Lipid disorders; Hyperlipoproteinemia; Hyperlipidemia; Dyslipidemia; Hypercholesterolemia

A cholesterol test is done to diagnose a lipid disorder. Some national guidelines recommend having your first screening cholesterol test at age 20. Everyone should have their first screening test by age 35 in men, and age 45 in women.

It is important to work with your health care provider to set your cholesterol goals. General targets are:

• LDL: 70-130 mg/dL (lower numbers are better)
• HDL: more than 40-60 mg/dL (high numbers are better)
• Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL (lower numbers are better)
• Triglycerides: 10-150 mg/dL (lower numbers are better)

If your cholesterol results are abnormal, your doctor may also do:

• Blood sugar (glucose) test to look for diabetes
• Thyroid function tests to look for an underactive thyroid gland

Images

Cholesterol producers

Coronary artery disease

Review Date: 05/20/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)