Cholesterol and Triglycerides Tests - Results

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About this test

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. The normal values listed here—called a reference range—are just a guide. These ranges vary from lab to lab, and your lab may have a different range for what’s normal. Your lab report should contain the range your lab uses. Also, your doctor will evaluate your results based on your health and other factors. This means that a value that falls outside the normal values listed here may still be normal for you or your lab.

Cholesterol and triglycerides*

Total cholesterol

Desirable:

 

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):

  • 60 mg/dL or higher
  • 1.6 mmol/L or higher

 

Acceptable:

  • 40–60 mg/dL
  • 1.0–1.6 mmol/L

 

Low (undesirable):

  • Less than 40 mg/dL
  • Less than 1.0 mmol/L

LDL cholesterol

Optimal:

  • Less than 100 mg/dL (less than 70 mg/dL for people at high risk for a heart attack)
  • Less than 2.6 mmol/L (less than 1.8 mmol/L for people at high risk for a heart attack)

 

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:

  • 30 mg/dL or less
  • 0.78 mmol/L or less

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.
  • An HDL cholesterol level less than 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) raise your risk of developing heart disease, especially if you also have high total cholesterol levels.
  • The ratio of total cholesterol to "good" (HDL) cholesterol may be important, especially if total cholesterol is high.
  • Very high cholesterol and triglyceride levels may be caused by an inherited form of high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia or hyperlipidemia).
  • Talk with your doctor about other things that raise your risk for heart problems. Your doctor may change your goals for cholesterol levels if you have other risk factors for coronary artery disease, such as:
    • Smoking.
    • High blood pressure.
    • Diabetes.
    • Low HDL cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL).
    • Family history of early CAD.
    • You are a man and older than 45, or you are a woman and older than 55.
  • 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 may be at 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.
  • To find out your risk of a heart attack, see:
Interactive Tool: Are You at Risk for a Heart Attack?Click here to see an interactive tool.

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.

By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: August 13, 2009
Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Carl Orringer, MD - Cardiology, Clinical Lipidology

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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