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.
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.
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
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
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?
Prepare for Accurate Lipid Results
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.
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.
List Your Medications
Bring a list of all medications, especially statinsfibratesoral contraceptivessteroidsdiuretics, 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
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.
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.
Lipid management requires monitoring. We maintain records so you can track trends across visits, particularly important if you have started or changed statin therapy.
Convenient for Yaba, Shomolu, and Bariga. Open Mon – Sat 9 AM – 5 PM. Come fasted in the morning for same-day results. This is a walk-in lab test, no appointment is needed.
"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."
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Quick answers
Where can I get a lipid profile near Yaba or Akoka?
At Mascot Healthcare, 52 Sholanke Street, off Chemist Junction, Akoka, Lagos. We are a short keke ride from the Unilag gate and close to Yaba, Bariga, Shomolu and Gbagada. Directions from your area.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Lab tests are walk-in, Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. You can also pick your tests and a time online.
How much does a lipid profile cost?
Prices change, so we don't print them on this page. The current price is on our live price list, or call 0816 586 6252 to ask.
When are you open?
Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. We are closed on Sundays and Nigerian public holidays.
How should I prepare?
See our test and scan preparation guide. Good to know for this test: 9–12 hour overnight fast required. If you are unsure, message us on WhatsApp before you come.
Can I come here in an emergency?
No. We don't handle emergencies. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke, heavy bleeding or any other emergency, go to the nearest hospital or call 112.
Do you accept HMO or health insurance?
Not at the moment. You pay at the clinic by cash, card, POS or bank transfer.
Know Your Heart Disease Risk
Book your appointment ahead. Located at 52 Sholanke Street, Off Chemist Junction, Akoka, Lagos.
Monday – Saturday · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Closed Sundays & Public Holidays
Last updated 16 October 2026.