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What Is a Good HDL & LDL Reading?

HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the "good" cholesterol that sweeps away the "bad" LDL (low-density lipoprotein) from the walls of blood vessels. Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dL).

  1. LDL

    • Any LDL level above 160 mg/dL is considered high. Optimal levels of LDL are below 100 mg/dL, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    HDL

    • With HDL, higher levels are better; good HDL levels are 50 to 59 mg/dL, though 60 mg/dL or above is optimal. Any HDL reading below 50mg/dL is considered poor.

    Gender

    • The optimal amounts of HDL vary between men and women. Men with HDL levels below 40mg/dL are considered poor. For women, 50m/dL are too low.

    Types

    • Cholesterol screenings typically measure HDL, LDL and triglycerides--a form of fat--for the total cholesterol reading, which should be below 200 mg/dL.

    Considerations

    • Target cholesterol levels can vary depending on risk factors for heart disease. Smokers, people who are overweight and those with a family history of early heart disease might need to maintain different optimal levels that are determined by their doctor.

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