Total Cholesterol: What It Is and What Your Results Mean

Name: Total Cholesterol: What It Is and What Your Results Mean
Creator: Ernestas K.

Bottom line: Total cholesterol combines LDL, HDL, and VLDL. Below 200 mg/dL is desirable. Best interpreted alongside a full lipid panel.

What Is Total Cholesterol?

Total cholesterol is the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood, including LDL, HDL, and VLDL cholesterol. It provides a broad snapshot of your cholesterol status.

While total cholesterol is useful as a screening tool, it does not tell the full story. A person can have high total cholesterol because their HDL (good cholesterol) is very high, which is actually protective. Conversely, someone with normal total cholesterol could have dangerously high LDL.

For this reason, total cholesterol is best interpreted alongside a complete lipid panel that breaks down LDL, HDL, and triglycerides separately.

Total Cholesterol Reference Ranges

Classification	Range (mg/dL)
Low	Below 150
Desirable	150 - 199
Borderline High	200 - 239
High	240 - 299
Very High	300 - 500

What Affects Your Total Cholesterol Levels?

Diet, particularly saturated fat and dietary cholesterol
Physical activity and exercise habits
Body weight and fat distribution
Age (cholesterol tends to increase with age)
Genetics and family history
Certain medications and medical conditions

When to Get Tested

All adults should have a lipid panel including total cholesterol every 4-6 years starting at age 20. More frequent testing is recommended for those with risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Look Up Your Total Cholesterol Result

Select your value below to see a detailed breakdown of what it means:

Low

Total Cholesterol 100 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 110 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 120 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 130 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 140 mg/dL

Desirable

Total Cholesterol 150 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 160 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 170 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 180 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 190 mg/dL

Borderline High

Total Cholesterol 200 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 210 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 220 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 230 mg/dL

High

Total Cholesterol 240 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 250 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 260 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 270 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 280 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 290 mg/dL

Very High

Total Cholesterol 300 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 320 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 340 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 360 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 380 mg/dL Total Cholesterol 400 mg/dL

Read the Full Cholesterol Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a healthy total cholesterol level?

Below 200 mg/dL is desirable. 200-239 mg/dL is borderline high. 240 mg/dL and above is considered high. However, the breakdown of LDL and HDL matters more than the total number.

Is total cholesterol or LDL more important?

LDL cholesterol is generally considered more important for assessing cardiovascular risk. Total cholesterol can be misleading because it includes HDL, which is protective.

Can total cholesterol be too low?

Cholesterol below 150 mg/dL is uncommon and may be associated with certain health conditions. Discuss very low readings with your doctor.

Ernestas K.

Clinical Research Writer