Basic knowledge of Blood Lipids

I. Basic knowledge of blood lipids

Blood lipids are the general term for cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and lipids (such as phospholipids, glycolipids) in serum, and are widely present in the human body. They are insoluble in water and must be combined with apolipoproteins to form lipoproteins to be soluble in human blood. They are essential substances for the basic metabolism of living cells. Among them, triglycerides are involved in energy metabolism in the human body, while cholesterol is mainly used for the synthesis of cell plasma membrane, steroid hormones and bile acids.

There are seven commonly used blood lipid tests: cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein A, and apolipoprotein B. Our Yicare Lipid Meter LP-101/LPM-101 can detect total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the ratio TC/HDL.

II Reference and clinical significance of each index

1. Total Cholesterol (TC)

Reference:

Appropriate level: ≤5.2mmol/L (200mg/dL)

Critical range: 5.2～6.2mmol/L (200～240mg/dL)

Elevated: ≥6.2mmol/L (240mg/dL)

Clinical significance:

Elevated: The hazards of elevated TC: It is easy to cause atherosclerotic heart and cerebrovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke (stroke), etc.

Physiological factors leading to elevated TC: high-fat diet, smoking, drinking, stress, blood concentration. It may be significantly increased in the third trimester of pregnancy and can be recovered after delivery.

Reduction: TC reduction can be seen in various lipoprotein deficiency states, liver cirrhosis, malignant tumors, nutrient malabsorption, giant cell anemia, etc. Women's menstrual period can also be reduced.

2. Triglyceride (TG)

Reference:

Appropriate level: <1.7mmol/L (150mg/dL)

Critical range: 1.7～2.3mmol/L (150～200mg/dL)

Elevated: ≥2.3mmol/L (200mg/dL)

Clinical significance:

Elevated: Harm of elevated TG: Triglyceride is also a risk factor for coronary heart disease, and dietary control or drug treatment should also be given when it is elevated.

Decreased: seen in hypolipoproteinemia, nutrient malabsorption, hyperthyroidism, excessive hunger, exercise, etc.

3. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)

Reference:

Appropriate level: ≥1.0mmol/L (40mg/dL)

Reduction: ≤1.0mmol/L (40mg/dL)

Clinical significance:

HDL-C is considered "good cholesterol" because it can transport free cholesterol accumulated in tissues to the liver, reduce the deposition of cholesterol in tissues, and play an anti-atherosclerotic effect. Therefore, individuals with low HDL-C levels are at increased risk of coronary heart disease, and those with high levels of HDL-C are less likely to suffer from coronary heart disease.

4. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)

Reference:

Appropriate level: ≤3.4mmol/L (130mgd/L)

Edge elevation: 3.4 to 4.1 mmol/L (130 to 160 mg/dL)

Elevated: ≥4.1mmol/L (160mg/dL)

Clinical significance:

Elevated hazards: Elevated LDL is one of the important risk factors for atherosclerosis. It is used to determine whether there is a risk of coronary heart disease, and it is also the primary indicator for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia.

Decreased: It can be seen in no β-lipoproteinemia, hyperthyroidism, maldigestion and absorption, liver cirrhosis, malignant tumor, etc.

5. Lipoprotein (a)

Reference:

10～140mmol/L (0～300mg/L)

Pathological elevation: ≥300mg/L

Clinical significance:

Elevated Lp(a) increases the risk of atherosclerosis and arterial thrombosis, and its increased concentration is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

6. Apolipoprotein A (apoA)

Reference:

1.20～1.60g/L

Clinical significance:

In general, apoAI can represent the level of HDL, which is positively correlated with HDL-C. People with a ratio lower than 1.20g/L higher than 1.60g/L tend to be susceptible to coronary heart disease.

7. Apolipoprotein B (apoB)

Reference:

0.80～1.20g/L

Clinical significance:

apoB mainly represents the level of LDL and has a significant positive correlation with LDL-C. Elevated apoB is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. It is prone to coronary heart disease if higher than 1.20 g/L  . Reducing apoB can reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease and promote the regression of atherosclerotic plaques.

Ⅲ Blood Lipid Management

1. Living and eating

Healthy living habits and a reasonable diet are the premise of prevention and treatment.

Factors affecting blood lipids include diet, exercise, genetic factors, tobacco and alcohol.

Low-fat diets require people to eat more whole grains, vegetables, fruits, etc. to increase dietary fiber components, which can reduce LDL-C levels. Foods high in oil, salt and sugar should be avoided. You can choose high-quality protein foods, such as egg whites, lean meat, and skim milk; you can also eat some foods containing unsaturated fatty acids, such as salmon and sardines. Therefore, People do not have to be vegetarian to avoid high blood lipids, but to eat scientifically and healthily, and pay attention to being full at every meal.

Quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, control your weight, and exercise appropriately. Exercise 5 to 7 days a week, 30 minutes of moderate-intensity metabolic exercise each time, and you need to pay attention to your own health to control the time and amount of exercise.

IV. Blood lipid monitoring

If the blood lipid level is high or low, and the patient cannot feel himself, the patient should be instructed to carry out regular blood lipid monitoring by Lipid meter at home at any time.

People who take diet and non-drug therapy should have their blood lipid levels re-examined 3 to 6 months from the beginning. If the blood lipid reaches the recommended target, non-drug therapy should be continued, but re-examination is still required in 6-12 months, and those who reach the standard for a long time can be re-examined once a year.

Blood lipids, liver function and other indicators should be re-examined 4-8 weeks after the start of drug treatment. If there are no special circumstances and the blood lipids meet the standard, the re-examination can be changed to once every 6-12 months; those who meet the long-term standard can be re-examined once a year. If the blood lipids do not reach the target, the dose or type of lipid-lowering drugs needs to be adjusted, and the adjustment should be reviewed within 6 weeks of treatment.

In addition, triglyceride is greatly affected by diet, so patients should be instructed not to eat greasy food within 3 days before the test, otherwise the measured level will be high and affect judgment.

In this editor, I will recommend an absolutely easy-to-use blood lipid analyzer or lipid meter to you. Welcome medical institutions and distributors at all levels to come to consult and purchase.