Test ID: B-221 | Sample Type: Dried Blood Spot | Test Method: Immunoassay | Results: 3–5 Working Days | Laboratory: ZRT Lab — CLIA Certified | Report: Specialist Doctor Comment Included
Could Your Cholesterol or Triglycerides Be Putting Your Heart at Risk?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women — yet it is still widely perceived as a male problem. Many women with high cholesterol or lipid imbalance have no obvious symptoms, and their risk is frequently underestimated or untested. As oestrogen declines during perimenopause and menopause, LDL cholesterol typically rises, HDL falls, and triglycerides increase — often rapidly and without warning. Women on the contraceptive pill or HRT may also see significant shifts in their lipid profile. If you recognise any of the following, a lipid test could give you the clarity you need:
- Fatigue or low energy with no clear cause
- Weight gain, especially around the abdomen or hips
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Family history of heart disease, stroke, or high cholesterol
- High-sugar or high-fat diet with little exercise
- Feeling unwell after eating fatty foods
- Perimenopausal or postmenopausal and concerned about changing cardiovascular risk
- Currently taking the contraceptive pill, HRT, or cholesterol-lowering medication
- Diagnosed with PCOS, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes
- Concerns about cardiovascular risk but no recent blood test
What This Test Measures
The Female Lipid Test Kit checks three essential cardiovascular and metabolic markers from a simple finger-prick blood spot:
- Total Cholesterol (CH) — Your overall cholesterol level; a key indicator of cardiovascular health that can shift significantly during hormonal transitions in women
- HDL Cholesterol (HDL) — The “good” cholesterol that protects your arteries and heart; HDL tends to decline with falling oestrogen and is particularly important to monitor in women after 40
- Triglycerides (TG) — Blood fats linked to metabolic risk, diet, and cardiovascular disease; elevated triglycerides are a strong predictor of heart disease risk in women and are closely associated with insulin resistance and PCOS
Together, these markers give a clear picture of your heart health, fat metabolism, and metabolic risk.
Lipid Test Reference Ranges
| Test | Unit | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol (CH) | mg/dL | 132–239 | 132–239 |
| HDL Cholesterol (HDL) | mg/dL | 40–60 | 40–60 |
| Triglycerides (TG) | mg/dL | <150 | <150 |
What Do These Lipid Markers Mean?
| Test | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol (CH) | Measures the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood, including HDL, LDL and other cholesterol-carrying particles. Your result should be interpreted alongside HDL, LDL, triglycerides and personal cardiovascular risk factors. The laboratory reference interval is 132–239 mg/dL, but being within this interval does not necessarily mean the result is ideal. |
| HDL Cholesterol (HDL) | Often called “good cholesterol.” HDL helps transport cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver for removal. Higher HDL is generally considered more favourable. The stated laboratory range is 40–60 mg/dL. Healthy targets can differ by sex; HDL above 40 mg/dL for men and above 50 mg/dL for women is generally considered favourable. |
| Triglycerides (TG) | A type of fat used by the body to store energy. Elevated levels may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk, particularly when combined with high LDL or low HDL. A fasting triglyceride result below 150 mg/dL is generally considered healthy. |
These results should not be considered individually. A healthcare professional may also consider LDL, non-HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, age and family history when assessing cardiovascular risk.
How It Works
- Order your kit — delivered to your door
- Collect your sample at home — a simple finger-prick blood spot; no clinic visit needed
- Post your sample to our CLIA-certified laboratory using the instructions provided
- Receive your results by email within 3–5 working days of the lab receiving your sample
What You Get With Your Results
Your personalised report includes:
- Your lipid levels displayed clearly in graphics and numbers
- A written interpretation by a Specialist PhD Doctor
- Guidance on what your results mean and what to do next
View a Sample Test Result Report
Who Is This Test For?
This test is ideal for women who want to:
- Monitor cholesterol and triglyceride levels without a GP appointment
- Understand how hormonal changes — from perimenopause, HRT, or the contraceptive pill — are affecting their cardiovascular risk
- Track the impact of diet, exercise, or medication on lipid levels
- Investigate lipid imbalances linked to PCOS or insulin resistance
- Take a proactive approach to heart health and longevity
Key Information
- Collect your sample from home and post to our lab — no clinic visit required
- Results delivered by email within 3–5 working days
- Laboratory fee included — no hidden costs or additional charges
- Valid for 12 months from the date of purchase
- Analysed by ZRT Laboratory — CLIA certified, with over 11 million tests performed
- Customers are responsible for posting their sample to the laboratory