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 .
