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Cholesterol test - Results

Alternative Names

Total cholesterol test

Normal Values:

Total cholesterol is an important measure of both bad and good cholesterol. Other lab tests are done to measure specific amounts of good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol. A cholesterol breakdown including LDL and HDL is preferred.

The total cholesterol values listed below are used to target therapy:

  • Desirable: Under 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
  • Borderline high: 200 to 239 mg/dL
  • High risk: 240 mg/dL and higher

What abnormal results mean:

In general, a total cholesterol value over 200 mg/dL may mean you have a greater risk for heart disease. However, LDL levels are a better predictor of heart disease, and they determine how your high cholesterol should be treated.

High total cholesterol levels may be caused by:

Low cholesterol levels may be caused by:

  • Reviewed last on: 1/22/2008
  • Larry A. Weinrauch, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Private practice specializing in Cardiovascular Disease, Watertown, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Executive Summary of The Third Report of The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, And Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol In Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). JAMA. 2001 May 16;285(19):2486-97.