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Lab test
What does a lipid panel measure, and what are healthy cholesterol levels?
A lipid panel, or cholesterol test, measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides to help estimate heart disease risk. MedlinePlus lists healthy levels for adults as total cholesterol under 200 mg/dL and LDL under 100 mg/dL, with HDL of 60 mg/dL or more as best. Your clinician weighs results with other risk factors.
What does the lipid panel test measure?
A cholesterol test measures LDL ("bad") cholesterol, HDL ("good") cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood. MedlinePlus
The LDL on a report may be "calculated" from total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides, or measured directly. MedlinePlus
Why is the lipid panel test ordered?
- As part of a routine exam, to estimate the risk of heart disease. MedlinePlus
- MedlinePlus describes testing every 5 years for younger adults, every 1 to 2 years for men aged 45 to 65 and women aged 55 to 65, and every year after 65, with more frequent tests for people at higher risk. MedlinePlus
What are typical lipid panel ranges?
MedlinePlus lists these healthy levels for adults aged 20 and older. MedlinePlus
Reference ranges differ between laboratories and testing methods, and many also differ by age, sex, pregnancy or the phase of the menstrual cycle. The range printed on your own report is the one that applies to your result, and a clinician interprets it alongside your history.
| Measure | Healthy level |
|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | Less than 200 mg/dL |
| Non-HDL cholesterol | Less than 130 mg/dL |
| LDL cholesterol | Less than 100 mg/dL |
| HDL cholesterol | 60 mg/dL or more is best; under 40 (men) or under 50 (women) is low |
| Category | Triglycerides |
|---|---|
| Desirable | 149 mg/dL or less |
| Borderline | 150 to 199 mg/dL |
| Higher risk | 200 to 499 mg/dL |
What can affect lipid panel results?
- You may need to fast for 9 to 12 hours before the test; your provider will say whether you need to. MedlinePlus
- A healthy level for you may depend on your age, family history, lifestyle and other heart disease risk factors. MedlinePlus
When should you talk to a clinician about a lipid panel result?
- Your provider can explain what level is right for you; risk is judged with blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and family history, not cholesterol alone. MedlinePlus
- If an at-home kit shows total cholesterol above 200 mg/dL, MedlinePlus advises telling your provider. MedlinePlus
DiscoverMedica explains what a test measures and what named sources publish. It does not interpret individual results; the clinician who ordered your test, or one you choose, does.
Where can you get a lipid panel test?
A clinician can order it as part of routine or follow-up care. Some services also let you order lab tests yourself; check that a service’s panel includes this marker, which laboratory runs it, and who reviews the result with you.
- Function HealthAnnual membership for broad lab panels, drawn at Quest sites or at home.
- Quest HealthOrder individual lab tests from Quest Diagnostics online, without a doctor’s visit.
Lipid Panel: questions, answered
What are healthy cholesterol numbers for adults?
MedlinePlus lists, for adults 20 and older, total cholesterol under 200 mg/dL, non-HDL under 130 mg/dL, LDL under 100 mg/dL, and HDL of 60 mg/dL or more as best. It adds that a healthy level for you depends on age, family history and other risk factors, which your provider weighs.
Do I need to fast before a lipid panel?
Sometimes. MedlinePlus says you may need to fast for 9 to 12 hours, which is why cholesterol tests are often done in the morning. Your provider will tell you whether fasting is needed for your test. Ask before the appointment if no instructions came with the order, and mention any medicines you take.
What is non-HDL cholesterol?
Non-HDL cholesterol is total cholesterol minus HDL, so it counts the cholesterol carried by LDL and other particles that can build up in arteries. MedlinePlus lists a healthy adult level as under 130 mg/dL. ARUP adds that non-HDL cholesterol is a secondary target when triglycerides are high, above 199 mg/dL.
Sources
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Every source above was checked on or before that date. Educational information only, not medical advice; it does not replace a conversation with a licensed clinician. DiscoverMedica does not employ clinicians.
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