Cholesterol Blood Work Flashcards
What is Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol measures the overall amount of cholesterol
in the blood, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
What is low value total cholesterol
Low total cholesterol levels may indicate malnutrition, malabsorption, liver disease, hyperthyroidism, or certain genetic conditions, and can be associated with an increased risk of hormonal imbalances, depression, or other health issues due to insufficient cholesterol for essential bodily functions
What is high value total cholesterol
High total cholesterol levels may indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, often due to high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, poor diet, genetic factors, or metabolic conditions, necessitating further evaluation and potential lifestyle or medical interventions
What is Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol. It carries cholesterol to cells and, if levels are too high, can contribute to the buildup of plaque in arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease
What is low value LDL
Low LDL cholesterol levels may indicate an overactive thyroid, certain
inflammatory conditions, or malnutrition and can sometimes be associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer or hemorrhagic stroke, though it is generally considered beneficial for reducing cardiovascular risk
What is high value LDL
High LDL cholesterol levels indicate an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, as LDL cholesterol can accumulate in the walls of arteries, leading to plaque formation, reduced blood flow, and potential heart attacks or strokes
What is High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
HDL cholesterol is often referred to as “good” cholesterol.
It helps remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream, reducing the risk of arterial plaque formation and heart disease. Functional medicine views HDL levels as crucial for cardiovascular health, with higher levels associated with lower risk
What is low value HDL
Low HDL cholesterol levels suggest an increased risk of cardiovascular
disease, as HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and protect against plaque buildup in the arteries
What is high value HDL
High HDL cholesterol levels are generally considered protective
against heart disease, as HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from the
bloodstream; however, extremely high levels may be associated with certain health risks or underlying conditions and should be evaluated in the context of overall cardiovascular health
What are Triglycerides
Triglycerides serve as a primary form of energy storage in the body, stored in adipose tissue and released as fatty acids when energy is
needed; they are also crucial for insulating and protecting organs, and play a role in transporting fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) throughout the bloodstream
What is low value triglycerides
Low triglyceride levels may indicate malnutrition, malabsorption
disorders, hyperthyroidism, or certain genetic conditions, and can also result from a very low-fat diet or the use of specific medications, reflecting an alteration in lipid metabolism
What is high value triglycerides
High triglyceride levels may indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and can result from factors such as poor diet, obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, alcohol consumption, or certain genetic conditions, reflecting a disruption in the metabolism of fats
What is Apo-A-1 (Apolipoprotein A-1)
Apo-A-1 is a component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. It plays a crucial role in reverse cholesterol transport, helping remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. Functional medicine considers Apo-A-1 crucial for reverse cholesterol transport and cardiovascular health
What is low value Apo-A-1
Low Apo-A-1 levels may indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as Apo-A-1 is a key component of HDL cholesterol, which helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and protect against plaque buildup in the arteries
What is high value Apo-A-1
High Apo-A-1 levels typically indicate a favorable lipid profile with
increased levels of HDL cholesterol, which is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and improved heart health
What is Apo-B (Apolipoprotein B)
Apo-B is a component of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. It reflects the number of LDL particles in the blood. Functional medicine views Apo-B as reflective of LDL particle number and a marker of atherogenicity
What is low value Apo-B
Low Apo-B levels may suggest a reduced number of atherogenic
lipoproteins, such as LDL particles, which could be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease but may also indicate malabsorption, malnutrition, or certain genetic lipid disorders
What is high value Apo-B
High Apo-B levels indicate an increased number of atherogenic
lipoprotein particles, which are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke
What is Lp(a) (Lipoprotein(a))
Lp(a), or lipoprotein(a), is a type of lipoprotein particle that
consists of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) molecule attached to a unique protein called apolipoprotein(a). Elevated levels of Lp(a) in the blood are considered a genetic risk factor
for cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke, as Lp(a) can promote plaque buildup in arteries and has proinflammatory and prothrombotic properties
What is low value lipoprotein(a)
Low levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] are generally considered favorable, as they are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke, given that Lp(a) is a genetic risk factor for atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular conditions
What is high value Lp(a)
High levels of Lp(a), or lipoprotein(a), indicate an increased risk of
cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke, as Lp(a) contributes to the buildup of plaque in arteries and is largely influenced by genetic factors.
What is Small Dense LDL Cholesterol
Small dense LDL cholesterol refers to a subfraction of LDL
particles that are smaller and denser. These particles are believed to be more atherogenic, meaning they may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis more effectively than
larger LDL particles
What is low value sdLDL-C
Low levels of small dense LDL cholesterol (sdLDL-C) are generally
considered favorable, as they indicate a lower risk of atherosclerosis and
cardiovascular disease, given that sdLDL-C particles are more likely to penetratemarterial walls and contribute to plaque formation
What is high value sdLDL-C
High levels of small dense LDL cholesterol (sdLDL-C) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as these smaller, denser particles are more prone to penetrate the arterial wall and contribute to plaque buildup, inflammation, and atherosclerosis
