise blood lipid levels. The most common type of cholesterol disease is polygenic hypercholesterolemia. A cholesterol elevation of more than 200 mg/dl falls into this category. People under the age of 55 in particular are at risk of suffering a heart attack if they have hypercholesterolemia.Effective preventive measures against elevated cholesterol levels include maintaining a normal weight over the long term or reducing body weight, as well as sports activities or generally plenty of exercise in the fresh air. In addition, a diet should include low-cholesterol, low-fat and high-fiber nutrients. In questionable cases, elevated blood lipid levels can be treated with medications that have a cholesterol-lowering effect.