Blood
Total Cholesterol
Also known as: TC
CONVERT & COMPARE
mg/dL
=
2.59
mmol/L
Reference ranges by source
Published adult intervals: 9, from 6 named sources, shown in mg/dL.
SOURCE
SEX
AGE
RANGE
VISUAL
CITE
J
JSCC / JAMT Japan
All
≥18y
135 – 263 mg/dL
T
Turkey Nationwide Reference Intervals
Male
≥18y
124 – 248 mg/dL
T
Turkey Nationwide Reference Intervals
Female
≥18y
125 – 229 mg/dL
J
JSCC / JAMT Japan
All · ≥18y
135 – 263 mg/dL
T
Turkey Nationwide Reference Intervals
Male · ≥18y
124 – 248 mg/dL
T
Turkey Nationwide Reference Intervals
Female · ≥18y
125 – 229 mg/dL
Ages 0–17 (CALIPER)
4 age- and sex-stratified entries from the Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Pediatric Reference Intervals.
SOURCE
SEX
AGE
RANGE
VISUAL
CITE
About Total Cholesterol
A cholesterol test is a blood test that measures the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides (a type of fat) in your blood. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that's found in your blood and every cell of your body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods.
Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs and removes excess amounts. Cholesterol is also found in foods from animal sources, such as meat, egg yolks, poultry, and dairy products. Foods high in dietary fat can increase the cholesterol in your blood. If there's too much cholesterol in your blood, your liver can't remove it all.
There are two main types of cholesterol: LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or "bad" cholesterol, and HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or "good" cholesterol.
Too much LDL cholesterol in your blood increases your risk for coronary artery disease and other heart diseases. High LDL levels can cause the buildup of a sticky substance called plaque in your arteries. This buildup of plaque is known as atherosclerosis. Over time, plaque can narrow your arteries or fully block them.
Total cholesterol, looked at along with HDL, LDL, and triglycerides, also gives your provider information that can help diagnose conditions affecting fats in the blood, the liver, or the thyroid.
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗
Useful for
Gives you and your health care provider important information about your risk of developing heart disease, so that if your test shows high cholesterol you can take steps to lower it and reduce your risk of future heart problems
LDL level: LDL ("bad") cholesterol is the main source of blockages in the arteries.
HDL level: HDL ("good") cholesterol helps get rid of "bad" LDL cholesterol. A higher HDL level may help reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke.
Total cholesterol: a measure of the total amount of cholesterol in your blood, including HDL and LDL cholesterol.
Triglyceride level: triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. High levels of triglycerides may increase the risk of heart disease, especially in women.
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗
Interpretation
Cholesterol is usually measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood. In general, low LDL levels and high HDL cholesterol levels are good for heart health. Healthy ranges differ by age and sex, so ask your provider what's typical for you.
For general wellness information only. Talk to a clinician about your specific results.
Main source: MedlinePlus ↗
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Related biomarkers
More tests in the blood category.
Sources
M
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
L
Labcorp
Q
Quest Diagnostics
N
Nordic Reference Interval Project
J
JSCC / JAMT Japan
T
Turkey Nationwide Reference Intervals
C
CALIPER: Canadian Pediatric Reference Intervals
Last updated 2026-05-02
This page presents source-specific reference data and sourced explanations. For general wellness information only. This is not medical advice. For diagnosis or treatment of any condition, talk to a qualified clinician.