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Cholesterol Test

Also called: Triglyceride Test, VLDL Test, Total Cholesterol Test, HDL Test, Blood Fat Profile, Lipoprotein Analysis, LDL Test, Lipid Profile

- Summary
- About cholesterol tests
- Types and differences
- Factors that may affect results
- Normal results
- Abnormal results
- Frequency of testing
- Treatments that may follow
- Questions for your doctor

Reviewed By:
Kerry Prewitt, M.D., FACC
Robert J. Kramer, M.D., FACC, FCCP

Factors that may affect cholesterol test results

Many factors can affect the results of a cholesterol test, including alcohol use or recent illness. It will also be difficult to obtain an accurate triglyceride count if the patient fails to stop eating and drinking for the required period of time before testing (usually six to 12 hours). Patients should follow their physician’s restrictions on diet, exercise and medication use prior to the test. They also need to be sure their physician knows of all prescription and over-the-counter medications they are taking, because many of these substances can affect the accuracy of test results.

Normal cholesterol test results

A normal cholesterol test does not necessarily mean the person is at low risk of heart-related problems. Up to 50 percent of heart attacks each year occur in patients with normal cholesterol tests. Regular checkups with a physician are important, regardless of test results.

All cholesterol measurements in this guide are given in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Labs outside of the United States may use different units of measure for cholesterol levels. To convert a cholesterol level from milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) to international units (IU), multiply the mg/dL cholesterol level by 0.0259 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). For example, a cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL is equal to a cholesterol level of 5.18 IU. Normal levels are as follows:

Total cholesterol. Patients are encouraged to keep their level below 200. A level greater than 240 mg/dL may signal hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol). Values tend to increase with age. Women generally have lower cholesterol levels than men until they reach menopause or have their ovaries removed. Women commonly have elevated cholesterol levels during pregnancy.
Triglyceride levels. Normal levels are less than 150 mg/dl. Values tend to increase with age. Levels over 150 mg/dl are considered borderline-high, and levels greater than 199 mg/dl are considered high.
Lipoprotein/cholesterol fractionation. The recommended HDL level is 40 or greater, while the LDL level should optimally be less than 100 (with levels of 160 or greater considered high). The American College of Cardiology recommends that women maintain an HDL cholesterol level of at least 45. HDL levels above 60 mg/dL are considered helpful to heart health because HDL carries excess cholesterol out of the body. LDL levels over 190 mg/dL may signal an increased risk of coronary artery disease and are of significant concern.
Cholesterol ratio. According to the American Heart Association, the level of total cholesterol should not be more than five times the level of HDLs (a ratio of 5:1).
Apolipoproteins. Normal Apo-B levels are 40 to 125 mg/dL. Apo-C-II levels are normally reported as “present” or “absent,” with “present” being the desired result. Normal apo-A levels are under 30 mg/dL.