Marker group

Lipid Transport

Plain-English guides to the lipid transport markers we measure and what your results mean, written to inform the conversation with your practitioner.

Markers in this group

Apolipoprotein BApoB is a count of the cholesterol-carrying particles in your blood. The more of these particles you have, the more chances there are for cholesterol to lodge in your artery walls — and that is what drives the risk of heart attack and stroke over time. You are probably hoping for a simple "is my number OK?", and the honest answer is that ApoB is a risk-based measure with no single normal for everyone. It is most useful when your GP reads it alongside your full cholesterol picture and your personal heart-risk profile. This page helps you understand what your number means and what to ask next.HDL CholesterolHDL is the "good" cholesterol — it acts like a clean-up crew, picking up cholesterol from your arteries and carrying it to the liver to be broken down. Unlike most blood markers, you are hoping for a higher number, not a lower one: a low HDL is the direction that raises concern. If you are wondering whether your result is OK, the honest answer is that HDL is one piece of your heart-risk picture — your GP reads it alongside your other cholesterol markers, blood pressure, and lifestyle to make sense of the whole.LDL CholesterolLDL is the "bad" cholesterol — when there is too much, it slowly builds up in the walls of your arteries and raises your risk of heart attack and stroke. You are probably hoping for a simple "is my number OK?", and the honest answer for cholesterol is that there is no single safe number for everyone. What matters is your LDL together with your age, blood pressure and other risks, which your GP adds up to set a target that is yours. This page helps you read your number and know what to ask.Total CholesterolTotal cholesterol is a single number that adds up all the cholesterol in your blood — the protective kind, the kind linked to heart disease, and a few smaller fractions. You are probably hoping for a simple "is my number OK?", and the honest answer is that there is no single safe number for everyone in Australia. What matters is your result together with your age, blood pressure, smoking, and other risks, which your GP combines to work out your personal heart-health picture. This page helps you understand your number and know what to ask.TriglyceridesTriglycerides are a type of fat in your blood — your body makes them from extra calories and uses them for energy. When they stay high over time, they are linked to a greater chance of heart disease and stroke. The Australian target is a fasting level below 2.0 mmol/L, and the result always means most when read alongside your other heart-health numbers. You are probably hoping to know whether your number is OK — this page helps you read it and know what to ask.

Reading results in this group

low

Very low cholesterol is generally good for LDL (less arterial plaque risk), but very low HDL reduces cardiovascular protection.

Possible reasons:

Genetics (some people naturally have lower cholesterol)
Very low-fat diet
Malabsorption conditions
Hyperthyroidism
Liver conditions (reduced cholesterol production)

Next steps: Discuss with your GP to interpret in context, especially if very low HDL.

in range

Your cholesterol levels support healthy cell function while minimising cardiovascular risk.

Possible reasons:

Balance between dietary intake, liver production, and cellular uptake

Next steps: Maintain heart-healthy lifestyle - Mediterranean diet, regular exercise, healthy weight.

high

Cholesterol particles deposit in artery walls, narrowing blood vessels and increasing heart attack and stroke risk. Small changes now prevent major events later.

No symptoms now - but elevated cholesterol silently accelerates arterial plaque buildup over years. Prevention is key.

Possible reasons:

Genetics (familial hypercholesterolaemia affects 1 in 250 Australians)
Dietary factors (saturated fat, trans fats)
Physical inactivity
Excess body weight (especially around middle)
Age (cholesterol rises with age)
Hypothyroidism
Kidney disease

Next steps: Discuss with your GP. They can calculate your absolute cardiovascular risk (accounts for age, blood pressure, smoking, diabetes) and recommend lifestyle changes or medication. If family history of early heart disease, mention this.

Cholesterol typically improves within 6-8 weeks of dietary changes. Medication works faster (2-4 weeks). Cardiovascular benefits emerge over 3-6 months.

Medication Considerations

These medications may affect your results:

Statins: Statins lower LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol.
Fibrates: Fibrates primarily lower triglycerides and can raise HDL.

Test your lipid transport

NATA-accredited testing. Results in 2–5 days. No GP referral required.

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