Key takeaways
- A lipid profile measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides from one blood sample.
- Desirable total cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL and LDL ideally below 100 mg/dL.
- A 9–12 hour fast is preferred, especially if triglycerides were high before.
- High cholesterol has no symptoms - test every 4–5 years, or yearly if you are at risk.
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- Lipid Profile
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A lipid profile (also called a lipid panel or cholesterol test) is one of the most useful blood tests you can take for your heart. It measures the fats carried in your blood - cholesterol and triglycerides - which, when high, slowly build up in artery walls and raise the risk of heart attack and stroke. Because high cholesterol usually causes no symptoms at all, the only way to know your numbers is to test.
At HWP Diagnostic, the lipid profile test costs ₹799 with free home sample collection across Malad, Kandivali, Borivali and Goregaon.
What does a lipid profile measure?
A standard lipid profile reports several values from a single blood sample:
- Total cholesterol - the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood.
- LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) - the main type that deposits in artery walls. Lowering LDL is the primary goal of most treatment.
- HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) - helps carry excess cholesterol back to the liver. Higher is generally better.
- Triglycerides - a type of fat that rises with excess sugar, refined carbohydrates, alcohol and weight gain.
- VLDL and ratios - many reports also show VLDL cholesterol and ratios such as Total/HDL and LDL/HDL, which help estimate risk.
Lipid profile normal range
The table below shows commonly used adult reference categories (in mg/dL). Your own report will print the reference range used by the lab, and your doctor may set a lower target if you have diabetes or heart disease.
| Parameter | Desirable | Borderline | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | Below 200 | 200–239 | 240 and above |
| LDL cholesterol | Below 100 | 130–159 | 160 and above |
| HDL cholesterol | 60 and above (protective) | 40–59 | Below 40 (men) / 50 (women) is low |
| Triglycerides | Below 150 | 150–199 | 200 and above |
Numbers are only one part of the picture. Doctors combine your lipid profile with age, blood pressure, sugar levels, smoking and family history to judge your actual heart risk.
Who should get a lipid profile?
- All adults, as part of a routine health check - roughly every 4–5 years from your twenties if results are normal.
- Every year if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, thyroid problems or kidney disease.
- People with a family history of early heart attack or very high cholesterol.
- Smokers and people with a sedentary lifestyle.
- Anyone on cholesterol-lowering medicine, to check the treatment is working.
Do you need to fast for a lipid profile?
Total cholesterol and HDL change very little after a meal, but triglycerides can rise noticeably for several hours after eating. For that reason a 9–12 hour overnight fast has long been the standard. Many guidelines now accept non-fasting samples for routine screening, but a fasting test is still preferred when:
- your previous triglycerides were high (above ~400 mg/dL),
- your doctor has specifically asked for a fasting sample, or
- the lipid profile is being done together with a fasting blood sugar.
If you fast, drink plain water as normal, take your regular medicines unless your doctor says otherwise, and avoid alcohol and heavy fatty meals the evening before. Read more in our guide to fasting before a blood test.
What if your cholesterol is high?
A single high result is a signal to act, not a reason to panic. Doctors usually start with lifestyle changes and repeat the test in 6–12 weeks:
- Cut down on fried food, bakery items, red meat and full-fat dairy; use less ghee and vanaspati.
- Eat more fibre - oats, dals, beans, vegetables, fruit and whole grains.
- Reduce sugar, sweet drinks and refined carbohydrates, which push up triglycerides.
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of brisk activity a week and lose weight if needed.
- Stop smoking and limit alcohol.
If your LDL remains high or your overall risk is high, your doctor may prescribe a statin or another medicine. Never start or stop cholesterol medicines on your own.
Lipid profile test price in Mumbai
Lipid profile prices in Mumbai vary widely between labs and hospitals. At HWP Diagnostic the complete lipid profile is ₹799, and the price includes free home sample collection - you do not pay extra for a phlebotomist visit. If you want to check your heart health more completely, consider the heart health packages, which combine the lipid profile with sugar, kidney and other markers, or a full body checkup.
Individual parameters can also be booked on their own, for example total cholesterol (₹199) or triglycerides (₹349).
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Lipid Profile
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Total Cholesterol
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Triglycerides
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LDL Cholesterol - Direct
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HDL Cholesterol
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Frequently asked questions
What is the lipid profile test price in Mumbai?
At HWP Diagnostic the lipid profile is priced transparently on the test page, with free home sample collection anywhere in Malad, Kandivali, Borivali and Goregaon. There is no separate collection fee.
Is fasting required for a lipid profile?
Traditionally 9–12 hours of fasting is advised, mainly because triglycerides rise after a meal. Many labs now accept non-fasting samples for routine screening, but if your triglycerides were high before or your doctor asked for a fasting test, fast for 10–12 hours (water is fine).
How often should I check my cholesterol?
Healthy adults are commonly advised to check every 4–5 years from their twenties, and yearly if they have diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, are overweight or are on cholesterol medicines.
Can I get a lipid profile at home?
Yes. A lipid profile only needs a small blood sample from a vein, which our phlebotomist can collect at your home. Reports are usually ready within 24 hours.
HWP Diagnostic Editorial Team
Health guides written by the team at HWP Diagnostic, Mumbai, to help you understand your tests before you book. This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice - reference ranges vary between labs, so always discuss your results with your doctor. Read our editorial policy. Photos: Pexels.
