Lipid panel, explained.
A lipid panel measures the fats in your blood: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides, plus non-HDL cholesterol worked out from them. In general adult ranges, total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL is desirable, LDL below 100 mg/dL is optimal and triglycerides below 150 mg/dL are normal. The right goal for you depends on your overall heart risk.
- What it measures
- Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and non-HDL
- Fasting
- Usually not needed. Follow the prep steps for your order
- Who should test
- Adults about every 5 years, more often with risk
- In Lab Pass
- Yes, every plan, $199 a year
Lipid panel ranges
| Result | LDL cholesterol |
|---|---|
| Optimal | Below 100 mg/dL |
| Near optimal | 100 to 129 mg/dL |
| Borderline high | 130 to 159 mg/dL |
| High | 160 to 189 mg/dL |
| Very high | 190 mg/dL or higher |
| Result | Total cholesterol |
|---|---|
| Desirable | Below 200 mg/dL |
| Borderline high | 200 to 239 mg/dL |
| High | 240 mg/dL or higher |
| Result | HDL cholesterol |
|---|---|
| Low for men | Below 40 mg/dL |
| Low for women | Below 50 mg/dL |
| High | 60 mg/dL or higher |
| Result | Triglycerides |
|---|---|
| Normal | Below 150 mg/dL |
| Borderline high | 150 to 199 mg/dL |
| High | 200 to 499 mg/dL |
| Very high | 500 mg/dL or higher |
| Result | Non-HDL cholesterol |
|---|---|
| Desirable | Below 130 mg/dL |
| Above desirable | 130 to 159 mg/dL |
| Borderline high | 160 to 189 mg/dL |
| High | 190 to 219 mg/dL |
| Very high | 220 mg/dL or higher |
Sources: NHLBI adult cholesterol categories (ATP III) and MedlinePlus; non-HDL from the National Lipid Association (2015). General adult ranges, not treatment goals: your clinician sets your own goal from your overall heart risk.
Who should test
The 2026 ACC/AHA guideline advises checking cholesterol from young adulthood, about every 5 years when results are normal and risk is low, and more often with diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of early heart disease, or treatment.
What can throw it off
Triglycerides rise after a meal, especially a fatty one, and after alcohol. A recent illness or surgery can lower cholesterol for a while. An underactive thyroid, pregnancy, high blood sugar, kidney disease and some medicines can raise results, and fast weight loss can shift them while it is happening.
How Sipra reads it
Your Lab Pass reads your lipid panel beside Lp(a), remnant cholesterol and the ratios built from your numbers, each plotted on its range with a plain language read. Where a result falls outside its range, we explain what it can mean and what to ask your clinician.
Questions, answered
Other tests in Lab Pass
General information, not medical advice. A licensed physician signs your lab order; talk with your own clinician about what a result means for you.