Differential Diagnosis
Elevated total cholesterol
Elevated LDL cholesterol
Decreased HDL cholesterol
Increased fasting triglyceride
Suggested Additional Lab Testing
Total cholesterol level
-
Can be performed on serum or plasma
-
Can be obtained fasting or non-fasting
HDL cholesterol
-
Can be performed on serum or plasma
-
Can be obtained fasting or non-fasting
LDL cholesterol level
-
Pt must be fasting if the LDL cholesterol is obtained by calculation, because the calculation involves the measurement of triglyceride, which is affected by dietary fat intake.
Triglyceride level
-
Can be obtained from serum or plasma
-
Fasting level is relevant; non-fasting levels are rarely clinically useful.
Tests to assess underlying cause of increased cholesterol or triglyceride levels if the cause for the elevation is not excess dietary intake of fat
-
Amylase and lipase measurements for pancreatitis
-
Thyroid function tests
-
Renal function tests, particularly to diagnose nephrotic syndrome, which can increase the triglyceride level
Copyright © 2017, 2013 Decision Support in Medicine, LLC. All rights reserved.
No sponsor or advertiser has participated in, approved or paid for the content provided by Decision Support in Medicine LLC. The Licensed Content is the property of and copyrighted by DSM.
