What it measures
The total amount of cholesterol in the blood, carried by all the lipoproteins together, including HDL and LDL. It is usually reported with HDL cholesterol, and often with non-HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Why people test it
- Part of routine checks of heart and circulation health, including the NHS Health Check.
- Used with age, blood pressure and other factors to estimate cardiovascular risk, for example as a QRISK score.
- Monitored in people taking statins or other cholesterol-lowering medicines.
- Checked when there is a family history of high cholesterol or early heart disease.
- Checked by people using testosterone or anabolic steroids, which can lower HDL and change the balance of cholesterol.
Typical range
Ranges vary between labs with the method used, age and sex, and your report shows the lab's own range. The NHS gives below 5 mmol/L as a guide for total cholesterol in healthy adults, and a GP reads the result alongside other risk factors. Source: NHS: Cholesterol levels.
Finger-prick or vein?
A finger-prick sample is usually fine for cholesterol. Eating beforehand makes little difference to total cholesterol.