Which laboratory test is most important for tracking a patient's response to statin therapy?

Monitoring a patient's response to statin therapy primarily involves evaluating the effectiveness of the medication in lowering lipid levels, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. Therefore, the lipid panel is the most crucial laboratory test for this purpose. It provides quantitative measurements of various lipid fractions, including LDL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol, and triglycerides, allowing healthcare providers to assess whether the statin therapy is achieving its intended goals in managing dyslipidemia.

While liver function tests are important for monitoring the potential side effects of statins, they are not the primary gauge of therapy effectiveness. A complete blood count (CBC) with differential and an electrolyte panel are not directly relevant in assessing the lipid-lowering efficacy of statins, making the lipid panel the clear choice for tracking the patient's response to therapy.