What Are Normal Cholesterol Values?

A basic cholesterol reading has two values, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. A lipoprotein profile provides total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

Total Cholesterol

• A total cholesterol value below 200 mg/dL is considered optimal. A reading of 200 to 239 mg/dL is borderline high. And 240 mg/dL or above is considered high.

LDL "Bad" Cholesterol

• An LDL value below 100 mg/dL is considered optimal. A reading of 100 to 129 mg/dL is near or above optimal. A total of 130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline high. And 160 to 189 mg/dL is considered high, while 190 mg/dL or above is very high.

HDL "Good" Cholesterol

• An HDL value below 40 mg/dL (for men) or 50 mg/dL (for women) is classified as low HDL and is a major risk factor for heart disease. A reading of 60 mg/dL or above is high HDL.

Triglycerides

• A triglyceride level below 150 mg/dL is normal. A reading from 150 to 199 mg/dL is borderline high. A reading of 200 to 499 mg/dL is high, while 500 mg/dL or above is considered very high. A high triglyceride level combined with a low HDL or high LDL level increases the risk for heart attack and stroke.

Warning

• To ensure accuracy, no food, liquid or medication should be consumed for nine to 12 hours prior to a lipoprotein profile.