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The higher the non-HDL cholesterol level, the greater the risk of heart disease and stroke. Typical ranges of non-HDL vary by age. People need cholesterol for specific functions in the body, including building cells and making certain hormones and vitamins. However, excess cholesterol in the blood, especially “bad” cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, is detrimental to the body. Lipid profiles or lipid panels are blood tests that can measure a person’s cholesterol levels. They help doctors predict someone’s risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart disease. One important measure of “bad” cholesterol levels in the blood test result is non-HDL cholesterol. This article discusses non-HDL cholesterol, what it includes, and its typical range. It also explores other indicators that cholesterol tests involve and the levels that health experts consider healthy. What is non-HDL cholesterol Share on PinterestSolskin/Getty ImagesDoctors commonly measure non-HDL cholesterol levels in a lipid panel, also known as a cholesterol test. It covers all the “bad” types of cholesterol in the body by subtracting HDL, or “good” cholesterol, from a person’s total cholesterol. Many experts consider non-HDL a superior predictor of heart disease risk than LDL and cholesterol ratios because it encompasses LDL, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. What is the normal range The typical range of non-HDL cholesterol varies with age. Anyone aged 19 and younger should have under 120 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). Meanwhile, it should be under 130 mg/dl for anyone aged 20 years or older. The higher the non-HDL cholesterol, the higher the risk of heart disease. Learn more about high non-HDL cholesterol levels. How to calculate non-HDL cholesterol Not all lipid panel tests include the non-HDL cholesterol measurement. A doctor may request a lipid panel with non-HDL cholesterol if a person has a condition that puts them at a higher risk of heart disease. People can calculate their non-HDL cholesterol by using their test results and following the equation: total cholesterol – HDL = non-HDL. For example, if a person has a total cholesterol of 240 mg/dl and an HDL of 40, their non-HDL is 200 mg/dl. Learn more about cholesterol ratios and why they are important. What else do cholesterol tests measure Cholesterol tests usually report the following numbers and ratios:Total cholesterol (TC): This measures the total amount of cholesterol in the body, including HDL and LDL.HDL level: Health experts call HDL “good” cholesterol that helps clear fats from the bloodstream. The higher the level of HDL, the lower the person’s risk of heart disease. Learn more about HDL levels here.LDL level: Health experts call LDL “bad” cholesterol. It is the main cause of cholesterol buildup that blocks artery walls and causes atherosclerosis. Learn more about LDL here.VLDL level: VLDL mainly carries triglycerides away from the bloodstream into the body’s tissues. VLDL contributes to plaque buildup in the arteries. Learn more about VLDL here.Triglycerides: Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood that stores unused calories. Learn more about high triglycerides here.TC:HDL ratio: This ratio compares HDL in comparison with total cholesterol. Health experts consider scores above 5 as high.LDL-HDL ratio: Doctors commonly use this ratio to determine a person’s risk of heart disease. An individual can calculate this by dividing LDL by HDL. Health experts consider scores under 5 as healthy.Triglyceride-HDL ratio: Another ratio that can help indicate a person’s risk of developing coronary artery disease. People can calculate this by dividing their triglyceride number by their HDL result. What is a healthy cholesterol level The table below shows the expected healthy cholesterol level based on age and gender according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).Type of cholesterolAnyone aged 19 or youngerMales aged 20 or overFemales aged 20 or overTotal cholesterolless than 170 mg/dl125–200 mg/dl125–200 mg/dlnon-HDLless than 120 mg/dlless than 130 mg/dlless than 130 mg/dlLDLless than 100 mg/dlless than 100 mg/dlless than 100 mg/dlHDLmore than 45 mg/dl40 mg/dl or higher50 mg/dl or higher However, a doctor may have different cholesterol target goals for individuals with an existing or high risk of heart disease. Meanwhile, the desirable total cholesterol to HDL ratio is 5:1, but the ideal ratio is 3.5 to 1. A 2019 study shows that doctors can use the TC:HDL ratio to identify people at risk of early acute myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack. Learn more about healthy cholesterol levels here. When to speak with a doctor High cholesterol level does not cause symptoms. A person can only determine if they have high cholesterol if they take a lipid profile test. Experts recommend individuals undergo regular screening to keep their cholesterol levels in check. They state that:individuals aged 9–11 should undergo screening every 5 yearsmales aged 45–65 and females aged 55–65 should undergo screening every 1–2 yearspeople older than 65 years should undergo annual screening They may also ask individuals at risk of heart disease to have their levels checked more often. These include those with:heart diseasehigh cholesteroldiabeteshigh blood pressureobesity A person whose cholesterol results fall outside typical ranges should talk with their doctor. Aside from lifestyle changes, healthcare professionals may recommend regular screening to monitor their cholesterol levels and determine the need for medications. Summary Cholesterol readings are generally helpful in providing an overview of a person’s general health. However, many experts find non-HDL cholesterol to be a more reliable measure of someone’s heart disease risk. A person with high levels of non-HDL cholesterol or undesirable cholesterol levels should talk with their doctors, who can help them reach or maintain healthy cholesterol levels. This may involve making lifestyle changes and, in some cases, prescription medications. Last medically reviewed on July 28, 2022CholesterolHeart DiseaseStroke 7 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Abdullah, S. M., et al. (2018). Long-term association of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with cardiovascular mortality in individuals at low 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.034273Bailey, A. (2021). Biochemistry, high density lipoprotein medical reference.https://www.statpearls.com/articlelibrary/viewarticle/22879Blood cholesterol. (2022).https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/blood-cholesterol/diagnosisCalling, S., et al. (2019). The ratio of total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein cholesterol and myocardial infarction in women's health in the Lund area (WHILA): A 17-year follow-up cohort study.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6821014/Cholesterol levels: What you need to know. (2020).https://medlineplus.gov/cholesterollevelswhatyouneedtoknow.htmlLee, Y., et al. (2021). Cholesterol levels.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542294/Sun, C. J, et al. (2020). Calculated non-HDL cholesterol includes cholesterol in larger triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in hypertriglyceridemia.https://academic.oup.com/jes/article/4/1/bvz010/5611217FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN — By Rachel Ann Tee-Melegrito on July 28, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat are high non-HDL cholesterol levels, and what do they mean?Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN If a person has high non-HDL cholesterol levels, they have more harmful cholesterol in their body. Learn about high non-HDL cholesterol here. READ MORECholesterol ratio: How does it affect your body, and is it important?Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN There are two types of cholesterol. One is harmful, and builds up in the arteries, but the other can actually benefit the body. In this MNT Knowledge…READ MORE