Total cholesterol
Total cholesterol is the sum of all cholesterol measured in a person's blood. This total includes high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is sometimes called the "good cholesterol," and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, sometimes called the "bad cholesterol."
Cholesterol is measured either in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or in millimoles per liter of blood (mmol/L).
- A total cholesterol level of less than 200 mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L) is desirable.
- 200 to 239 mg/dL (5.17 to 6.18 mmol/L) is considered borderline high cholesterol.
- 240 mg/dL (6.21 mmol/L) or higher is considered high cholesterol.
The ratio of total cholesterol to "good" (HDL) cholesterol is also important, especially if total cholesterol is high.
| Author | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology |
| Last Updated | September 13, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
September 13, 2007
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this
information.
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.