Cholesterol Test
Alternate Names : Total Cholesterol, Lipid Profile
What do the test results mean?
Total cholesterol results are evaluated as follows:
desirable range is less than 200 milligrams per deciliter or mg/dL
borderline-high is 200 to 239 mg/dL
high cholesterol is 240 mg/dL or greater
Abnormally high levels of blood cholesterol may indicate the following:
atherosclerosis
biliary cirrhosis, which is scarring and blockage of the bile ducts
diet high in cholesterol, saturated fats, calories, or transfats
familial hyperlipidemia, a condition in which high blood lipids run in a family
heart attack
high stress
hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland
lack of exercise
nephrotic syndrome, which is a kidney disease resulting in loss of protein in the urine
overweight or obesity
uncontrolled diabetes
Abnormally low levels of cholesterol may indicate the following:
hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland
liver disease
malabsorption, or inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestines
malnutrition
A person's LDL level is also extremely important in evaluating his or her risk for CHD.
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