Lipid profile (cholesterol test)
Quick answer: A lipid profile measures fats in your blood, including total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. Doctors use it to check your risk of heart disease and stroke, in routine check-ups, and to monitor diabetes or cholesterol treatment.
- SampleBlood
- TakesAbout 5 minutes
- Before the testYou may be asked to fast for about 10 to 12 hours beforehand (water is fine); follow the lab's instructions.
How the test is done
- 1Staff confirm how many hours you have fasted
- 2The skin on your inner elbow is cleaned
- 3A needle draws blood into a tube
- 4Cotton and a plaster are placed over the spot
What your results can mean
Reading your report
Normal ranges differ between labs, so compare your result with the range printed on your report and discuss it with your doctor.
If the result is outside the usual range
High LDL, total cholesterol or triglycerides can be seen with diet, inactivity, diabetes, an underactive thyroid, kidney disease or inherited cholesterol problems. A low HDL can be linked with smoking, inactivity, excess weight and high triglycerides.
Who usually has this test
Adults having routine health checks, and people with diabetes, high blood pressure, excess weight, or a family history of early heart disease.
Risks and aftercare
You can eat and drink normally straight after, and a small bruise is the most common side effect.
Names and options
Also called: lipid panel, cholesterol test, HDL LDL triglycerides
Listed by the hospital as
- LIPID PROFILE
Questions about this test
Do I need to fast for a lipid profile?
Many labs in India ask for 10 to 12 hours of fasting, mainly because triglycerides rise after a meal. Some guidelines now accept non-fasting samples. Follow the instructions you are given when you book.
What is the difference between LDL and HDL?
LDL is often called bad cholesterol because high levels can build up in artery walls. HDL is often called good cholesterol because it helps carry cholesterol away. Your doctor looks at both, along with your other risk factors.
How often should I get a lipid profile done?
For many healthy adults, a check every few years is common, and more often if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or are on cholesterol medicine. Your doctor will suggest a schedule based on your own risk.
Related tests
Tamara Hospital & IVF Centre, Rajajinagar
34/3, 10th Cross Road, opp. Vardhaka Sardar Patel School, 1st N Block, 2nd Stage, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru 560010
The hospital is open 24 hours. Call before you come to check the timing for your scan or sample collection.
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This page explains each test in general terms so you know what to expect. It is not medical advice: your doctor decides which tests you need and what your results mean. Reference ranges differ between laboratories. Updated 4 November 2026.