Normal Cholesterol Levels

A lipid panel reports several numbers together, and a "normal" result depends on looking at the full picture rather than any single value in isolation.

General Adult Reference Ranges

• Total cholesterol: below 200 mg/dL is desirable
• LDL ("bad") cholesterol: below 100 mg/dL is optimal for most people; targets are lower for those with existing heart disease or diabetes
• HDL ("good") cholesterol: 60 mg/dL or higher is considered protective; below 40 mg/dL (men) or below 50 mg/dL (women) is considered a risk factor
• Triglycerides: below 150 mg/dL is normal

Why Individual Targets Can Differ

These are general population reference ranges, not one-size-fits-all targets. Someone with diabetes, existing heart disease, or multiple risk factors may have a lower LDL target set by their doctor than someone with no other risk factors — the full cardiovascular risk picture matters more than any single number.

How Often to Test

Adults are generally advised to have cholesterol checked every four to six years starting in early adulthood, with more frequent testing for those with risk factors or abnormal prior results. Most routine lipid panels today don't require fasting beforehand — non-fasting testing is now standard for general screening, with fasting reserved for specific situations, such as very high triglycerides or a history of pancreatitis, where a doctor may still request it. Most routine lipid panels today don't require fasting beforehand — non-fasting testing is now standard for general screening, with fasting reserved for specific situations, such as very high triglycerides or a history of pancreatitis, where a doctor may still request it. Most routine lipid panels today don't require fasting beforehand — non-fasting testing is now standard for general screening, with fasting reserved for specific situations, such as very high triglycerides or a history of pancreatitis, where a doctor may still request it.