Health Literacy
Understanding a lipid panel
A standard lipid panel reports four numbers. Knowing what each one represents makes the results far less mysterious.
The four numbers
| Marker | What it is | General target |
|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | Sum of all cholesterol carried in the blood | Below 200 mg/dL |
| LDL ("bad") | Low-density lipoprotein — deposits cholesterol into artery walls | Below 100 mg/dL |
| HDL ("good") | High-density lipoprotein — carries cholesterol back to the liver for removal | Above 40 mg/dL (men), 50 mg/dL (women) |
| Triglycerides | The main storage form of fat in blood, from excess calories of any kind | Below 150 mg/dL |
These are general reference ranges from the American Heart Association; your own targets should come from your doctor, since risk depends on more than a single number.[1]
Why "LDL" and "HDL" aren't literally cholesterol types
Cholesterol itself is one molecule — LDL and HDL are the carriers that transport it through the bloodstream, since cholesterol doesn't dissolve in blood on its own. LDL tends to deposit cholesterol into artery walls, contributing to plaque buildup; HDL tends to remove it. That's the biological basis for calling one "bad" and the other "good," though the full picture involves particle size and number too.
What actually moves each number
- LDL — most reduced by lowering saturated fat and replacing it with unsaturated fat; see saturated vs. unsaturated fat
- HDL — modestly raised by regular aerobic exercise and unsaturated fat; lowered by smoking
- Triglycerides — most responsive to excess calories, added sugar, and alcohol, more than dietary fat specifically
Dietary cholesterol itself (from eggs, shellfish) has a smaller effect on blood cholesterol for most people than once believed — see the egg yolks and cholesterol myth and dietary vs. blood cholesterol for the full distinction.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good LDL level?
The American Heart Association generally targets LDL below 100 mg/dL, though individual targets vary based on overall cardiovascular risk and should be set with a doctor.
What's the difference between LDL and HDL?
Both are carriers that transport cholesterol through the blood. LDL tends to deposit cholesterol into artery walls, contributing to plaque; HDL tends to carry it back to the liver for removal — the basis for calling them 'bad' and 'good' cholesterol.
What raises triglycerides the most?
Triglycerides respond most strongly to excess calories, added sugar, and alcohol — more than to dietary fat specifically.