What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is found in every human blood sample. Our bodies produce about ¾ of the cholesterol measured on blood tests. The remaining ¼ is consumed in food. Eating healthy, lean foods high in HDL (high-density lipoprotein), can support overall health and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Eating processed food high in triglycerides and bad fats can increase low-density (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), which can impair healthy dramatically over time. With the help of VLDL, LDL sticks to the inside of arteries where it eventually impairs blood flow to the point where health is affected.
Patients with high cholesterol are often instructed to change diet and increase exercise. Medications can be used to control cholesterol levels, especially if high cholesterol runs in your family.
Normal Value Range
- Negative Pregnancy Adult: < 200 mg/dL to < 5.18µmol/L
- Pregnancy Trimester One: 141 to 210 mg/dL or 3.65 to 5.44 µmol/L
- Pregnancy Trimester Two: 176 to 299 mg/dL or 4.56 to 7.74 µmol/L
- Pregnancy Trimester Three: 219 to 349 mg/dL or 5.67 to 9.04 µmol/L