Lipid Profile Results Explained: LDL, HDL, Triglycerides
What your cholesterol test means: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides and non-HDL, with desirable ranges in mg/dL and mmol/L and next steps.
By Browser Tools Team · · 3 min read
A lipid profile measures the fats in your blood. The key numbers are LDL ("bad") cholesterol, ideally below 100 mg/dL; HDL ("good") cholesterol, where higher is better; triglycerides, ideally below 150 mg/dL; and total cholesterol, ideally below 200 mg/dL. Your doctor reads them together with your blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and family history.
Enter or paste your results into the free Lipid Profile Checker to see which band each number falls in. It converts between mg/dL and mmol/L and keeps your data on your device.
What does each number on a lipid profile mean?
- Total cholesterol: all the cholesterol carried in your blood.
- LDL cholesterol: carries cholesterol into artery walls, where it can build up as plaque. This is the main target of treatment.
- HDL cholesterol: helps carry cholesterol away from arteries back to the liver.
- Triglycerides: a type of fat that rises with excess calories, sugar, refined carbs and alcohol.
- VLDL: a triglyceride-rich particle, often calculated as triglycerides ÷ 5.
- Non-HDL cholesterol: total cholesterol minus HDL, which includes all the "bad" particles.
- Cholesterol/HDL ratio: total cholesterol divided by HDL; lower is better.
What are the desirable cholesterol ranges?
| Test | Desirable | Borderline | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | Below 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L) | 200–239 (5.2–6.1) | 240+ (6.2+) |
| LDL | Below 100 optimal (2.6); 100–129 near optimal | 130–159 (3.4–4.1) | 160–189 high, 190+ very high (4.9+) |
| Non-HDL | Below 130 (3.4) | 130–189 | 190+ |
| Triglycerides | Below 150 (1.7) | 150–199 (1.7–2.2) | 200–499 high, 500+ very high (5.6+) |
HDL works the other way: below 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) in men or 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women is low, and 60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) or more is protective.
To convert cholesterol from mg/dL to mmol/L, divide by 38.67; for triglycerides, divide by 88.57.
These are general bands for adults. If you have heart disease, diabetes or very high risk, your doctor may set a lower LDL target.
How do I check my lipid profile with the tool?
- Open the Lipid Profile Checker.
- Choose Enter values, then type total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides with the units on your report. Or paste the report text, or upload a digital PDF.
- Set sex and age, since the HDL cut-off differs for men and women.
- Read each band, the explanation, and the questions to ask your doctor.
What causes high LDL or triglycerides?
High LDL is driven by genes, diets high in saturated fat (fatty meat, ghee, butter, full-fat dairy, fried snacks) and trans fats, an underactive thyroid, and some medicines. Very high LDL, around 190 mg/dL or more, can be a sign of familial hypercholesterolaemia, an inherited condition worth discussing with your doctor, especially if relatives had early heart disease.
High triglycerides usually come from excess calories, sugary drinks, white rice and refined flour in large portions, alcohol, carrying weight around the waist, and poorly controlled diabetes. Very high triglycerides, above 500 mg/dL, increase the risk of pancreatitis and need prompt medical review.
How can I improve my cholesterol?
- Swap saturated fats for unsaturated ones: olive, canola or mustard oil in small amounts, nuts and seeds, oily fish.
- Eat more soluble fibre: oats, barley, beans, chana, daal, apples and vegetables.
- Cut back on sugar, sweets, sugary drinks and large portions of white rice and maida.
- Be active for about 150 minutes a week, stop smoking, and limit alcohol.
Our Cholesterol-Lowering Diet Plan turns these into a 7-day menu, and the heart-healthy diet guide explains the bigger picture. Medicines such as statins are prescribed based on your overall risk, not cholesterol alone, so talk to your doctor before making changes.
What should I ask my doctor?
Useful questions are: what LDL target is right for me, whether I need a repeat or fasting test, what my 10-year heart risk is, and whether lifestyle change is enough or medicine would help.
For more context, read how to read a blood test report, then check your lipid profile here.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good LDL cholesterol level?
For most adults, LDL below 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) is optimal and 100–129 mg/dL is near optimal. People with heart disease, diabetes or high risk are often given lower targets by their doctor.
What is a good HDL level?
Higher is better. Below 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) for men or 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) for women is considered low; 60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) or more is considered protective.
Do I need to fast for a cholesterol test?
Often not. Non-fasting tests are widely used, but triglycerides read higher after eating, so your doctor may ask for a fasting test if triglycerides are raised.
Can diet lower cholesterol?
Yes. Less saturated and trans fat, more soluble fibre (oats, beans, lentils), nuts and regular activity can lower LDL. Some people also need medicine, depending on their overall heart risk.
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