Cholesterol Panel (Serum Lipids)

This panel gives a detailed picture of the fats (lipids) in your blood, which are a major factor in your risk of heart and circulatory disease. Rather than looking at total cholesterol alone, it breaks your result down into its different components and calculates the ratios between them, giving a much clearer view of your cardiovascular risk.

What the panel measures

• Total cholesterol (TC): the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood
• HDL cholesterol (HDL-C): often called "good" cholesterol, as it helps remove excess cholesterol from the blood. Higher levels are generally protective
• LDL cholesterol (LDL-C): often called "bad" cholesterol, as high levels can build up in the artery walls and raise heart disease risk
• Triglycerides (TG): another type of fat in the blood, linked to cardiovascular risk when raised
• Non-HDL cholesterol (calculated): all the harmful types of cholesterol combined, now widely regarded as one of the most useful measures of risk

Calculated ratios

Ratios help put your individual results in context and can be more informative than any single value:

• TC/HDL ratio: total cholesterol relative to your protective HDL
• LDL/HDL ratio: balance of harmful to protective cholesterol
• TG/HDL ratio: a marker linked to metabolic health

Why it matters

High cholesterol usually causes no symptoms, so testing is the only way to know your levels. Understanding the full breakdown of your cholesterol helps you assess your risk of heart disease and stroke, track changes over time, and take informed steps through diet, lifestyle, or treatment to protect your long-term heart health.