Diagnosis

= __Diagnosis__ = As there are no signs or symptoms of dyslipidaemia, except for perhaps obesity as a marker of high lipid levels, we need to complete a quantitative test to obtain a measure of blood lipids. This protocol is known as a blood test, or complete blood lipid profile. The procedure involves a 12 hour fasting followed by a forearm blood sample being taken. This allows for measure of
 * Triglyceride Levels
 * Total Cholesterol Levels
 * High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) levels, and
 * Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) levels

The recommended levels of each of the above are listed below, along with abnormal levels for each marker. Pathology reports for blood tests done in Australia commonly report lipid values in mmol/L, whereas the scientific literature and American lipid management guidelines commonly present results in unit of mg/dL.

(mmol/L) || (mg/dL) ||~ Classification ||~ LDL Cholesterol (mmol/L) ||
 * ~ **Triglyceride**
 * (mg/dL)** ||~ **Classification** ||~ Triglyceride
 * = <150 ||= Normal ||= <1.6 ||
 * = 150 to 199 ||= Borderline High ||= 1.6 - 2.2 ||
 * = 200 to 499 ||= High ||= 2.2 - 5.6 ||
 * = ≥500 ||= Very High ||= ≥ 5.6 ||
 * ~ **Total Cholesterol**
 * (mg/dL)** ||~ **Classification** ||~ **Total Cholesterol**
 * (mmol/L)** ||
 * = <200 ||= Desirable ||= <5.0 ||
 * = 200 to 239 ||= Borderline High ||= 5.0 - 6.2 ||
 * = ≥240 ||= High ||= ≥6.2 ||
 * ~ **HDL Cholesterol**
 * (mg/dL)** ||~ **Classification** ||~ **HDL Cholesterol**
 * (mmol/L)** ||
 * = <40 ||= Low ||= ≤1.0 ||
 * = ﻿ ≥60 ||= High ||= ﻿ ≥1.6 ||
 * ~ LDL Cholesterol
 * = <100 ||= Optimal ||= <2.5 ||
 * = 100 to 129 ||= Near Optimal ||= 2.5 - 3.4 ||
 * = 130 to 159 ||= Borderline High ||= 3.4 - 4.1 ||
 * = 160 to 189 ||= High ||= 4.1 - 4.8 ||
 * = ≥190 ||= Very High ||= ≥4.8 ||

If the values of a blood test fall outside the optimal or normal ranges, action should be taken to return these values to normal. Exercise Prescription can be an effective treatment for altering the blood lipid profile.

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