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What is the difference between cholesterol and serum cholesterol?

Published in Cholesterol Levels 2 mins read

Essentially, "cholesterol" refers to a type of fat or lipid found in the body, while "serum cholesterol" specifically represents the total amount of cholesterol present in your blood. Think of it like this: cholesterol is the general category, and serum cholesterol is a measurement within that category.

To clarify further, let's break it down:

  • Cholesterol: A waxy, fat-like substance that's both made by your body and found in certain foods. Your body needs it to build healthy cells, but high levels can lead to health problems.

  • Serum Cholesterol: This is a measurement obtained from a blood test. It indicates the total cholesterol concentration in your blood. According to information available from 22-Sept-2021, a person's serum cholesterol level comprises the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides in the blood.

Therefore, serum cholesterol gives you a snapshot of the cholesterol levels circulating in your bloodstream, which is a key indicator of cardiovascular health.

Feature Cholesterol Serum Cholesterol
Definition A type of lipid (fat) in the body. The measurement of total cholesterol in the blood.
Representation General term for the substance. Specific quantitative value.
Components Exists in various forms throughout the body. Composed of HDL, LDL, and triglycerides.
Measurement N/A Measured via a blood test.

In simpler terms, cholesterol is the substance itself, and serum cholesterol is how much of that substance is in your blood. Monitoring serum cholesterol is important for assessing and managing heart health risks.