A lipid profile, which includes values for total
cholesterol, as well as individual values for LDL
cholesterol, HDL
cholesterol and triglycerides, another lipid in the blood, requires you to fast.
LDL levels cannot be measured from the blood directly. Instead, a mathematical equation called the Friedewald equation, is used to calculate LDL levels using values for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.