Clinical analysis

Cholesterol under control: why measuring it well is key to your health

Cholesterol is a fatty substance essential for the functioning of our body, present in all cells and necessary for the formation of hormones, vitamin D and other substances.

Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream bound to proteins, forming complexes known as lipoproteins. There are different types of lipoproteins, the main ones being:
Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL): Commonly known as “bad cholesterol,” LDL carries cholesterol from the liver to tissues and arteries.
High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL): Known as “good cholesterol,” HDL collects excess cholesterol from tissues and arteries and transports it back to the liver for elimination.

Not only are the absolute levels of LDL and HDL cholesterol important, but also the ratio between them, known as the HDL/LDL ratio.
A low ratio (more LDL than HDL) is associated with a higher risk of atherosclerosis, as LDL cholesterol can accumulate in the arteries, promoting the formation of plaques that hinder blood flow.
A high ratio (more HDL relative to LDL) is beneficial, as HDL cholesterol helps remove excess LDL from the arteries and carry it back to the liver for elimination.

Torem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Etiam eu turpis molestie, dictum est a, mattis tellus. Sed dignissim, metus nec fringilla accumsan, risus sem sollicitudin lacus, ut interdum tellus elit sed risus. Maecenas eget condimentum velit, sit amet feugiat lectus. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Praesent auctor purus luctus enim egestas, ac scelerisque ante pulvinar. Donec ut rhoncus ex. Suspendisse ac rhoncus nisl, eu tempor urna. Curabitur vel bibendum lorem. Morbi convallis convallis diam sit amet lacinia. Aliquam in elementum tellus.

How Do We Measure Cholesterol? Quality Control of Our Reagents

Accurate cholesterol measurement in patient samples is essential for assessing cardiovascular risk and making informed clinical decisions based on reliable data. To ensure the accuracy of these results, it is imperative that the reagents used in diagnostic tests are of high quality and robustness.

We check the physical condition of the reagent. It is important to ensure there are no precipitates or suspended particles and that the color is homogeneous.

We test the reagent using samples with a known cholesterol value. All manufactured batches must meet the established requirements. If the result deviates significantly, the batch is discarded.

Once all data is collected, a certificate of analysis is issued, and a decision is made on whether the manufactured batch is approved. Once released, it can be distributed to various laboratories.

Sub-category