This test is usually performed as part of an evaluation of coronary risk factors.
Cholesterol is an important normal constituent of the body.
It is part of the structure of cell membranes, bile acids, and steroid hormones. The main function of LDL seems to be to carry cholesterol to various tissues throughout the body. The laboratory actually measures the cholesterol portion of the LDL molecule, rather than the actual concentration of LDL in the blood. The total cholesterol level is the sum of LDL, HDL, and VLDL cholesterol. Excess cholesterol in the blood has been correlated with cardiovascular disease.