Normal range: 125 – 200 mg/dL (lower is better)
Total cholesterol is the sum of all cholesterol fractions in your blood: HDL, LDL, and VLDL. While it is the most commonly screened lipid marker, it is also the least informative on its own. A high total can reflect either healthy high HDL or harmful high LDL, and a "normal" total can hide a dangerous lipid profile underneath. That is why modern guidelines emphasize looking at LDL, HDL, and ApoB individually rather than relying on total cholesterol alone.
A normal Total Cholesterol is 125 – 200 mg/dL. Lower is better.
High total cholesterol is most often driven by a diet rich in saturated fat, trans fats, and excess calories. Genetic conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia can cause very high levels from birth. Hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and liver disease can also raise total cholesterol.
Some medications (including corticosteroids, certain diuretics, and immunosuppressants) elevate cholesterol as a side effect. Pregnancy naturally raises total cholesterol as well, sometimes substantially.
Reducing saturated fat (red meat, butter, cheese, fried foods), increasing soluble fiber (oats, beans, fruits), exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight are the most effective lifestyle changes. Statins are the first-line medication and can lower total cholesterol by 30-50%. Plant sterols and stanols (found in fortified foods) provide a modest additional benefit.
Total Cholesterol is most highly correlated with LDL Cholesterol and Non-HDL Cholesterol. Here are the top biomarkers correlated with Total Cholesterol, based on 500,000 tests done by Empirical Health.
The percentage shows how strongly two biomarkers move together. A higher number means the relationship is stronger. Green = rises and falls together. Orange = one rises as the other falls.
You can test your Total Cholesterol for $190 as part of Empirical's comprehensive health panel, which includes 100 biomarkers.
You can measure your Total Cholesterol for at 2,200+ testing locations across the US. Click below and enter your zip code to browse locations near you.
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