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Non-HDL Cholesterol

Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

Non-HDL cholesterol is your total cholesterol minus your HDL cholesterol. It includes LDL and other particles that can contribute to fatty buildup in arteries.

Try your Non-HDL Cholesterol result.

A quick one-marker check. Vita can score it better once it sees the full lab report around it.

What does a high non-HDL result mean?

A high result means more cholesterol is being carried in these particles. It can be particularly useful when triglycerides are high, because LDL alone does not include all of them. Your overall heart risk determines how low to aim.

How high is your non-HDL cholesterol?

Desirable
Below 130 mg/dL (about 3.4 mmol/L)
Above desirable
130–159 mg/dL (about 3.4–4.1 mmol/L)
Borderline high
160–189 mg/dL (about 4.1–4.9 mmol/L)
High
190–219 mg/dL (about 4.9–5.7 mmol/L)
Very high
220 mg/dL or more (about 5.7 mmol/L or more)

These NLA/NCEP adult cardiovascular-risk categories are published by Mayo Clinic Laboratories. They are general interpretive categories, not a personalized goal or a guarantee of healthy arteries.

Why your treatment goal may differ

A clinician may set a lower non-HDL goal for someone with higher cardiovascular risk. The categories above describe the result; they do not choose a treatment goal for you.

Sources: Mayo Clinic Laboratories

What can change this result?

What can raise it

  • Food choices that raise LDL, including frequent meals high in saturated fat.
  • High triglycerides or blood sugar that is not well controlled.
  • Inherited high cholesterol, which habits alone may not fully change.

What can help lower it

  • More fiber-rich foods and less saturated fat.
  • Regular activity and managing excess weight, where appropriate.
  • Treatment for high cholesterol or diabetes, when needed.

Non-HDL includes LDL and cholesterol in other particles. Your LDL and triglycerides help explain which part needs attention.

What should I do next?

  1. Read this result alongside LDL, HDL and triglycerides.
  2. Ask your clinician to set a non-HDL goal based on your heart history and other risk factors.
  3. Discuss changes to food and activity, and whether cholesterol-lowering medication is needed.
How this test works

Subtract HDL cholesterol from total cholesterol using the same units. Non-HDL includes cholesterol carried by LDL and several other particles, so it captures more than LDL alone.

Sources