Total Cholesterol
Total cholesterol measures the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood, including LDL, HDL, and VLDL cholesterol.
Category: Lipid Panel
Also known as: total cholesterol, cholesterol, tc, chol, Cholesterol total, ukupni holesterol, holesterol
Reference range: ≤ 200 mg/dL (Source: NCEP ATP III)
Standard unit: mg/dL
High values may indicate
High total cholesterol may indicate increased risk of heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, or familial hypercholesterolemia.
Low values may indicate
Low total cholesterol may be associated with malnutrition, liver disease, hyperthyroidism, or certain cancers.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a normal Total Cholesterol level?
- A typical reference range for Total Cholesterol is ≤ 200 mg/dL (source: NCEP ATP III). Reference ranges vary by laboratory, age, and sex, so always compare against the range on your own lab report.
- What units is Total Cholesterol measured in?
- Total Cholesterol is most commonly reported in mg/dL. Labs in different countries may use other units — you can convert between them with BloodId's blood test unit converter.
- Where do Total Cholesterol reference ranges come from?
- The reference range shown for Total Cholesterol is based on the NCEP ATP III clinical guideline rather than the general ABIM standard, because it is a decision threshold (higher or lower is better) rather than a two-sided normal range. Educational information is from MedlinePlus (see our methodology). Reference ranges still vary by lab, age, and sex, so always compare against your own report.
- Can I track Total Cholesterol over time?
- Yes. Upload results from any lab and BloodId charts your Total Cholesterol over time against its reference range, so you can see whether the trend is rising, falling, or stable.
Related biomarkers
Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Analyze your Total Cholesterol with AI
Chart your Total Cholesterol over time
Convert Total Cholesterol units