Cholesterol · LDL · HDL · Triglycerides · VLDL

Lipid Profile Test

A complete picture of your blood fats — the six markers that together determine your cardiovascular risk far more accurately than total cholesterol alone. Know your numbers, protect your heart.

6Markers Measured
9–12hFast Required
SameDay Results
Lipid Profile
Total Cholesterol 6.8 mmol/L High
LDL-C 4.5 mmol/L High
HDL-C 0.9 mmol/L Low
Triglycerides 3.2 mmol/L High
Risk Ratio (TC:HDL) 7.6 >5 High Risk

Six Markers, One Risk Score

Blood lipids are not all equal. LDL builds plaques; HDL removes them. Triglycerides reflect diet and insulin resistance. Together they map your cardiovascular risk far better than any single number.

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LDL & Total Cholesterol

LDL-cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) infiltrates arterial walls and forms atherosclerotic plaques — the foundation of heart attacks and strokes. Total cholesterol includes all fractions; the ratio to HDL is more predictive than total alone. Target LDL <3.0 mmol/L (lower if diabetic or with prior cardiac event).

  • LDL <3.0 mmol/L optimal
  • LDL >4.9 mmol/L may indicate familial hypercholesterolaemia
  • Total cholesterol target <5.0 mmol/L
  • Calculated using Friedewald equation
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HDL, VLDL & Triglycerides

HDL-cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) scavenges excess cholesterol from vessel walls and returns it to the liver. Low HDL is an independent cardiac risk factor. Triglycerides reflect dietary fat, alcohol, and insulin resistance; very high triglycerides (>10 mmol/L) risk pancreatitis. VLDL is triglycerides ÷ 5 — a precursor to LDL.

  • HDL >1.0 mmol/L (men), >1.2 mmol/L (women) optimal
  • Triglycerides <1.7 mmol/L optimal
  • VLDL <0.78 mmol/L normal
  • Low HDL + high TG = metabolic syndrome
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Cardiac Risk Ratio (TC:HDL)

The Total Cholesterol to HDL ratio is the single most predictive number in the panel. A ratio above 5.0 doubles cardiovascular risk; above 7.0 it is very high risk. Unlike LDL alone, this ratio accounts for your protective cholesterol — so two people with the same LDL can have very different true risks.

  • TC:HDL <4.0 — low risk
  • TC:HDL 4.0–5.0 — borderline
  • TC:HDL >5.0 — elevated risk
  • TC:HDL >7.0 — very high risk

Who Should Check Their Lipids?

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All adults 35+ — annual routine screen Dyslipidaemia is silent — there are no symptoms until a heart attack or stroke occurs. An annual lipid profile is the simplest way to catch rising numbers early.
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Diabetes or pre-diabetes Type 2 diabetes markedly worsens LDL particle quality and reduces HDL. Diabetics require tighter lipid targets and should test at least every 6–12 months.
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Hypertension (high blood pressure) High blood pressure combined with elevated LDL is a powerful multiplier of cardiovascular risk. Both conditions are far safer managed together than either alone.
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Family history of heart disease or stroke First-degree relatives of people who had a heart attack before 55 (men) or 65 (women) should have a baseline lipid profile done as early as age 20.
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Obesity, poor diet, or sedentary lifestyle Adipose tissue drives LDL production and suppresses HDL. Even young adults with high BMI and unhealthy diets frequently have abnormal lipid profiles.
Optimal Target Ranges
Total Cholesterol Optimal: <5.0 mmol/L  |  Borderline: 5.0–6.2  |  High: >6.2 mmol/L
LDL-Cholesterol Optimal: <3.0 mmol/L  |  Near optimal: 3.0–3.4  |  High: >4.1 mmol/L
HDL-Cholesterol Men >1.0 mmol/L  |  Women >1.2 mmol/L  |  Low risk if >1.55 mmol/L
Triglycerides Normal: <1.7 mmol/L  |  Borderline: 1.7–2.3  |  High: >5.6 mmol/L
Cardiac Risk Ratio (TC:HDL) Ideal <4.0  |  Average risk 4.0–5.0  |  High risk >5.0

Prepare for Accurate Lipid Results

1

Fast for 9–12 Hours

Eat a normal dinner the night before, then fast completely (water only) for 9 to 12 hours before your test. Food — especially fatty or high-carbohydrate meals — dramatically raises triglycerides and distorts VLDL, making results uninterpretable. Schedule a morning appointment to make fasting easiest.

2

Avoid Alcohol & Heavy Exercise

Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before the test — even moderate alcohol transiently raises triglycerides. Avoid intense exercise 24 hours prior as it can temporarily lower LDL. Maintain your normal diet in the days leading up — don't change eating habits specifically for the test, as baseline levels are what matter.

3

List Your Medications

Bring a list of all medications, especially statins, fibrates, oral contraceptives, steroids, diuretics, and beta-blockers — all affect lipid fractions. Do not stop medications without your doctor's advice. Knowing what you take ensures your result is interpreted in the right context.

Numbers That Save Lives

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Enzymatic colorimetric assay

We use calibrated enzymatic methods for all six lipid markers — the clinical standard that gives VLDL and LDL values aligned with international cardiovascular risk calculators.

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Risk ratio calculated and explained

Your report includes the TC:HDL cardiac risk ratio — not just raw numbers. We explain what your specific combination means for your heart health, not just which values are outside range.

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Track over time

Lipid management requires monitoring. We maintain records so you can track trends across visits — particularly important if you have started or changed statin therapy.

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52 Sholanke Street, Akoka

Convenient for Yaba, Shomolu, and Bariga. Open Mon – Sat 9 AM – 5 PM. Come fasted in the morning for same-day results. Walk-ins and pre-booked appointments both welcome.

"I felt completely fine — no chest pain, no shortness of breath. My lipid profile showed LDL of 5.2 and a risk ratio of 6.8. My doctor put me on a statin immediately. Mascot literally caught something before it could hurt me."

CE
C.E. Bariga, Lagos
✓ 6 lipid fractions + cardiac risk ratio
✓ Same-day results with interpretation
✓ Historical tracking across visits
Book Your Lipid Profile Test

Know Your Heart Disease Risk

Walk in or book ahead. Located at 52 Sholanke Street, Off Chemist Junction, Akoka, Lagos.

Monday – Saturday  ·  9:00 AM – 5:00 PM  ·  Closed Sundays & Public Holidays

9–12 hour overnight fast required  ·  Morning appointment preferred  ·  Walk-ins welcome Mon – Sat