Can this result diagnose a condition on its own?

No. Laboratory results are interpreted with symptoms, medical history, sampling conditions, and related tests.

Which reference range or cutoff should I use?

Start with the performing laboratory's report and the purpose of testing; diagnostic cutoffs are separate sourced clinical thresholds.

When should I discuss the result with a healthcare professional?

Results that are clearly outside range, persistent, symptomatic, or unexpected should be reviewed by a healthcare professional.

Information about a laboratory test

HDL Cholesterol: What Does This Test Measure?

Measures cholesterol carried in HDL particles.

Test summary

Test name: HDL Cholesterol
Abbreviations: HDL-C, HDL
Category: Cardiometabolic / Lipids
Panel: Lipid Panel
Specimen: Serum / plasma
Common units: mg/dL, mmol/L

What does the test measure?

Measures cholesterol carried in HDL particles.

Why is the test ordered?

Part of the lipid panel and contributes to cardiovascular-risk assessment alongside other lipids.

Information about a low result

Low HDL can be associated with higher cardiovascular risk, especially with other risk factors.

Information about a high result

Higher HDL has traditionally been associated with lower risk, but a very high value does not guarantee protection by itself.

Reference and clinical context

Use the laboratory report as context, but treatment goals and risk thresholds vary with age, cardiovascular risk, diabetes, kidney disease, and current therapy.

Reference context 1

< 40 mg/dL

Population: Adults
Sex: Male
Age range: 20
Specimen: Serum / plasma

Low HDL context

The source uses <40 mg/dL as the threshold for this context. Individual risk and laboratory context still matter.

Reference context 2

< 50 mg/dL

Population: Adults
Sex: Female
Age range: 20
Specimen: Serum / plasma

Low HDL context

The source uses <50 mg/dL as the threshold for this context. Individual risk and laboratory context still matter.

Reference context 3

> 45 mg/dL

Population: Children / adolescents
Age range: 0 – 19
Specimen: Serum / plasma

Acceptable pediatric level

This >45 mg/dL threshold is pediatric and should be applied with the stated age range and clinical context.

Reference ranges may vary by laboratory, method used, age, sex, pregnancy status, and clinical context. The reference range on your own laboratory report takes precedence.

Interpretation notes

HDL alone is not sufficient for treatment or risk decisions; interpret with LDL, triglycerides, and the overall risk profile.

Related specialties

Cardiology
Internal Medicine
Endocrinology
Family Medicine
Pediatric Cardiology

Frequently asked questions

More information about this test

Sources

Cholesterol Levels — U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
Government medical reference · 2026 · Adult and pediatric total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and non-HDL healthy-level context · Verified: Aug 12, 2026
Lipid Profile Test — U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
Government medical encyclopedia · 2026 · Lipid panel components including LDL, HDL, triglycerides and VLDL · Verified: Aug 12, 2026
Triglycerides Test — U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
Government medical reference · 2026 · Triglyceride test purpose and combined lipid-risk context · Verified: Aug 12, 2026
Apolipoprotein A1, Serum — Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Reference laboratory test catalog · 2026 · Sex- and age-specific ApoA1 reference information and ApoB/ApoA1 context · Verified: Aug 12, 2026
Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents — National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
U.S. government guideline · 2012 · Pediatric lipid cutoffs for total cholesterol, LDL, non-HDL, HDL, triglycerides and ApoB/ApoA1 · Verified: Aug 12, 2026
Metabolic Syndrome - Diagnosis — National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
U.S. government medical reference · 2026 · Adult fasting glucose and sex-specific low-HDL metabolic-risk context · Verified: Aug 12, 2026