BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuHDL testHDL cholesterol; High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levelsThe high-density lipoprotein (HDL) test is a blood test to measure the amount of HDL cholesterol in your blood. HDL is a type of fat (lipid) in your blood.HDL is called "good" cholesterol because it helps prevent low-density lipoprotein (LDL) "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides from building up in the arteries. HDL picks up LDL in the blood and carries it to the liver. The liver breaks down LDL cholesterol, and it is passed from the body as waste.The HDL test is often done as part of a lipid profile, which measures other fats in your blood:Lipid profileLipids are fatty, wax-like substances found in the body. Your body needs lipids for proper body functions, growth, and energy. Two important types ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Total cholesterol Total cholesterolTotal cholesterol is a blood test to measure all types of cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol is a fatty, wax-like substance found in all parts o...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article LDL cholesterol LDL cholesterolThe low-density lipoprotein (LDL) test is a blood test to measure the amount of LDL cholesterol in your blood. LDL is a type of fat (lipid) in your ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Triglycerides TriglyceridesThe triglyceride level is a blood test to measure the amount of triglycerides in your blood. Triglycerides are a type of fat. Your body makes some t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol (which is usually calculated from the triglyceride level rather than measured directly)VLDL cholesterolVLDL stands for very low density lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are made up of cholesterol, triglycerides, and proteins. They move cholesterol, triglyce...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How the Test is Performed A blood sample is needed. Most of the time, blood is drawn from a vein located on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.Blood is drawn from a veinVenipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test You should not eat for 9 to 12 hours before the test.Alcohol and some medicines can interfere with blood test results.Make sure your health care provider knows what medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements. Your provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines before you have this test. Do not stop or change your medicines without talking to your provider first. How the Test will Feel You may feel slight pain or a sting when the needle is inserted. You may also feel some throbbing at the site after the blood is drawn. Why the Test is Performed HDL cholesterol is usually measured together with other blood fats. Often it is done to help determine your risk of developing heart disease.High HDL helps lower your risk for:Heart disease Heart diseaseCoronary heart disease is a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is also called co...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Heart attack Heart attackMost heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article StrokeStrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results You want your HDL cholesterol to be high (unless it is due to a condition described below). Optimal values are 60 mg/dL or 1.55 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) or above.At risk:Men - Less than 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L) Women - Less than 50 mg/dL (1.29 mmol/L)Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results Mean Low HDL cholesterol levels may be due to:Eating a diet high in saturated fats or a diet high in carbohydrates and low in fat Lack of physical activity Being overweight or having obesity Being overweightOverweight and obesity mean having a weight than is higher than what is healthy for a given height. A person may be overweight from extra muscle, bo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Having obesityObesity means weighing more than what is healthy for a given height. Obesity is a serious, chronic disease. It can lead to other health problems, i...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndromeMetabolic syndrome is a name for a group of risk factors that occur together and increase the chance of having coronary artery disease, stroke, and t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diabetes DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A disorder passed down through families in which there are high amounts of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood (familial combined hyperlipidemia) Familial combined hyperlipidemiaFamilial combined hyperlipidemia is a disorder that is passed down through families. It causes high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Side effect of certain medicinesOverall, the treatment of low HDL focuses on increased exercise and changes in the diet.An elevated HDL is anything over 80 mg/dL (2.0 mmol/L). This can be a result of:A genetic variation that causes the body to produce too much HDL Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) HyperthyroidismHyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Drinking too much alcohol Risks There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:Fainting or feeling lightheaded FaintingFainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The episode most often lasts less than a couple of minutes and y...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Multiple punctures to locate veins Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin) HematomaBleeding into the skin can occur from broken blood vessels that form tiny red dots (called petechiae). Blood also can collect under the tissue in la...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Excessive bleeding Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) Considerations Certain medicines, pregnancy, infection, and some medical conditions can affect test results.Open ReferencesReferencesBredefeld CL, Lau R, Hussain MM. Lipids and dyslipoproteinemia. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 18.Genest J, Mora S, Libby P. Lipoprotein disorders and cardiovascular disease. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli, GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 27.Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019;139(25):e1046-e1081. PMID: 30565953 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30565953/.Mora S, Libby P, Ridker PM. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli, GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 25.Robinson JG. Disorders of lipid metabolism. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 190.AllVideoImagesTogCholesterol - illustration Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance that is present in all parts of the body including the nervous system, skin, muscle, liver, intestines, and heart. It is made by the body and obtained from animal products in the diet. Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver and is needed for normal body functions including the production of hormones, bile acid, and Vitamin D. Excessive cholesterol in the blood contributes to atherosclerosis and subsequent heart disease. The risk of developing heart disease or atherosclerosis increases as the level of blood cholesterol increases.CholesterolillustrationCholesterol producers - illustration Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like material that is found in all parts of the body. It comes from two sources: our liver produces it, and we consume it in animal products.Cholesterol producersillustrationBlood test - illustration Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.Blood testillustrationCholesterol - illustration Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance that is present in all parts of the body including the nervous system, skin, muscle, liver, intestines, and heart. It is made by the body and obtained from animal products in the diet. Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver and is needed for normal body functions including the production of hormones, bile acid, and Vitamin D. Excessive cholesterol in the blood contributes to atherosclerosis and subsequent heart disease. The risk of developing heart disease or atherosclerosis increases as the level of blood cholesterol increases.CholesterolillustrationCholesterol producers - illustration Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like material that is found in all parts of the body. It comes from two sources: our liver produces it, and we consume it in animal products.Cholesterol producersillustrationBlood test - illustration Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.Blood testillustrationSelf Care Cholesterol testing and results Tests for HDL test HDL testRelated Information Review Date: 7/25/2024 Reviewed By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. 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HDL testHDL cholesterol; High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levelsThe high-density lipoprotein (HDL) test is a blood test to measure the amount of HDL cholesterol in your blood. HDL is a type of fat (lipid) in your blood.HDL is called "good" cholesterol because it helps prevent low-density lipoprotein (LDL) "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides from building up in the arteries. HDL picks up LDL in the blood and carries it to the liver. The liver breaks down LDL cholesterol, and it is passed from the body as waste.The HDL test is often done as part of a lipid profile, which measures other fats in your blood:Lipid profileLipids are fatty, wax-like substances found in the body. Your body needs lipids for proper body functions, growth, and energy. Two important types ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Total cholesterol Total cholesterolTotal cholesterol is a blood test to measure all types of cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol is a fatty, wax-like substance found in all parts o...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article LDL cholesterol LDL cholesterolThe low-density lipoprotein (LDL) test is a blood test to measure the amount of LDL cholesterol in your blood. LDL is a type of fat (lipid) in your ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Triglycerides TriglyceridesThe triglyceride level is a blood test to measure the amount of triglycerides in your blood. Triglycerides are a type of fat. Your body makes some t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol (which is usually calculated from the triglyceride level rather than measured directly)VLDL cholesterolVLDL stands for very low density lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are made up of cholesterol, triglycerides, and proteins. They move cholesterol, triglyce...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How the Test is Performed A blood sample is needed. Most of the time, blood is drawn from a vein located on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.Blood is drawn from a veinVenipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test You should not eat for 9 to 12 hours before the test.Alcohol and some medicines can interfere with blood test results.Make sure your health care provider knows what medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements. Your provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines before you have this test. Do not stop or change your medicines without talking to your provider first. How the Test will Feel You may feel slight pain or a sting when the needle is inserted. You may also feel some throbbing at the site after the blood is drawn. Why the Test is Performed HDL cholesterol is usually measured together with other blood fats. Often it is done to help determine your risk of developing heart disease.High HDL helps lower your risk for:Heart disease Heart diseaseCoronary heart disease is a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is also called co...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Heart attack Heart attackMost heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article StrokeStrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results You want your HDL cholesterol to be high (unless it is due to a condition described below). Optimal values are 60 mg/dL or 1.55 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) or above.At risk:Men - Less than 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L) Women - Less than 50 mg/dL (1.29 mmol/L)Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results Mean Low HDL cholesterol levels may be due to:Eating a diet high in saturated fats or a diet high in carbohydrates and low in fat Lack of physical activity Being overweight or having obesity Being overweightOverweight and obesity mean having a weight than is higher than what is healthy for a given height. A person may be overweight from extra muscle, bo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Having obesityObesity means weighing more than what is healthy for a given height. Obesity is a serious, chronic disease. It can lead to other health problems, i...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndromeMetabolic syndrome is a name for a group of risk factors that occur together and increase the chance of having coronary artery disease, stroke, and t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diabetes DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A disorder passed down through families in which there are high amounts of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood (familial combined hyperlipidemia) Familial combined hyperlipidemiaFamilial combined hyperlipidemia is a disorder that is passed down through families. It causes high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Side effect of certain medicinesOverall, the treatment of low HDL focuses on increased exercise and changes in the diet.An elevated HDL is anything over 80 mg/dL (2.0 mmol/L). This can be a result of:A genetic variation that causes the body to produce too much HDL Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) HyperthyroidismHyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often called overactive thyroid.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Drinking too much alcohol Risks There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:Fainting or feeling lightheaded FaintingFainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The episode most often lasts less than a couple of minutes and y...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Multiple punctures to locate veins Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin) HematomaBleeding into the skin can occur from broken blood vessels that form tiny red dots (called petechiae). Blood also can collect under the tissue in la...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Excessive bleeding Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken) Considerations Certain medicines, pregnancy, infection, and some medical conditions can affect test results.Open ReferencesReferencesBredefeld CL, Lau R, Hussain MM. Lipids and dyslipoproteinemia. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 18.Genest J, Mora S, Libby P. Lipoprotein disorders and cardiovascular disease. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli, GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 27.Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019;139(25):e1046-e1081. PMID: 30565953 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30565953/.Mora S, Libby P, Ridker PM. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli, GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 25.Robinson JG. Disorders of lipid metabolism. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 190.
