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Total cholesterol


Specimen : Serum (1 ml ) 

 

Reference value : Desirable less than 200 mg/dL

                             Borderline 200 - 239 mg/dL 

                              High Greater Than 240 mg/dL 

 

Method : Spectrophotometer 

 

Description :

 Cholesterol is a lipid needed to from cell membranes and a component of the materials that render the skin waterproof . It also helps form bile salts , adrenal corticosteroids , estrogen and androgen .

 

Cholesterol is obtained from the diet (exogenous cholesterol ) and also synthesized in the body( endogenous cholesterol ) . Although most body cells can form som cholesterol , it is produced mainly by liver and intestinal mucosa . 

Very low cholesterol value , as is sometimes seen in critically ill patients , can be as life threatening as very high levels . 

 

Indications 

 

- Assist in determination risk of cardiovascular disease 

- Assist in diagnosis of nephritic syndrome , hepatic disease , pancreatitis  , and thyroid disorders . 

- Evaluate the response to dietary and drug therapy for hypercholesterolemia

-Investigate hypercholesterolemia in light of family history of cardiovascular disease 



Interpretation


Increased in 


1 -  Primary hypercholesterolemia 

 

- Congenital lipoprotein lipase deficiency 

- Hypercholesterolemia 

- Familial hyperlipoproteinemia 

 

2 - Secondary  hypercholesterolemia 

 

- Cholestasis 

- Chronic renal failure , Nephrotic  syndrome 

- Diabetes ( with poor control ) due to decrease activity pf lipoprotein lipase ( as insulin is reduced ) and lipolysis is increased

- Diets high in cholesterol and fats .

- Glycogen storage disease ( Von Gierke disease ) 

- Hepatic lipidosis ( alcoholism ) .

- Hyperthyroidism due to decrease cholesterol utilization and reduce activity of lipoprotein lipase . 

- Ischemic heart disease 

- Obesity 

- Acute pancreatic necrosis 

- Pregnancy 


Decreased in : 


- Chronic myelocytic leukemia , Polycythemia 

- Hyperthyroidism 

- Liver disease ( Sever ) 

- Malabsorpion  and malnutrition syndromes , sever illness . 

- pernicious anemia , Sideroblastic anemia 

- Thalassemia . 






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