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

High LDL Cholesterol: What Does It Mean?

High LDL is associated with cholesterol accumulation in arteries and cardiovascular risk; significance depends on overall risk.

Test summary

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

What does the test measure?

Measures or estimates cholesterol carried in LDL particles.

Why is the test ordered?

A core marker for atherosclerotic cardiovascular-risk assessment and for monitoring lipid-lowering treatment.

Information about a low result

Lower LDL is generally favorable in cardiovascular-risk contexts; unusually low results still require clinical context.

Information about a high result

High LDL is associated with cholesterol accumulation in arteries and cardiovascular risk; significance depends on overall risk.

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

< 100 mg/dL

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

Healthy adult level

The source uses <100 mg/dL as the threshold for this context. Individual risk and laboratory context still matter.

Reference context 2

< 110 mg/dL

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

Acceptable pediatric level

This <110 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

LDL goals vary with individual cardiovascular risk. High triglycerides can affect the accuracy of calculated LDL.

Related specialties

Cardiology
Internal Medicine
Endocrinology
Family Medicine
Pediatric Cardiology

Frequently asked questions

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
Apolipoprotein B, Serum — Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Reference laboratory test catalog · 2026 · Age-specific ApoB categories and interpretation · Verified: Aug 12, 2026
Lipoprotein (a) Blood Test — U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
Government medical reference · 2026 · Lp(a) purpose, genetic stability and cardiovascular-risk context · Verified: Aug 12, 2026
2026 Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia – ACC/AHA release — American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association
Professional guideline summary · 2026 · Current dyslipidemia guidance; LDL/non-HDL goals, ApoB and Lp(a) risk assessment · 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