Lipid Panel
A blood test measuring total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Lipid panels are used to assess cardiovascular risk and are common secondary endpoints in metabolic peptide drug trials. GLP-1 receptor agonists can modestly improve lipid profiles.
Technical Context
Standard lipid panel: total cholesterol, LDL-C (calculated by Friedewald equation or direct measurement), HDL-C, and triglycerides. Advanced panels may include: non-HDL-C (total minus HDL — includes all atherogenic particles), apoB (one molecule per atherogenic particle — most accurate measure of particle number), Lp(a) (genetically determined atherogenic lipoprotein), and LDL particle size/number. For metabolic peptide drug trials: lipid parameters are standard secondary endpoints. GLP-1 RA effects: triglyceride reduction approximately 10-20%, LDL-C reduction approximately 0-5%, HDL-C increase approximately 1-3%, total cholesterol reduction approximately 3-8%. Tirzepatide showed somewhat larger lipid improvements. Somatostatin analogues can worsen lipid profiles (by reducing insulin secretion and affecting hepatic lipid metabolism). Lipid monitoring is standard at baseline and periodically during metabolic peptide drug therapy, particularly in patients with pre-existing dyslipidaemia.