Lipid Panel
The lipid panel measures the fats and fatty substances in your blood that are key drivers of cardiovascular disease. It is the cornerstone test for assessing heart disease risk and guiding statin therapy decisions. A standard lipid panel includes total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and VLDL cholesterol.
What This Panel Screens For
Cardiovascular disease risk, atherosclerosis, familial hypercholesterolemia, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance (via triglycerides), and response to lipid-lowering medications. Abnormal lipids are one of the strongest modifiable risk factors for heart attack and stroke.
Biomarkers Included
5 biomarkers in this panel
When To Get This Panel
All adults should have a baseline lipid panel by age 20, with repeat testing every 4-6 years if results are normal. Earlier and more frequent testing is warranted if you have a family history of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, or if you smoke. It is essential for monitoring statin therapy response.
Recommended Frequency
Every 4-6 years for healthy adults with normal levels. Annually for those with cardiovascular risk factors. Every 3-6 months when starting or adjusting lipid-lowering medications until target levels are achieved.
How GATOR Normalizes Across Lab Vendors
GATOR normalizes lipid panel results and automatically calculates clinical ratios like TG/HDL, Total Cholesterol/HDL, and Non-HDL Cholesterol from your raw values. Reference ranges are unified across Function Health, LabCorp, and Quest — for instance, LabCorp flags LDL at >100 mg/dL while Function Health uses an optimal range of <70 mg/dL. GATOR shows both conventional and optimal ranges for complete context.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for interpretation of your results.