Dyslipidemia, or abnormal blood lipid levels, often has no obvious symptoms in the early stages and is a hidden health threat, often referred to as a "silent killer." The only way to determine whether blood lipid levels are normal is through testing.

Blood lipids refer to total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and lipids (such as phospholipids) in serum. Dyslipidemia usually means elevated levels of one or both of cholesterol and triglycerides, commonly known as hyperlipidemia. In fact, dyslipidemia includes various lipid abnormalities, including low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

### High-risk group for dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia is more common in the following high-risk groups:

– People who are obese or have bad habits such as smoking, staying up late, drinking alcohol, etc.

– Men over 40 years old and postmenopausal women.

– Patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and high-risk groups.

– Patients with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, family history of premature cardiovascular disease, or familial hyperlipidemia.

– People with skin or tendon xanthomas and thickening of the Achilles tendon.

It is recommended that these people have regular lipid testing at least every six months.

 ### How to interpret blood lipid levels

1. Triglycerides (TG)

– Upgrade Level:

– Familial hypertriglyceridemia and familial combined hyperlipidemia.

– Secondary diseases commonly include diabetes, glycogen storage disease, hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, and pregnancy.

– High risk of acute pancreatitis.

– Downgrade:

– Hyperthyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, severe liver dysfunction, which can lead to fatty liver.

2. Total cholesterol

– Additional Levels:

– Seen in hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes, nephrotic syndrome, hypothyroidism, bile duct obstruction, hypertension (in some cases), and intake of vitamin A, vitamin D, or oral contraceptives.

– Downgrade:

– Associated with hypolipoproteinemia, anemia, sepsis, hyperthyroidism, liver disease, severe infection, malnutrition, tuberculosis, and advanced cancer, as well as with the use of certain medications such as para-aminosalicylic acid, kanamycin, heparin, and vitamin C.

3. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)

– Additional Levels:

– Exercise (athletes often have higher HDL-C), alcohol use, oral contraceptives in women, and certain cholesterol-lowering drugs (e.g., niacin) can all cause physiological increases.

– Pathological increases may occur in chronic liver disease, chronic toxic illnesses, and inherited high HDL conditions.

– Downgrade:

– Physiological decline may occur in sedentary individuals or after a stress response.

– Pathological decline is associated with coronary heart disease, high triglycerides, cirrhosis, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, malnutrition, etc.

4. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)

– High levels of VLDL cholesterol increase the risk of acute pancreatitis.

 In conclusion

Dyslipidemia is a serious health problem that is often ignored until it leads to serious complications. Regularly monitoring and understanding your lipid profile can help reduce your risk and promote cardiovascular health. If you are in a high-risk group, consider scheduling regular lipid profile tests to stay informed about your health.