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 Total Cholesterol: What Does It Mean?

High total cholesterol may provide cardiovascular-risk information, especially when considered with LDL and non-HDL cholesterol.

Test summary

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

What does the test measure?

Measures total cholesterol in the blood, reflecting cholesterol carried across LDL, HDL, and other lipoproteins.

Why is the test ordered?

Part of routine lipid screening and cardiovascular-risk assessment.

Information about a low result

Low total cholesterol is not usually interpreted as a stand-alone problem; nutrition, medicines, and health conditions can affect it.

Information about a high result

High total cholesterol may provide cardiovascular-risk information, especially when considered with LDL and non-HDL cholesterol.

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

< 200 mg/dL

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

Healthy adult level

The source uses <200 mg/dL as the threshold for this context. Individual risk and laboratory context still matter.

Reference context 2

< 170 mg/dL

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

Acceptable pediatric level

This <170 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

Total cholesterol alone is not sufficient for risk assessment; LDL, HDL, triglycerides, age, and other risk factors matter.

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
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