Cholesterol and Triglycerides Tests

HDL Cholesterol Test, LDL Cholesterol Test, Lipid Profile, Lipoprotein Analysis, Total Cholesterol Test, Triglycerides and Cholesterol Tests

Results

Cholesterol and triglyceride tests are blood tests that measure the total amount of fatty substances (cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood.

Results are usually available within 24 hours.

Cholesterol and triglyceride levels vary according to your age and sex. Results may also vary from lab to lab.

Cholesterol and triglycerides*

Total cholesterol	Desirable:	Less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) Less than 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)
	Borderline high:	200–239 mg/dL 5.2–6.2 mmol/L
	High:	240 mg/dL or higher 6.2 mmol/L or higher
HDL cholesterol	High (desirable):	More than 60 mg/dL More than 1.6 mmol/L
	Acceptable:	40–60 mg/dL 1.0–1.6 mmol/L
	Low (undesirable):	Less than 40 mg/dL Less than 1.0 mmol/L
Total cholesterol-to-HDL ratio	Desirable:	5:1 or less
	Undesirable:	More than 5:1
LDL cholesterol	Optimal:	Less than 100 mg/dL Less than 2.6 mmol/L
	Near optimal:	100–129 mg/dL 2.6–3.3 mmol/L
	Borderline high:	130–159 mg/dL 3.4–4.1 mmol/L
	High:	160–189 mg/dL 4.1-4.9 mmol/L or higher
	Very high:	190 mg/dL or higher 4.9 mmol/L or higher
VLDL cholesterol	Optimal:	Less than 130 mg/dL Less than 3.4 mmol/L
	Borderline high:	140–159 mg/dL 3.4–4.1 mmol/L
	High:	160 mg/dL or higher 4.1 mmol/L or higher
Triglycerides	Normal:	Less than 150 mg/dL Less than 1.7 mmol/L
	Borderline high:	150–199 mg/dL 1.7–2.3 mmol/L
	High:	200-499 mg/dL 2.3-5.6 mmol/L
	Very high:	500 mg/dL or higher 5.6 mmol/L or higher
*The figures in this table are provided by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

 

• An HDL level of 60 mg/dL (1.5 mmol/L) or higher protects against heart disease.
• HDL cholesterol levels of 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) or lower increase your risk of developing heart disease, especially if you also have high total cholesterol levels.
• Very high cholesterol and triglyceride levels may be caused by an inherited form of high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia or hyperlipidemia).
• If you have a very high risk of having a heart attack, your doctor may want your LDL level to be less than 70 mg/dL. You have a very high risk if you smoke and have coronary artery disease, or if you have coronary artery disease and diabetes, acute coronary syndrome, or metabolic syndrome.

Many conditions can affect cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Your health professional will talk with you about any abnormal results that may be related to your other health problems.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: September 13, 2007
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
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