BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuTotal cholesterolSerum cholesterol; Lipid panel - total cholesterol; Lipid profile - 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 of the body.The cholesterol test is often done as part of a lipid profile, which measures the fats (lipids) 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 Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) LDL cholesterol)The 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 High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) HDL cholesterolThe 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...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Triglycerides (another type of fat in your blood) 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)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 Total cholesterol is usually measured together with other blood fats as part of a lipid profile. It is done to help determine your risk of developing heart disease.A high total cholesterol level may lead to atherosclerosis. This increases your risk for heart attack and stroke.AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis, sometimes called "hardening of the arteries," occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 StrokeA 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 Results may indicate:Optimal: Less than 200 mg/dL (5.18 mmol/L) Borderline high: 200 to 239 mg/dL (5.18 to 6.19 mmol/L) High: More than or equal to 240 mg/dL (6.22 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 A high total cholesterol level may be due to:High total cholesterol levelCholesterol is a fat (also called a lipid) that your body needs to work properly. Too much bad cholesterol in your blood can increase your chance of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Eating a diet high in saturated fats Lack of physical activity Stress Drinking too much alcohol 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 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 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 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 medicines Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) HypothyroidismHypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney or liver diseaseIf your total cholesterol is high, your provider may recommend changes in your lifestyle such as:LifestyleYour body needs cholesterol to work well. But cholesterol levels that are too high can harm you. In the US, blood cholesterol is most often measured...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Eating a healthy diet Losing weight (if you are overweight or have obesity) Getting regular exercise Quitting smoking Avoiding alcoholYou may also need medicine to lower your cholesterol level if you have diabetes or are at risk of heart disease. While taking medicines to lower your cholesterol level, you should continue the lifestyle changes.Medicine to lower your cholesterol leveYour body needs cholesterol to work properly. But extra cholesterol in your blood causes deposits to build up on the inside walls of your blood vess...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A low total cholesterol level is usually considered desirable. But, it may be due to serious medical conditions too, in which case it is undesirable:Rare genetic disorder that runs in families 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 Severe liver disease Malabsorption syndrome (conditions in which the small intestine does not absorb fats well) MalabsorptionMalabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in (absorb) nutrients from food.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Malnutrition MalnutritionMalnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CancerCancerCancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 resultsCholesterol and lifestyleCholesterol - drug treatmentDietary fats explained Tests for Total cholesterol Total cholesterolLipid profile testLDL testHDL 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. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Total cholesterolSerum cholesterol; Lipid panel - total cholesterol; Lipid profile - 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 of the body.The cholesterol test is often done as part of a lipid profile, which measures the fats (lipids) 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 Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) LDL cholesterol)The 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 High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) HDL cholesterolThe 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...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Triglycerides (another type of fat in your blood) 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)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 Total cholesterol is usually measured together with other blood fats as part of a lipid profile. It is done to help determine your risk of developing heart disease.A high total cholesterol level may lead to atherosclerosis. This increases your risk for heart attack and stroke.AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis, sometimes called "hardening of the arteries," occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 StrokeA 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 Results may indicate:Optimal: Less than 200 mg/dL (5.18 mmol/L) Borderline high: 200 to 239 mg/dL (5.18 to 6.19 mmol/L) High: More than or equal to 240 mg/dL (6.22 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 A high total cholesterol level may be due to:High total cholesterol levelCholesterol is a fat (also called a lipid) that your body needs to work properly. Too much bad cholesterol in your blood can increase your chance of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Eating a diet high in saturated fats Lack of physical activity Stress Drinking too much alcohol 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 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 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 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 medicines Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) HypothyroidismHypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney or liver diseaseIf your total cholesterol is high, your provider may recommend changes in your lifestyle such as:LifestyleYour body needs cholesterol to work well. But cholesterol levels that are too high can harm you. In the US, blood cholesterol is most often measured...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Eating a healthy diet Losing weight (if you are overweight or have obesity) Getting regular exercise Quitting smoking Avoiding alcoholYou may also need medicine to lower your cholesterol level if you have diabetes or are at risk of heart disease. While taking medicines to lower your cholesterol level, you should continue the lifestyle changes.Medicine to lower your cholesterol leveYour body needs cholesterol to work properly. But extra cholesterol in your blood causes deposits to build up on the inside walls of your blood vess...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A low total cholesterol level is usually considered desirable. But, it may be due to serious medical conditions too, in which case it is undesirable:Rare genetic disorder that runs in families 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 Severe liver disease Malabsorption syndrome (conditions in which the small intestine does not absorb fats well) MalabsorptionMalabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in (absorb) nutrients from food.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Malnutrition MalnutritionMalnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CancerCancerCancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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.
