Lipidogram - what is it? Decoding of blood lipidograms

It is believed that every person needs to take the blood test for cholesterol from time to time. Having received the referral, the patient of the polyclinic can see in him an unfamiliar word "lipidogram". What is this research, how is it conducted? What is this analysis done for?

Deciphering the lipidogram of the blood gives the doctor important information for assessing the patient's condition, course or risks of developing liver, kidney, cardiovascular, autoimmune processes. Just a blood test for cholesterol or cholesterol is not very informative and can be used only in screening studies or in assessing the dynamics of treatment.

What are blood lipids?

Already available or coming from food fats are needed for the body's energy metabolism, the construction of cell membranes, the synthesis of hormones and other substances.

Cholesterol (cholesterol) and triglycerides are determined in the blood.

In its pure form, lipids in the blood can not be found. If this happens, an irreparable - fat embolism (or blockage) of the vessel can occur with all the ensuing consequences.

Therefore, in the bloodstream, fats are located and transported in the lipoproteins - formations in which the protein part is attached to the fatty particle. The ratio of the components can vary, this has a diagnostic value, and it will be shown by the decoding of the lipidogram.

How to take the test?

In order for the result to be reliable, it is necessary to fulfill simple requirements before passing a blood test to a biochemical laboratory. Blood is taken from the vein strictly on an empty stomach, no less than 12 hours after eating, usually in the morning.

Why is it so important? The fact is that after eating, especially fatty, the blood serum becomes cloudy (chylose). This makes analysis difficult. But this can happen with some serious diseases. Therefore, the researcher for the accuracy of the diagnosis should know for sure that the patient has fulfilled the requirement to take a fasting blood test.

Methods of research

Currently, enzymatic methods for determining blood lipids are basic. Specially selected reagents cause staining of the sample, which fixes the device. Determination of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is done in several stages, for which preliminary sedimentation and centrifugation of blood serum is carried out.

Modern biochemical analyzers cost a minimal amount of blood serum and reagents. With their help they conduct mass examinations, receive accurate results.

The previously used acid method for determining cholesterol was not harmful to the laboratory technician and required a large number of dangerous reagents.

Indicators

Lipidogram - what is it? It presents several indicators obtained as a result of blood serum analyzes , and the calculated values:

- total cholesterol (OXC);
- high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL or HDL cholesterol);
- Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol or LDL);
- triglycerides (TG);
- coefficient of atherogenicity (CA or IA).

Cholesterol and triglycerides are measured in mMol / L.

The coefficient of atherogenicity is simply a calculated numerical value, indicating the number of times the amount of LDL cholesterol exceeds the amount of cholesterol-lowering cholesterol.

In some laboratories, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is determined (VLDL cholesterol).

Normal values

Was a blood test done (lipidogram)? The decoding is as follows:

- For the total cholesterol the optimal value is from 3.5 to 5.2 mMol / L, the level from 6.2 mMol / L is increased.
- HDL cholesterol should be more than 1.4 mMol / l. The indicator below 1.0 mMol / L is considered unfavorable.

If you subtract from the total amount of HDL cholesterol, you will get the LDL cholesterol level. It is considered "bad", its level should not exceed 4.0 mMol / l.

Lipidogram - what is it? Thanks to this study, the value of triglycerides of blood is established. This derivative of glycerin and fatty acids is the main source of energy derived from food fats. It is stored by the body in fat cells.

The norm in the blood is considered to be below 1.5 mMol / L. There is an opinion that with age this indicator increases. But in any case, the result above 2.3 mMol / l can not be called favorable. It also reflects a lipidogram.

The norm of the index of atherogenicity is in the range from 2.6 to 3.5. If less - better. The value above 3.5 occurs with significant violations of lipid metabolism.

Atherogenicity index

Lipidogram - what is it? The index, or the coefficient of atherogenicity - is very important, showing the ratio of "bad" and "good" cholesterol in the blood.

To calculate it, you need to divide the total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol by the HDL cholesterol. The result shows the content of LDL cholesterol, that is, dividing one into another, we see how many times "bad" cholesterol is more than "good":

KA = OXC - HDL / HDL cholesterol, or
CA = LDL cholesterol / HDL cholesterol

For example, if the total cholesterol is 6.0 mM / L, HDL cholesterol is 2.0 mM / L, KA = 2. This is a good indicator.

And if the total cholesterol is also 6.0 mM / l and the HDL cholesterol is 1.0 mM / L, then KA = 5. With this result, one can speak of pathology.

Hence, if the HDL cholesterol is increased, the coefficient of atherogenicity, respectively, is lower. That's why it's important to know the level of not only total cholesterol. With the same index, the body can be differently protected from the risk of atherosclerosis.

"Bad" or "good"?

In general, cholesterol can not be either "bad" or "good." This is an extremely important component of the body's vital activity. Hormones, including sex, nervous and brain tissue, cell membranes, the production of bile acids - everywhere it is needed. Each cell of a living organism consists of a double layer of cholesterol molecules.

That is, the strength of nerves, beauty, intelligence, immunity, digestion, reproduction, and life in general depends on the presence and proper exchange of cholesterol. Its deficiency leads to severe disorders.

Cholesterol is 80% synthesized in the body, the rest comes from food of animal origin. In principle, the principle of feedback: the synthesis decreases with sufficient intake of cholesterol from the outside, and vice versa. So nature provided for, because a person did not always have at his disposal a full food refrigerator and a huge amount of products from sugar and white flour.

Interesting fact

Specialists conducted an extensive international study, during which, in addition to many other indicators, the lipid profile of the indigenous inhabitants of Western Siberia (Khanty, Mansi) was determined.

The measurement was done blindly, only the numbered serum samples were loaded into the analyzer.

Based on the results of examination of more than 400 samples, the results were clearly divided into three groups:

• In the first (the largest) there was normal (up to 5.0) total cholesterol, high (up to 3.0) HDL cholesterol, triglycerides below 1.0 mMol / L;
• In the second group were very low values of total cholesterol and triglycerides;
• In the third (only about 30 people), the level of total cholesterol and triglycerides was significantly increased, and the cholesterol level was reduced.

The coefficient of atherogenicity in the latter group was 5, 8, and even 10!

The solution is as follows:

• The first group consisted of adult representatives of the nomadic peoples of the north of the Tyumen region;
• The second group - their children, as well as patients with tuberculosis;
• In the third, most "fatty" group was ... the administration of the settlements in which the study was conducted!

Reindeer herders of the north of Siberia eat fish, meat, and wild plants. Of course, they also acquire sugar and flour, but a mobile way of life under severe conditions does not allow developing such diseases of civilization as diabetes, atherosclerosis, obesity.

So what's the problem?

Why so scare high cholesterol and call it "bad"? It's not the cholesterol itself, but the proportion of the protein particle transporting it in the blood.

That is, if a relatively large proportion of blood cholesterol is in high-density lipoproteins with a large protein portion (HDL cholesterol elevated), this is good. But with a protein deficiency in food, as well as an excess of simple carbohydrates in it, the exchange of insulin is disturbed. This leads to the formation of lighter and friable low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the blood that easily get stuck in the vessels and adhere to their wall.

Atherosclerotic plaques are formed, the vessels contract and become inflamed, their reactivity changes. As a consequence, atherosclerosis develops, hypertension, there is a high risk of stroke, heart attack. Therefore, LDL cholesterol is considered "bad". As we see, it's not at all in this element.

Cholesterol in the composition of HDL is, on the contrary, actively transported, cleans vessels, so it is called "good."

Another variation

In addition, "bad" is the so-called modified cholesterol, that is, changed under the influence of harmful factors: radiation, insolation, chemical effects of domestic and industrial nature: smoking, inhalation of organic solvents, chlorine compounds, insecticides, etc.

Given the critical biological role of cholesterol and fatty acids for the normal functioning of the body, it is easy to understand why changes in their chemical structure have a bad effect on health. This explains the high level of cardiovascular and oncological diseases, hormonal disorders, infertility in people living in adverse environmental conditions or having bad habits.

In this case, a direct dependence is triggered - the higher the cholesterol level and the total amount of adipose tissue in the body, the higher the risk of getting sick.

Problems with lipid metabolism

Lipid metabolism is most often disturbed by the so-called diseases of the wrong way of life:

• Obesity;
• Atherosclerosis;
• Diabetes mellitus type 2;
• Hypertension.

Low mobility, excessive consumption of fats, especially "wrong", and simple carbohydrates lead to this state.

To correct the situation, you do not need to look for a magic pill. Such popular and widely advertised statins do not improve the quality of life. A list of contraindications and side effects is easy to explain. The tablet does not care where to dissolve the cholesterol - not only in the blood, but also in the membrane of the renal tubules or the nerve process, for example.

Much more effective is proper nutrition, which consists in reducing the number of foods containing sugar, starch, white flour, refined oils, animal fats.

Margarine and palm oil should be excluded altogether. Meat, eggs, butter and even lard can be eaten, but not abused. Vegetables, fruits, buckwheat and oatmeal, bran, seafood, nuts, fish, cold pressed vegetable oils are essential for normal lipid metabolism.

Where to take the analysis?

After reaching the age of twenty, you must at least once every five years to take tests to determine the lipid spectrum. And after the forty it is better to do it annually, especially if there is a genetic predisposition. You can find out your lipid profile in almost any district clinic.

A biochemical blood test, including a lipidogram, will be assigned to a person who has consulted a doctor with complaints of heart disease, liver, kidney, high blood pressure.

The price of the analysis can be of interest to the patient if he goes to a paid clinic or wants to know the result without sending a doctor. Usually this research is conducted free of charge, due to the means of compulsory medical insurance.

Private medical centers set their prices, which start from 500 rubles. For the entire lipid spectrum and from 200 rubles. For one analysis.