Cholesterol Numbers: What the Four Numbers Mean

Cholesterol is measured with a blood test. The test is called a lipoprotein panel. It is also called a lipid panel.

One blood sample gives all the numbers on this page.

Results are written in mg/dL. That means milligrams per deciliter of blood.

The panel lists four cholesterol numbers. It also lists triglycerides, which are a fat, not a cholesterol.

• Total cholesterol

  This is the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. It includes both LDL and HDL cholesterol added together.

• LDL cholesterol“bad” cholesterol

  LDL is often called bad cholesterol. It is the main source of cholesterol buildup and blockage in the arteries.

• HDL cholesterol“good” cholesterol

  HDL is often called good cholesterol. It helps remove cholesterol from your arteries.

• Non-HDL cholesterol

  This number is your total cholesterol minus your HDL. It includes LDL and other types of cholesterol, such as VLDL. MedlinePlus says it gives a better picture of all the bad types of cholesterol.

• Triglycerides

  Triglycerides are not a cholesterol. They are another type of fat in your blood. The same test measures them. Your body uses them for energy, and stores extra calories as triglycerides.

MedlinePlus lists different healthy levels for younger people, for men, and for women. Pick a group to see its levels.

Pick a group:

Healthy levels — men, age 20 or older

Number	Healthy level

These are the general levels MedlinePlus lists as healthy for most people in this group. They are not a personal target for anyone. Read the box below about your own targets.

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MedlinePlus uses these levels for triglycerides in adults:

Level	Triglycerides
Normal	Below 150 mg/dL
Borderline high	150 to 199 mg/dL
High	200 to 499 mg/dL
Very high	500 mg/dL or more

Levels for children and teens are different. A child’s provider can explain what a child’s results mean.

MedlinePlus lists many things that can affect cholesterol levels. Some of them can change:

• Food. Saturated fat in food makes blood cholesterol rise. Foods high in saturated fat include red meats, full-fat dairy products, chocolate, some baked goods, and many deep-fried and processed foods.
• Weight. Being overweight tends to increase cholesterol.
• Activity. Not being physically active is a risk factor for heart disease.
• Smoking. Cigarette smoking lowers HDL cholesterol, the good kind.

Some things cannot change, and they can also affect levels:

• Age. Cholesterol levels tend to rise as people get older.
• Sex. Risk changes with age, and a woman’s risk goes up after menopause.
• Family history. Genes partly decide how much cholesterol the body makes. High cholesterol can run in families.
• Ethnicity. Ethnicity may raise the risk of high cholesterol.

• Before the test: you will usually need to fast for 9 to 12 hours. Fasting means no food or drink except water. Follow the instructions your provider gives you.
• During the test: a health care professional takes a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. The blood goes into a test tube or vial.
• How long: it usually takes less than five minutes. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out.
• After the test: there is very little risk. You may have slight pain or bruising where the needle went in, and it usually goes away quickly.