* It is ptreferable to measure lipid after 12 hrs fasting, as triglyceride levels rised and both HDL & LDL levels fall after fat containing meals.
* since serum lipid levels a vary widely from day to day( being largely dependaent on diet) , at least 2 - 3 measurments should be made days or weeks apart , before labelling a person as hyper lipidaemic/ normolipidaemic or before initiating therapy.
*Both LDL & HDL levels remains decreased for several weeks after acute inflammatory states, following myocardial infection, stress, trauma, surgery and recent illness.
* lipid profile values should always be corroborated in the light of clinical findings, dietary habits / axcess/ restrictions, effects of illness, exercise, inter & intra individual variations and drugs( Anabolic steroids, oral contraceptives) progestogens, antithypertensives, oestrogen, insulin & hydrochlorthiazide.
NOTE :- Lipid profile range as per ncep – atp 111 are :
Serum cholestrol (Total) :
Desirable: < 200 mg/dl, Borderline: 200-239 mg/dl, Elevated : >250 mg/dl.
Serum high – density lipoprotein cholterol (HDL):
Desirable: > 60 mg/dl, Borderline: 40-60 mg/dl, Elevated : >70 mg/dl.
TOTAL cholestrol : HDL cholestrol:
Low risk : 3.3 - 4.4, Average risk : 4.4 – 7.1, Moderate risk : 7.1 – 11.0, High risk : >11.0
Serum low – density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol:
Desirable : < 100 mg/dl, Borderline: 100-159 mg/dl, Elevated : >160 mg/dl.