HEALTH CONDITION
Cholesterol levels
About your cholesterol result
A cholesterol test can measure:
- total cholesterol – the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood, including both "good" and "bad" cholesterol
- good cholesterol (called HDL) – this makes you less likely to have heart problems or a stroke
- bad cholesterol (called LDL and non-HDL) – this makes you more likely to have heart problems or a stroke
- triglycerides – a fatty substance similar to bad cholesterol
When you get your result, you may just be told your total cholesterol.
You might be able to get separate results for your good and bad cholesterol and triglycerides. Ask your doctor or nurse.
Check what your cholesterol levels should be
This is just a guide. The levels you should aim for might be different. Ask your doctor or nurse what your levels should be.
| Result | Healthy level |
|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | 5 or below |
| HDL (good cholesterol) | 1 or above |
| LDL (bad cholesterol) | 3 or below |
| Non-HDL (bad cholesterol) | 4 or below |
| Triglycerides | 2.3 or below |
Page last reviewed: Fri Apr 2022 Next review due: Wed Feb 2020
