A lipid panel measures fats in your blood. Together with your blood pressure, age, smoking, diabetes and family history, it helps estimate your risk of heart attack and stroke.
There is no single "normal" for everyone. A doctor sets a target for you based on your overall risk, so the same number can be fine for one person and too high for another.
Every lab sets its own normal range, based on its equipment and the people it tests. Always compare your result with the range printed on your own report.
Why this test is done
- Routine heart health check in adults
- Diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of early heart disease
- Checking how well a diet change or medicine is working
What each result means
Total cholesterol
All the cholesterol in your blood.
Typical adult range: Under 200 mg/dL (about 5.2 mmol/L) is usually called desirable.
If high: Higher values raise heart risk, mostly because of the LDL part.
LDL cholesterol("bad" cholesterol)
Cholesterol that can build up in artery walls.
Typical adult range: Under 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) is often called optimal; people at higher risk are given lower targets.
If high: The main number doctors try to lower to protect the heart and blood vessels.
HDL cholesterol("good" cholesterol)
Cholesterol carried away from the arteries to the liver.
Typical adult range: Usually 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) or more in men and 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) or more in women.
If low: Low HDL is linked to higher heart risk. Activity, not smoking and a healthy weight can raise it.
Non-HDL cholesterol
Total cholesterol minus HDL: all the cholesterol that can clog arteries.
Typical adult range: Often under 130 mg/dL (about 3.4 mmol/L); your doctor may set a lower target.
If high: Another way to see risk, useful when triglycerides are high.
Triglycerides
A type of fat that stores energy from food.
Typical adult range: Under 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) is normal; 150 to 199 is borderline; 200 to 499 is high; 500 (5.6 mmol/L) or more is very high.
If high: Can rise after a meal, with alcohol, excess weight, diabetes, an underactive thyroid and some medicines. Very high levels can inflame the pancreas.
Before the test
- Many labs no longer need fasting. If yours asks for it, it is usually 9 to 12 hours with water only.
- To convert cholesterol: mg/dL divided by 38.67 gives mmol/L. For triglycerides divide by 88.57.
Questions to ask your doctor
- What is my LDL target, given my overall risk?
- Should I have my 10-year heart risk calculated?
- What changes would make the biggest difference for me?
- Do I need a repeat test, and was this a fasting sample?
When to get help fast: Cholesterol itself causes no symptoms. Call emergency services for chest pain, pain spreading to the arm or jaw, sudden weakness on one side or trouble speaking. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Sources
This guide is general information written in plain words. It is not medical advice and has not been reviewed by a doctor for your situation. Read our medical disclaimer.