Total Cholesterol
TC
Description
Total Cholesterol test measures the levels of HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides in your blood, providing your doctor with an overview of your cardiovascular health. This test is frequently used to assess the risk of heart disease, stroke, and arterial plaque buildup. After taking a blood sample, the results will reveal whether your cholesterol levels are high, which may indicate a higher risk of heart disease. It’s especially useful for those with a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, or lifestyle habits that put them at risk. The results will help your doctor create a treatment plan just for you, which could include lifestyle changes, medications, or other steps. Regular cholesterol checks are an important way to stay ahead of heart health concerns.
Procedure
Invasive
Sample Type
Blood – Serum
Test Category
Lipids
Procedure Category
Blood Draw
Units
Milligrams Per Deciliter | Millimoles Per Liter
Test Groups
Basic Cardiovascular Group: This group includes fundamental tests targeting essential markers related to cardiovascular health, providing foundational insights into cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and other key factors. Basic Lipid Group: This group encompasses tests vital for evaluating lipid levels in the blood, aiding in the assessment of cardiovascular health and risk factors for heart disease. Cardio Risk Group: This group focuses on assessing various markers associated with cardiovascular health and risk factors, aiding in the early detection and management of cardiovascular diseases. Cognitive Health Group: This group of tailored tests is aimed at evaluating cognitive function and assessing markers related to cognitive health, providing valuable insights for cognitive well-being and potential cognitive disorders. Complete Cardiovascular Group: This group contains comprehensive tests for an extensive evaluation of cardiovascular health, providing thorough insights into heart-related conditions beyond basic assessments. Complete Lipid Group: Extensive tests offer a comprehensive evaluation of lipid levels, providing detailed insights into cholesterol and triglyceride profiles and their implications for cardiovascular health. Female Health Group: A comprehensive array of tests provides insights into various aspects of female health and wellness, aiding in the evaluation and management of overall health for females. Male Health Group: A comprehensive array of tests provides insights into various aspects of male health and wellness, aiding in the evaluation and management of overall health for men.
Optimal Range
For All Individuals:
Conventional Unit: <180.0 mg/dL
SI Unit: <4.65 mmol/L
Normal Range
For All Individuals:
Conventional Unit: 100.0–200.0 mg/dL
SI Unit: 2.59–5.18 mmol/L
Results That Differ From The Norm (Direct and Indirect Causes)
Increased levels may indicate:
Alcoholism
Chronic kidney disease
Fatty liver disease
Familial hypercholesterolemia (Inherited condition causing high cholesterol levels)
High-carb diet
High-saturated-fat diet
High-transfat diet
Hypothyroidism (Underactive ...
Key Reasons For Testing
Cardiovascular Risk Assessment: Total cholesterol is a key marker for heart disease risk, guiding prevention and treatment.
Lipid Profile Evaluation: Provides insights into lipid metabolism and balance between harmful and protective lipoproteins.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Risk Assessment: Identifies elevated cholesterol as a major CAD risk factor, aiding in prevention and treatment.
Treatment Response Monitoring: Tracks changes in cholesterol levels to evaluate the effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapies.
Health Status Conditions It May Be Used To Assess
Currently, this test is not directly associated with any conditions listed on the Health Status page. However, it may be included as part of a broader set of tests linked to specific health conditions.
Some Prominent Medical Labs That May Offer This Test
Please note that this particular test has not been associated with any of the listed prominent medical labs. We recommend enquiring with your private physician or nearest hospital to determine where this specific test can be performed.
References
Important Note
Any medical procedure yielding results outside the norm may be directly or indirectly linked to the conditions outlined on this page. Various factors, including genetics, medication and supplement usage, recent illnesses, pregnancy, pre-test eating, smoking, and stress, can impact the test's outcome. Additionally, factors like false positives, false negatives, inaccurate analyses, and others can influence results.
Reference ranges, which help healthcare professionals interpret medical tests, may vary depending on age, gender, and other factors. They may also differ between laboratories due to variations in instruments and methods used. Optimal ranges are designed for preventive purposes, aiming to identify trends and potential risks early, while normal ranges reflect conventional laboratory values indicating no current disease or pathology. Your healthcare practitioner may have specific reasons for testing that deviate from the usual or may interpret results differently based on individual circumstances. Proper interpretation typically involves considering clinical findings and other diagnostic tests. Hence, it is crucial to provide your healthcare professionals with a comprehensive medical history, consult with them for result interpretation, and follow their guidance for potential re-testing or additional diagnostics.
Disclaimer
This content is provided solely for informative and educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Regarding the interpretation of their medical test results and/or specific health questions, it is recommended that all readers and viewers consult their physicians or other qualified health professionals. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse health effects that may result from reading or following the information in this educational content. Before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program, all viewers, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physician or health care practitioner.
Please note that while prominent lab names are included in this content, we cannot guarantee that these labs offer all the tests mentioned. For confirmation, individuals should contact the labs directly or consult their medical practitioners. The information provided reflects general knowledge at the time of publication and may not include recent updates or emerging research. Readers should verify details with qualified professionals to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate guidance.
[1] Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019;139(25).
[2] Stone NJ, Robinson JG, Lichtenstein AH, et al. 2013 ACC/AHA guideline on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2014;129(25 Suppl 2).
[3] Baigent C, Blackwell L, Emberson J, et al. Efficacy and safety of more intensive lowering of LDL cholesterol: a meta-analysis of data from 170,000 participants in 26 randomised trials. Lancet. 2010;376(9753):1670-1681.
[4] Cannon CP, Blazing MA, Giugliano RP, et al. Ezetimibe added to statin therapy after acute coronary syndromes. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(25):2387-2397.
[5] Ference BA, Ginsberg HN, Graham I, et al. Low-density lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. 1. Evidence from genetic, epidemiologic, and clinical studies. A consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus Panel. Eur Heart J. 2017;38(32):2459-2472.
[6] Lloyd-Jones DM, Morris PB, Ballantyne CM, et al. 2017 focused update of the 2016 ACC expert consensus decision pathway on the role of non-statin therapies for LDL-cholesterol lowering in the management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk: a report of the American College of Cardiology Task Force on Expert Consensus Decision Pathways. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017;70(14):1785-1822.
[7] Grundy SM, Cleeman JI, Merz CN, et al. Implications of recent clinical trials for the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Circulation. 2004;110(2):227-239.
[8] Taylor F, Huffman MD, Macedo AF, et al. Statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(1).
[9] Sabatine MS, Giugliano RP, Keech AC, et al. Evolocumab and clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(18):1713-1722.
[10] Jellinger PS, Handelsman Y, Rosenblit PD, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology guidelines for management of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Endocr Pract. 2017;23(Suppl 2):1-87.
[11] Anderson TJ, Grégoire J, Hegele RA, et al. 2012 update of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in the adult. Can J Cardiol. 2013;29(2):151-167.
[12] Borén J, Chapman MJ, Krauss RM, et al. Low-density lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: Pathophysiological, genetic, and therapeutic insights. Eur Heart J. 2020;41(24):2311-2336.
[13] Mach F, Baigent C, Catapano AL, et al. 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines for the management of dyslipidemias: Lipid modification to reduce cardiovascular risk. Eur Heart J. 2020;41(1):111-188.