In brief
Measures the fats in your blood, including LDL ('bad') and HDL ('good') cholesterol and triglycerides, to help estimate heart disease risk.
What it measures
Total cholesterol, LDL ('bad') cholesterol, HDL ('good') cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and the cholesterol to HDL ratio. Further lipid tests are sometimes added.
Why it is done
To help assess your risk of heart and blood vessel disease, together with other factors such as blood pressure, and to guide treatment.
Reading the results
- Results above the flag levels usually prompt a repeat test on another occasion.
- Cholesterol can differ by as much as 10 per cent from one month to another.
- Triglycerides are higher after a meal.
Target levels depend on your personal situation and your level of risk.
Reference ranges
| Result | Range |
|---|---|
| Laboratory flag: total cholesterol | 5.5 mmol/L or higher |
| Laboratory flag: LDL cholesterol | 3.0 mmol/L or higher |
| Laboratory flag: non-HDL cholesterol | 4.0 mmol/L or higher |
| Laboratory flag: HDL cholesterol | 1.0 mmol/L or lower in males, 1.2 mmol/L or lower in females |
| Laboratory flag: triglycerides | 2.0 mmol/L or higher |
Ranges differ between laboratories. Always compare a result with the range printed on your own report, and ask your doctor what it means for you.
Before the test
This test does not usually need fasting, so you can eat and drink normally beforehand. Fasting is sometimes preferred, such as when triglycerides are high.
Units. mmol/L in Australia. Convert US mg/dL results with the lab units tool.
What can affect the result
- Recent food (for triglycerides)
- Some medicines
Related topics
Connections
Cholesterol and lipid profile measures
The lipid profile measures different types of cholesterol and triglycerides in a blood sample.
Source: Pathology Tests Explained, Lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides)
Sources
Test information summarised from the sources listed on this page, read on 19 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.