Non-HDL cholesterol blood test
Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
In short
A typical adult Non-HDL cholesterol result is under 130 mg/dL (desirable). A high non-HDL cholesterol adds to heart and stroke risk over time. Your doctor sets the right target from your overall heart risk. Always read your result against the range printed on your own report.
All the 'bad' cholesterol together: total cholesterol minus HDL.
Non-HDL cholesterol is your total cholesterol minus your HDL. It counts the cholesterol in every particle that can build up in artery walls, including LDL. It works even if you were not fasting, and many doctors find it more useful than LDL alone.
Is my Non-HDL cholesterol high or low?
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Typical range
| For | Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Adults · desirable | under 130 | mg/dL |
| Adults · desirable | under 3.4 | 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 Non-HDL cholesterol is high
A high non-HDL cholesterol adds to heart and stroke risk over time. Your doctor sets the right target from your overall heart risk.
Common reasons
- High LDL or high triglycerides, which both feed into this number
- Foods high in saturated fat, such as fatty meat, butter and cheese
- Extra body weight, high blood sugar or little activity
- Genes: high cholesterol often runs in families
- An underactive thyroid
- Less often: kidney disease or an inherited condition with very high levels
What can throw it off
A recent illness, surgery or heart attack can lower it for several weeks.
Questions to take to your appointment
- 1What non-HDL target fits my overall heart risk?
- 2Is my LDL or my triglycerides driving this number?
- 3Would an ApoB test add anything for me?
Read together with
Doctors rarely read Non-HDL cholesterol alone. These usually sit next to it.
- Total cholesterolAll the cholesterol in your blood, good and bad together.
- HDL cholesterolThe 'good' cholesterol that carries extra cholesterol back to the liver.
- LDL cholesterolThe 'bad' cholesterol that can build up in artery walls.
- TriglyceridesThe main type of fat carried in the blood.
- ApoBCounts the particles that carry 'bad' cholesterol in the blood.
Quick answers
What is the Non-HDL cholesterol blood test?
Non-HDL cholesterol (Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol): All the 'bad' cholesterol together: total cholesterol minus HDL. Non-HDL cholesterol is your total cholesterol minus your HDL. It counts the cholesterol in every particle that can build up in artery walls, including LDL. It works even if you were not fasting, and many doctors find it more useful than LDL alone.
What is a normal Non-HDL cholesterol level?
For most adults, Non-HDL cholesterol is typically under 130 mg/dL (desirable). 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 Non-HDL cholesterol mean?
A high non-HDL cholesterol adds to heart and stroke risk over time. Your doctor sets the right target from your overall heart risk. Common reasons include high LDL or high triglycerides, which both feed into this number; foods high in saturated fat, such as fatty meat, butter and cheese; extra body weight, high blood sugar or little activity; and genes: high cholesterol often runs in families. A doctor reads it together with your other results and how you feel.
What can affect my Non-HDL cholesterol result?
A recent illness, surgery or heart attack can lower it for several weeks.
What should I ask my doctor about my Non-HDL cholesterol?
Questions worth taking to the appointment: What non-HDL target fits my overall heart risk? Is my LDL or my triglycerides driving this number? Would an ApoB test add anything for me?
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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