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LDL Cholesterol

Blood

LDL Cholesterol

Also known as: Bad Cholesterol, LDL-C

COMMON RANGE

0 – 100

mg/dL

225

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

Adult

↗

See all sources ↓

CONVERT & COMPARE

mg/dL

1.29

mmol/L

Reference ranges across 10+ sources

Adult reference ranges from 9 entries across 6 named sources, shown in mg/dL. Compare side-by-side.

SOURCE

SEX

AGE

RANGE

VISUAL

CITE

ARUP Laboratories

All

≥18y

0 – 129 mg/dL

↗

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

All

≥18y

0 – 100 mg/dL

↗

Labcorp

All

≥18y

0 – 99 mg/dL

↗

Nordic Reference Interval Project

All

18y–30y

46.4 – 166 mg/dL

↗

Nordic Reference Interval Project

All

30y–50y

54.1 – 182 mg/dL

↗

Nordic Reference Interval Project

All

≥50y

77.3 – 205 mg/dL

↗

JSCC / JAMT Japan

All

≥18y

63 – 177 mg/dL

Turkey Nationwide Reference Intervals

Male

≥18y

61.9 – 155 mg/dL

Turkey Nationwide Reference Intervals

Female

≥18y

52.2 – 146 mg/dL

ARUP Laboratories

All · ≥18y

↗

0 – 129 mg/dL

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

All · ≥18y

↗

0 – 100 mg/dL

Labcorp

All · ≥18y

↗

0 – 99 mg/dL

Nordic Reference Interval Project

All · 18y–30y

↗

46.4 – 166 mg/dL

Nordic Reference Interval Project

All · 30y–50y

↗

54.1 – 182 mg/dL

Nordic Reference Interval Project

All · ≥50y

↗

77.3 – 205 mg/dL

JSCC / JAMT Japan

All · ≥18y

63 – 177 mg/dL

Turkey Nationwide Reference Intervals

Male · ≥18y

61.9 – 155 mg/dL

Turkey Nationwide Reference Intervals

Female · ≥18y

52.2 – 146 mg/dL

About LDL 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. Cholesterol results are also helpful for evaluating conditions such as hyperlipoproteinemia and certain liver and thyroid disorders.

Main source: MedlinePlus ↗

Useful for

Assessing your risk of coronary artery disease and other heart conditions, especially when LDL is reviewed alongside HDL and triglycerides.

Helping diagnose disorders that affect blood fats, such as inherited high-cholesterol conditions and atherosclerosis.

Supporting evaluation of liver and thyroid problems that can change cholesterol levels.

Tracking how lifestyle changes or cholesterol-lowering treatment are affecting your LDL over time.

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 — 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

Often tested alongside ldl cholesterol or part of the same panel.

White Blood Cells (WBC)

Blood

Red Blood Cells (RBC)

Blood

Hemoglobin (Hgb)

Blood

Hematocrit (Hct)

Blood

Platelets (PLT)

Blood

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

Blood

Sources

ARUP Laboratories

Mayo Clinic Laboratories

Labcorp

Nordic Reference Interval Project

JSCC / JAMT Japan

Turkey Nationwide Reference Intervals

Last updated 2026-05-02

This page aggregates publicly available reference data and clinical information from Mayo Clinic Laboratories and other sources. For general wellness information only — not medical advice. For diagnosis or treatment of any condition, talk to a qualified clinician.

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