Lipid Profile Report: Normal Range & How to Read It
A lipid profile measures cholesterol and other fats in your blood, such as LDL, HDL and triglycerides. Your doctor reads the values together.
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What a lipid profile checks
Cholesterol
Total cholesterol, LDL and HDL in your blood.
Triglycerides
A type of fat that rises after meals.
Ratios
One number that sums up the balance between the values.
Lipid profile normal range for adults
Labs differ a little. Always compare with the range printed on your report.
| Test | Men | Women | Unit | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cholesterol | ||||
| Total cholesterol | Below 200 | mg/dL | Your doctor reads it with LDL and HDL. | |
| LDL cholesterol | Below 100 | mg/dL | Often called bad cholesterol. | |
| HDL cholesterol | Men 40 or more | Women 50 or more | mg/dL | Often called good cholesterol. |
| Non-HDL cholesterol | Below 130 | mg/dL | Total cholesterol minus HDL. | |
| Other fats and ratios | ||||
| Triglycerides | Below 150 | mg/dL | Rises after meals, so fasting matters. | |
| VLDL | 2–30 | mg/dL | Carries triglycerides in the blood. | |
| Cholesterol / HDL ratio | Below 4 | Total cholesterol divided by HDL. 3.5 or below is best. | ||
Ranges from the NirogGyan biomarker library. Updated .
What a lipid report looks like
The same results in the usual lab layout, and as a NirogGyan Smart Report.
Numbers and ranges in rows
Each value on our report slider
How to read your lipid report
Check that you fasted
Triglycerides change after meals, so many reports note the fasting time.
Find your result
Lipids are printed in mg/dL, sometimes in mmol/L.
Compare with the range
The Range column shows what is normal for that test.
Look for H or L
A flag marks a value outside the range. Your doctor reads what it means.
Lipid profile questions
Do I need to fast for a lipid profile?
Many labs ask for 9 to 12 hours of fasting, mainly for an accurate triglyceride value. Water is usually allowed.
What is the difference between LDL and HDL?
LDL is often called bad cholesterol because high levels can build up in arteries. HDL is called good cholesterol because it helps carry cholesterol away.
What is a normal total cholesterol?
Our biomarker library uses below 200 mg/dL. Your doctor looks at LDL, HDL and triglycerides together.
What are triglycerides?
They are a type of fat in the blood. They rise after meals, which is why fasting matters for this test.
What is the cholesterol to HDL ratio?
It is total cholesterol divided by HDL. Some reports print it to give one number that sums up the balance.
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Upload your reportThis page explains how to read a lab report. It does not replace advice from your doctor. All sample values are made up.