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Total cholesterol
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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.
Last Updated:
September 13, 2007- Author:
- Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Robin Parks, MS - Medical Review:
- E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
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