Total cholesterol is a measure of the total amount of cholesterol in your blood, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. With HDL cholesterol, higher levels are better. Low HDL cholesterol puts you at higher risk for heart disease. People with high blood triglycerides usually also have lower HDL cholesterol. Increased plasma triglyceride levels are indicative of a metabolic abnormality and, along with elevated cholesterol, are considered a risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. Blood measurements of hs-CRP are often performed to assess the risk of future heart disease. C-Reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver and elevated CRP levels can be measured in blood in response to inflammation. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), is a form of hemoglobin (a blood pigment that carries oxygen) that is bound to glucose. Blood HbA1c levels are reflective of how well diabetes is controlled. HbA1c levels are reflective of blood glucose levels over the past six to eight weeks and do not reflect daily ups and downs of blood glucose. High HbA1c levels indicate poorer control of diabetes than levels in the normal range.
