Lipid Panel — LDL, HDL, Triglycerides
The standard lipid panel measures the main circulating fats. LDL-C is the classic risk marker, but triglycerides and HDL contextualise it — and the TG/HDL ratio is a strong insulin-resistance proxy.
The standard lipid panel measures the main circulating fats — LDL-C is the classic risk marker, but triglycerides and HDL contextualise it, and the TG/HDL ratio is a strong proxy for insulin resistance. Reading the four numbers together tells you far more than LDL alone.
The biomarker
- Name: Lipid Panel — LDL, HDL, Triglycerides
- Units: mg/dL
- Standard reference range: LDL < 130; HDL > 40 (men) / > 50 (women); TG < 150
- Optimal range: LDL < 100; HDL > 60; TG < 100; TG/HDL < 1.5
How to read your result
| Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| LDL > 130 | Elevated — pair with ApoB |
| HDL < 40 | Low — consider cardio + monounsaturated fats |
| TG > 150 | High — review carbohydrate and alcohol |
| TG/HDL > 2 | Insulin-resistance signal |
What moves the needle
- Diet. Reduce refined carbs; add fiber and omega-3.
- Movement. Weekly aerobic plus strength work.
- Further testing. Add ApoB and Lp(a) for the full atherogenic picture.
- Retest. 3 months after a change to see the effect.
Why this test is worth asking for
- It is on nearly every basic panel, so the four numbers are usually already available — the value is in reading them together rather than fixating on LDL.
- The TG/HDL ratio doubles as an insulin-resistance signal, linking the lipid panel to metabolic health.
- It sets the baseline for deciding whether to add sharper markers like ApoB and Lp(a).
Related protocols
Sources
AgeGen lab guides are educational only. We do not provide medical diagnosis, prescribe brands, or recommend specific doses. Talk to a licensed clinician before changing your supplement or medication routine.