One.
One.

Platform

Company

Resources

Create Account

One Health helps you track and understand your health simply.

Create Account

One Health helps you track and understand your health simply.

Cholesterol Total

Lipids

TCTotal Cholesterol

Review status

Currently under review

Pending specialist review and validation.

What it shows

Cholesterol Total is a blood test that measures the overall amount of cholesterol circulating in your bloodstream. It includes cholesterol carried by several lipoproteins, such as LDL, HDL, and VLDL. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance your body needs to build cells and produce hormones, and it comes from both your liver and your diet.

This measurement is often included in a lipid panel and helps provide a broad picture of your lipid health. Depending on your situation, your clinician may order it with or without fasting and may pair it with other lipid tests for a fuller assessment.

Why it matters

Total cholesterol is one piece of the puzzle used to estimate risk for heart and blood vessel disease. Along with other lipids and your personal risk factors, it helps your clinician decide on prevention or treatment strategies aimed at lowering the chance of heart attack and stroke.

This test is commonly ordered for routine screening, when risk is being reassessed, and to monitor how well lifestyle changes or medications are working. It can also help identify inherited lipid disorders and guide care in conditions that affect cholesterol handling, such as diabetes, thyroid problems, kidney disease, and liver disease.

Understanding your results

A single total cholesterol value is best understood alongside other results, such as LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, and in the context of your age, medical history, and family risk. Nonfasting samples are acceptable for many people, and if something looks unexpected, your clinician may repeat testing or request a fasting lipid panel for confirmation.

If your level is higher than expected, your care team will consider diet, physical activity, weight, medications, and health conditions that can raise cholesterol. Management may include lifestyle changes, treating underlying conditions, and sometimes medication. If it is unexpectedly low, your clinician may look for issues such as illness, malnutrition, or medication effects.

Trends over time are more informative than a single result. Follow your clinician’s advice on when to recheck and whether additional tests are needed to clarify your cardiovascular risk.

Reference ranges

1.15 – 4.7 mmol/L
Female
0 days – 3 years
1.15 – 4.7 mmol/L
Male
0 days – 3 years
2.8 – 4.8 mmol/L
Female
3 years – 6 years
2.8 – 4.8 mmol/L
Male
3 years – 6 years
3 – 5.2 mmol/L
Female
6 years – 18 years
3 – 5.2 mmol/L
Male
6 years – 18 years
- – - mmol/L
Female
18 years – 150 years
- – - mmol/L
Male
18 years – 150 years

Reference intervals vary by laboratory, analyzer, methodology, population, and units. The ranges shown here are for education only. Always interpret your results against the reference interval printed on your own lab report.

Factors that could impact Cholesterol Total

  • Fasting and recent meals

    For many people, nonfasting testing is acceptable, but a very recent large or high-fat meal can influence lipids. If results are unexpected, a fasting repeat may be requested.

  • Medications and supplements

    Statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, fibrates, and bile acid sequestrants can lower cholesterol. Steroids, some diuretics, retinoids, and certain immunosuppressants can raise it.

  • Illness, stress, and inflammation

    Acute illness, major surgery, infection, or significant stress can transiently change cholesterol levels. Testing is often deferred until you have recovered.

  • Hormones, pregnancy, and menopause

    Pregnancy and hormonal therapies can raise total cholesterol. Menopause and thyroid disorders can also change lipid patterns and may affect interpretation.

  • Liver, kidney, and thyroid function

    The liver makes and clears cholesterol, and kidney or thyroid diseases can alter lipid metabolism. Managing these conditions can improve cholesterol levels.

  • Sample timing and handling

    Minor day-to-day variation occurs. Proper sample collection and processing help avoid errors from hemolysis, lipemia, or delayed handling.

2026

References

  1. McGill University Health Centre. (2015, April 30). Cholesterol Total (Task CD 316190). Laboratory reference ranges.
  2. Grundy, S. M., Stone, N. J., Bailey, A. L., et al. (2019). 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol. Circulation, 139(25), e1082–e1143. External link