What are cholesterol and triglycerides tests for teens?
Cholesterol and triglycerides tests are blood tests that measure the amount of lipids (fats and fatty substances) in your blood. Lipids include cholesterol, triglycerides, and "good" (HDL) and "bad" (LDL) lipoprotein.
Why are cholesterol and triglycerides tests done?
Cholesterol and triglyceride testing is done:
- As part of a routine physical exam to screen for high cholesterol and high triglycerides.
- To check if your levels are changing after taking medicine.
- If you have unusual symptoms, such as yellow fatty deposits (xanthomas) under the skin, near the eyes, or near joints. These symptoms may be caused by a genetic disease that causes very high cholesterol levels.
Your cholesterol levels can help your doctor find out your risk for having coronary artery disease, heart attack, or stroke.
But it's not just about your cholesterol. Your doctor uses your cholesterol levels plus other things to find out your risk. These include:
- Your blood pressure.
- Whether or not you have diabetes.
- Your age, sex, and ancestry.
- Whether or not you smoke or vape.
How are cholesterol and triglycerides tests for teens done?
A health professional uses a needle to take a blood sample, usually from the arm.
How do you prepare for your child's cholesterol and triglycerides tests?
- Not eating or drinking (fasting) before the blood test is not usually needed, but it may be recommended. Your doctor may ask that your child fast except for drinking water for 8 hours before the test. In most cases, your child can take medicines with water on the morning of the test.
- Tell the doctor all the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies your child takes. Your doctor will tell you if your child should stop taking any of them before the test and how soon to do it. Some of these may affect the results of this test.
What do the results of cholesterol and triglycerides tests mean?
Results are usually available within 24 hours.
Ideal cholesterol and triglyceride numbers for adults
- Total cholesterol: Less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
- HDL cholesterol: 60 mg/dL or higher is best (40 mg/dL or higher for men and 50 mg/dL or higher for women)
- LDL cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL (less than 70 mg/dL for people at high risk for a heart attack)
- Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL
If your LDL cholesterol is 190 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or more, it might mean that you have a familial lipid disorder.
For children and teens, test results are slightly different than for adults.
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