HDL cholesterol blood test
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol
In short
A typical adult HDL cholesterol result is over 50 mg/dL for women and over 40 mg/dL for men. A high HDL is usually a good sign. Very high levels do not seem to add extra protection. Always read your result against the range printed on your own report.
The 'good' cholesterol that carries extra cholesterol back to the liver.
HDL picks up extra cholesterol and carries it to the liver to be cleared. Higher levels are linked to lower heart risk, so HDL has a lower limit rather than an upper one. Women usually run higher than men.
Is my HDL cholesterol high or low?
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Typical range
| For | Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Female | over 50 | mg/dL |
| Male | over 40 | mg/dL |
| Female | over 1.3 | mmol/L |
| Male | over 1 | mmol/L |
Typical ranges for adults. Labs differ a little, so the range printed next to your result is the one to go by.
If your HDL cholesterol is high
A high HDL is usually a good sign. Very high levels do not seem to add extra protection.
Common reasons
- Regular physical activity
- Genes: high HDL can run in families
- Drinking alcohol regularly
- Some hormone therapy or birth control pills
- Less often: a liver condition or a rare inherited variant
If your HDL cholesterol is low
A low HDL adds to heart risk, especially alongside high triglycerides or high blood sugar. How much it matters depends on your overall heart risk, which your doctor weighs.
Common reasons
- Little physical activity
- Extra body weight, especially around the waist
- Smoking
- High triglycerides, high blood sugar or type 2 diabetes
- Genes: low HDL can run in families
- Some medicines, including some blood pressure medicines and anabolic steroids
- Less often: liver disease or a rare inherited condition with very low HDL
What can throw it off
A recent illness or infection can lower HDL for a few weeks.
Questions to take to your appointment
- 1How much does my HDL change my overall heart risk?
- 2Do my triglycerides and blood sugar look okay too?
- 3Could any of my medicines be lowering it?
Read together with
Doctors rarely read HDL cholesterol alone. These usually sit next to it.
Quick answers
What is the HDL cholesterol blood test?
HDL cholesterol (High-density lipoprotein cholesterol): The 'good' cholesterol that carries extra cholesterol back to the liver. HDL picks up extra cholesterol and carries it to the liver to be cleared. Higher levels are linked to lower heart risk, so HDL has a lower limit rather than an upper one. Women usually run higher than men.
What is a normal HDL cholesterol level?
For most adults, HDL cholesterol is typically over 50 mg/dL for women and over 40 mg/dL for men. Some countries print it in mmol/L, so check the unit first. Labs differ a little, so the range printed next to your result is the one to go by.
What does a high HDL cholesterol mean?
A high HDL is usually a good sign. Very high levels do not seem to add extra protection. Common reasons include regular physical activity; genes: high HDL can run in families; drinking alcohol regularly; and some hormone therapy or birth control pills. A doctor reads it together with your other results and how you feel.
What does a low HDL cholesterol mean?
A low HDL adds to heart risk, especially alongside high triglycerides or high blood sugar. How much it matters depends on your overall heart risk, which your doctor weighs. Common reasons include little physical activity; extra body weight, especially around the waist; smoking; and high triglycerides, high blood sugar or type 2 diabetes.
What can affect my HDL cholesterol result?
A recent illness or infection can lower HDL for a few weeks.
What should I ask my doctor about my HDL cholesterol?
Questions worth taking to the appointment: How much does my HDL change my overall heart risk? Do my triglycerides and blood sugar look okay too? Could any of my medicines be lowering it?
What this page can’t do
It reads each number on its own.
Doctors read results together — ALT with AST, ferritin with hemoglobin, TSH with free T4. A pattern says more than any single flag.
It doesn't know you.
Your age, your medicines, how you feel and your last result all change what a number means.
It doesn't remember.
Close this page and your results are gone. That's on purpose: nothing was ever sent to us.
We also make Vita: Health Coach, an app for those parts. It reads your whole report with your medicines and history in mind, answers follow-up questions in plain words, and keeps your reports in one place — for you and for the people you look after.
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