lipids · TC · CHOL
Total Cholesterol
The sum of cholesterol carried in all lipoprotein particles. It's a coarse screen — the breakdown into LDL, HDL, and triglycerides (and ApoB) tells you much more about cardiovascular risk.
This page is general wellness education, not medical advice. Your own lab’s reference range and your clinician’s interpretation always take precedence.
Typical reference range
| Group | General range |
|---|---|
| Adults | Desirable < 200; 200–239 borderline high; ≥240 high |
Units: mg/dL. Ranges vary by lab and assay — read yours against the range printed on your own report.
What high Total Cholesterol can mean
- Saturated/trans fat intake
- Genetics
- Hypothyroidism
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
What low Total Cholesterol can mean
- Lipid-lowering therapy
- Hyperthyroidism
- Malnutrition
- Severe illness