what test measures cholesterol
Cholesterol and triglyceride tests are blood tests that measure the total amount of fatty substances (cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood. Cholesterol travels through the blood attached to a protein.This cholesterol-protein package is called a lipoprotein.Lipoprotein analysis (lipoprotein profile or lipid profile) measures blood levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.1  Cholesterol. A high HDL level is linked with a lower risk of heart disease. 2  LDL (low-density lipoprotein) carries mostly fat and only a small amount of protein from the liver to other parts of the body. 3  A certain level of LDL in your blood is normal and healthy because LDL moves cholesterol to the parts of your body that need it.