About the test
HDL cholesterol removes LDL from the vascular walls and transports it to the liver. It is then excreted by bile.
HDL cholesterol is therefore useful in the human body and people with high HDL are reported to have a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. This is why it is also known as “good” cholesterol.
Sample
Venous blood
Preparation
12 hour fasting prior to testing. Water is permitted.
Alcohol consumption is forbidden 24 hours prior to testing.
Procedure
Venipuncture
Increased values
- Alcoholism
- Chronic liver disease
- Drugs (corticosteroids, insulin, phenytoin, estrogens, alpha-blockers)
Decreased values
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
- Diabetes mellitus
- Smoking
- Stress
- Hypertriglyceridemia
- Renal failure
- Drugs (anabolic steroids, contraceptives, methyldopa, thiazide diuretics)
Additional information.
- Beneficiary increases of HDL can be achieved by maintaining a normal body mass index, by wise use of alcohol, by following a healthy diet as well as by exercise.