Why is it import to know your health parameters?
Investing in your health earlier is the most conscious and cost-effective way to prepare for the future. Currently Africa is undergoing epidemiological transition with a steady rise in noncommunicable diseases such as cardio-metabolic diseases as well as cancers, etc. This is due to change in our life style, diet, climate change etc. Therefore, it is important to emphasize on preventive methods to take control of your health. This means that everyone should know their health parameters on a regular basis. Knowing your health parameters allows you to adjust your life-style, diet, or even get treatment earlier and cheaper if there is anything wrong at the early stage. Most of the chronic disease are silent killers, symptoms appear only at the last stage when it is almost too late, and cost a lot of money at a high-level hospital.
Here are few health parameters that you should first understand and take control of it:
What is Blood Cholesterol?
Blood cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by the liver. It is essential for good health, but in the right amounts. (1) The human body makes sufficient blood cholesterol needed for most functions such as production of steroid hormones, building of cell membrane and is a precursor in the production of Vitamin D. Cholesterol travels through the blood on proteins called “lipoproteins.” Two types of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout the body: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and High-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL cholesterol, also called “bad” cholesterol, makes up most of the body’s cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol raise the risk for heart disease and stroke. On the other hand, HDL cholesterol, “good” cholesterol, absorbs cholesterol in the blood and carries it back to the liver. The liver then excretes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower the risk for heart disease and stroke. Triglycerides are a type of fat in blood that the body uses for energy. The combination of high levels of triglycerides with low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol levels can increase the risk for heart attack and stroke. (1) In global burden of disease, the LDL ranked in the top three leading risk factors contributing to cardiovascular disease (2). In 2019, 4.4 million deaths were attributed to high LDL Cholesterol, which accounted for 12.6% of all risk-related deaths.
Recommendations on screening
Adults should be screened every year. Adult with history of chronic disease should be screened several times a year depending of the Doctor’s recommendation. For children with family history of high blood cholesterol, heart attack, or stroke: the screening may begin as early as 2 years old. Younger adults should be screened every 5 years (3)
What are the components of the Lipid profile Panel?
Lipids profile panel is a group of tests that measure the amount of cholesterol and other fats in the blood. The panel comprises LDL, HDL, Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol and Triglycerides blood tests.
How to prepare for the Test?
In most cases it is recommended for individuals taking the test to fast (not eat or drink) 9 to 12 hours prior. This is necessary to assess risk of Cardiovascular Disease. After a venous blood sample is collected, serum is then separated from clotted blood. The serum is then used to quantify levels of the respective analytes in mmol/L. At Dounebaine Diagnostics we can collect your sample either at your home, office, etc. or you can come to our office at Trance Tower, on Tsavo Road in South B, Nairobi.
How to interpret your Results?
At the Dounebaine Diagnostics we provide interpretation of your health parameters and connect you with one of our network Doctors to follow up with you in case of any abnormality. we send your result to you via email. Your results are kept in high confidentiality and security.
HDL | MEANING |
Below 1.03 mmol/L | Alarming for Men |
Below 1.29 mmol/L | Alarming for Women |
1.03 - 1.27 mmol/L | Good for Men |
1.29 - 1.53 mmol/L | Good for Women |
1.55 mmol/L | Very Good |
LDL | MEANING |
More than 4.14 mmol/L | Alarming for Men |
More than 4.14 mmol/L | Alarming for Women |
Less than 2.59 mmol/L | Good for Men |
Less than 2.59 mmol/L | Good for Women |
Less than 1.81 mmol/L | Very Good |
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL | MEANING |
More than 6.22 mmol/L | Alarming for Men |
5.18 mmol/L - 6.19 mmol/L | Almost Alarming |
Less than 5.18 mmol/L | Good |
TRIGLYCERIDES | MEANING |
More than 2.26 mmol/L | Alarming |
Less than 1.69 mmol/L | Good |
Less than 1.13 mmol/L | Very Good |
About Dounebaine Diagnostics (https://www.dounebainedx.com/)
We are a private referral Laboratory, our head office is located at the Trance Tower, upper ground floor, on Tsavo road, in South B, open 7 days a week and we do sample collection at home and anywhere at the patient’s request. We offer high-quality medical tests at affordable costs. Our technical team members include experts in microbiology, clinical chemistry, and hematology; certified consultant pathologists, and medical epidemiologists. In addition, we collaborate with excellent Network Doctors to follow up with our patients.
Contact us on info@dounebainedx.com or WhatsApp: (+254)70813911.
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