Finding the right tests…
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Finding the right tests…
Biochemistry
HDL is the one cholesterol number where higher is better, the opposite of how LDL and total cholesterol are read. It's often called good cholesterol because it carries excess cholesterol out of your artery walls and back to your liver, where your body can dispose of it. MedlinePlus lists 60 mg/dL or higher as the desired level, while below 40 mg/dL in men or below 50 mg/dL in women is treated as a risk factor for heart disease in its own right, separate from your LDL result. Because HDL works to clear cholesterol rather than deposit it, a strong number here can partly offset other risk factors on your lipid profile.
This test isolates high-density lipoprotein cholesterol from the rest of your blood fats and reports it as its own number, in mg/dL. HDL particles pick up excess cholesterol from your bloodstream and artery walls and carry it back to the liver, so a higher HDL reading generally reflects that clearing process working well. It's usually measured alongside LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides as part of a lipid profile, though it can be ordered on its own.
Every other number on a lipid profile carries risk when it's high. HDL is the exception: because it removes cholesterol from your artery walls rather than depositing it there, a higher HDL level is protective rather than concerning.
MedlinePlus sets 60 mg/dL or higher as the desired HDL level. Below that, the risk thresholds differ by sex — under 40 mg/dL in men and under 50 mg/dL in women are both treated as independent risk factors for coronary artery disease, meaning they raise concern even if your LDL and total cholesterol look fine.
Regular physical activity, not smoking, and a healthy weight are commonly linked to higher HDL levels, while smoking and inactivity tend to lower it. Genetics also plays a real part in where your baseline HDL sits, which is part of why two people with similar habits can have quite different numbers.
A high HDL doesn't cancel out a high LDL, and a low HDL doesn't automatically mean trouble if the rest of your profile looks strong. Your doctor weighs HDL as one part of your overall cardiovascular risk picture, alongside LDL, triglycerides, blood pressure, and factors like age and family history.
MedlinePlus lists 60 mg/dL or higher as the desired HDL level. Below 40 mg/dL in men or below 50 mg/dL in women is treated as a risk factor on its own, and ranges can vary slightly by lab.
HDL carries cholesterol away from your artery walls back to your liver for disposal, rather than depositing it there. That clearing action is why a higher HDL number is protective rather than concerning.
Yes. A good HDL level can help offset other risk factors, but it doesn't cancel out a high LDL, high blood pressure, or other risks. Your doctor looks at the whole lipid profile and your broader health picture together.
Regular physical activity, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight are commonly linked to higher HDL levels. Genetics also plays a role in your baseline level.
This page is general information about the test, not medical advice. Your own report's reference ranges apply — please discuss your results with your doctor.
It's usually part of a full lipid profile, but your doctor can order it on its own if that's all that's needed. Ask your doctor which combination is right for your situation.
Fasting requirements can differ depending on whether HDL is being tested alone or as part of a full lipid profile. Ask your doctor or the centre what's needed before your appointment.