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Advanced Cholesterol Profile
General DescriptionThe concept of “good” and “bad” cholesterol depends highly on the circumstances of the individual person. Although very high blood serum cholesterol values are associated with heart disease, values that are low (below 160 mg/dl) are associated with increased violent behavior, suicide, depression, anxiety, bipolar disease, Parkinson’s disease, and increased mortality from cancer. Low cholesterol values are also associated with manganese deficiency, celiac disease, hyperthyroidism, liver disease, malabsorption, and malnutrition. Cholesterol is a sterol essential to life and is found in every animal cell. Cholesterol is part of our cellular structure and protects our tissues. Many people fear and focus on high cholesterol levels, yet never focus on low cholesterol levels, which can have negative health effects. Like everything in nature, balance is the key. Cholesterol serves several important roles in metabolism: it is a key constituent of all cell membranes and provides the structural framework of vitamin D and adrenal and sex hormones, as well as for bile acids which help digest fat and increase absorption of fat soluble vitamins. Most cholesterol is made in the liver and is so crucial to metabolism that, if necessary, it can be synthesized from either fatty acids or glucose. Click here to view the Recommendations By Disorder Chart (PDF) BrochureAnalyte ListTotal cholesterol: Total cholesterol measures all types of cholesterol. Low values (generally values less than 160 mg/dL) are associated with genetic diseases of cholesterol metabolism such as SLOS (Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome). SLOS is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder associated with autism, multiple malformations and mental retardation syndrome, Tangier’s disease, and abetalipoproteinemia. Low values are more common in hyperthyroidism, liver disease, malabsorption, malnutrition, autism, violent behavior, celiac disease, anxiety, bipolar disease, alcoholism, lung cancer, suicide, depression, and obesity associated with human adenovirus-36 infection. In China, where mean cholesterol is much lower than in the Western world, chronic hepatitis B virus infection is ubiquitous. Chronic carriers of hepatitis B, but not individuals with eradicated hepatitis B, have significantly lower total cholesterol than non-carriers, suggesting a cause-effect relationship. High cholesterol values are associated with atherosclerosis. Apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-1): The main protein component of HDL (high density lipoprotein). It accounts for approximately 65% of the total protein content of HDL. Apo A-I activates lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase which catalyses the esterification of cholesterol. The resulting esterified cholesterol can then be transported to the liver, metabolized, and excreted. Values of Apo A-I have been shown to decrease during infection. Apolipoprotein B (Apo B): The main protein component of LDL (low density lipoprotein). It accounts for approximately 95% of the total protein content of LDL. Apolipoprotein B is necessary for the reaction with LDL receptors in the liver and on cell walls and is thus involved in transporting cholesterol from the liver to the cells. Recently the Mind Institute found that low values of Apo B are associated with autism, with the lowest values being found in low-functioning autism. LDL has been found to have protective effects against endotoxins from deadly staphylococcus bacteria. Lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)): A modified version of LDL containing Apo B and a unique protein, apolipoprotein (a), which are linked by a disulfide bridge. High values have been implicated as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Low values have also been found in those with autism who have higher doses of Apolipoprotein E epsilon-4 gene variants that are associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Lipoprotein (a) is biochemically unrelated to Apolipoprotein A. Homocysteine: A sulfur-containing amino acid that can be converted to methionine by methionine synthetase or by betaine methyl transferase. The role of homocysteine in atherosclerosis gained attention after finding massive atherosclerosis in young people with the genetic disorder homocystinuria. Methionine synthetase requires the folic acid derivative 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate. Abnormally high values have been reported in stroke, cardiovascular disease, and in Alzheimer’s disease. Both low and high values have been reported in autism. The Advanced Cholesterol Profile uses FDA-approved diagnostic laboratory reagents, which assures quality results. Turn Around TimeThe turn around time for this test is 1-3 weeks, unless unforeseen circumstances arise. Specimen Requirements1 mL of serum is the absolute minimum in a gold-topped SST or in a royal blue-topped no additive tube. 2 mL of serum is preferred. CPT Codes83090 83695 83718 83172*2 82465 Kit InstructionsFor blood instructions please click here. |
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