NOTE: This article is based on research that utilizes the sources cited here as well as the collective experience of the Lab Tests Online Editorial Review Board. This article is periodically reviewed by the Editorial Board and may be updated as a result of the review. Any new sources cited will be added to the list and distinguished from the original sources used.

We have included the web address to online sources used in developing and reviewing this article for documentation purposes only. Links included on this Sources page are valid, working links at the time they are posted. Please be aware that the source owner may, from time to time, reorganize the source web site, which can result in broken links on our pages. If you wish to access a source and come across a broken link, you may still be able to access it by entering just the parent web address in your browser's address bar (eg, "www.nih.gov") and then by entering the source title in the site's search feature.

Pagana K, Pagana T. Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests. 3rd Edition, St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier; 2006 pp 351-357.

National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute. National Cholesterol Education Program Guidelines, Cholesterol, ATP III (online information). Available online at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov. Accessed February 2008.

Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. McPherson R, Pincus M, eds. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier: 2007.

Falko JM, Moser RJ, Meis SB, Caulin-Glaser T. Cardiovascular disease risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome: focus on aggressive management of dyslipidemia. Curr Diabetes Rev. 2005 May;1(2):127-35.

Hayashi T, et. al. Importance of Lipid Levels in Elderly Diabetic Individuals—Baseline Characteristics and 1-Year Survey of Cardiovascular Events. Cir J 2008; 72:218—225.

American Academy of Pediatrics. 7 Jul 2008. AAP issues new guidelines on cholesterol screening (press release). Available online at http://www.aap.org/new/july08lipidscreening.htm through http://www.aap.org. Accessed August 2008.

Sources Used in Previous Reviews

Thomas, Clayton L., Editor (1997). Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, PA [18th Edition].

American Heart Association. "What are healthy levels of cholesterol?" Available online at http://216.185.112.5/presenter.jhtml?identifier=183.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services. Third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure in adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). Bethesda, Md. 2001 May. Available online at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol/atp3_rpt.htm through http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov.

American Heart Association. "Numbers That Count for a Healthy Heart." Available online at http://www.americanheart.org.