From the Guidelines
A lipid panel should be checked every 5 years in adults under 40 years old who are not taking statins or other lipid-lowering therapy, as recommended by the most recent guidelines. This frequency of testing is based on the latest evidence from the 2023 standards of care in diabetes, which suggests that adults not taking statins or other lipid-lowering therapy should have a lipid profile obtained at the time of diabetes diagnosis, at an initial medical evaluation, and every 5 years thereafter if under the age of 40 1.
Key Considerations for Lipid Panel Testing
- Adults with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or those taking cholesterol-lowering medications like statins should have their lipid panels checked annually 1.
- People with a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease, or those who have previously abnormal results, may need testing every 1-2 years.
- Children should have their first lipid panel between ages 9-11 and again between 17-21.
- For those starting a new cholesterol medication, a follow-up lipid panel is typically recommended after 4-12 weeks to assess medication effectiveness 1.
- Regular monitoring is important because lipid levels can change over time due to lifestyle factors, medication effects, and aging, allowing for timely adjustments to treatment plans to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Lifestyle Therapy and Glycemic Control
- Intensify lifestyle therapy and optimize glycemic control for patients with elevated triglyceride levels ($150 mg/dL [1.7 mmol/L]) and/or low HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dL [1.0 mmol/L] for men, <50 mg/dL [1.3 mmol/L] for women) 1.
- Recommendations should focus on application of a Mediterranean or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating pattern, reducing saturated and trans fat intake and increasing plant stanols/sterols, n-3 fatty acids, and viscous fiber intake.
From the Research
Lipid Panel Check Frequency
The frequency of checking a lipid panel is not explicitly stated in the provided studies. However, the studies discuss the importance of lipid-lowering therapies in reducing the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and the role of statins, ezetimibe, and PCSK9 inhibitors in achieving this goal 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Factors Influencing Check Frequency
Several factors may influence the frequency of checking a lipid panel, including:
- The patient's risk level for ASCVD, with higher-risk patients requiring more frequent monitoring 3, 6
- The patient's response to lipid-lowering therapy, with those not achieving treatment goals requiring more frequent monitoring 2, 5
- The presence of other health conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, which may affect lipid levels and require more frequent monitoring 4, 5
Monitoring and Adjustment of Therapy
The studies emphasize the importance of monitoring and adjusting lipid-lowering therapy to achieve optimal LDL-C levels and reduce the risk of ASCVD. This may involve:
- Regular checks of lipid panels to assess the effectiveness of therapy and make adjustments as needed 2, 3, 5
- The use of combination therapy, such as statins and ezetimibe, to achieve optimal LDL-C levels 2, 5
- The consideration of newer therapies, such as PCSK9 inhibitors, for patients who are not achieving treatment goals with traditional therapies 3, 4, 6