Lipid Panel

Cholesterol, Total

Q: What is the normal range for Cholesterol, Total?

The standard teaching reference range for Cholesterol, Total is < 200 desirable mg/dL in conventional units, or < 5.2 desirable mmol/L in SI units. This value is measured in serum (fasting preferred). Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.

Q: What causes a high Cholesterol, Total?

Common causes of a high Cholesterol, Total: Diet high in saturated fat; Familial hypercholesterolemia; Hypothyroidism; Nephrotic syndrome.

Q: What causes a low Cholesterol, Total?

Common causes of a low Cholesterol, Total: Malnutrition; Hyperthyroidism; Liver failure.

Normal range < 200 desirable mg/dL (< 5.2 desirable mmol/L SI). Specimen: Serum (fasting preferred).

Also known as: total cholesterol.

< 200 desirable mg/dLReference range

Reference range

This result is reported qualitatively or as a one-sided threshold rather than a two-sided numeric band.

Combined adult band. LabVals does not publish separate men's, women's, or pediatric ranges for Cholesterol, Total; those can be narrower than the band shown.

Cholesterol, Total reference range, specimen, and conversion details
Specimen	Serum (fasting preferred)
Conventional range	< 200 desirable mg/dL
SI range	< 5.2 desirable mmol/L
Conversion factor	×0.0259 (conventional → SI)
Panel	Lipid Panel

Convert any Cholesterol, Total result between units on the unit converter.

What is the normal range for Cholesterol, Total?

The standard teaching reference range for Cholesterol, Total is < 200 desirable mg/dL in conventional units, or < 5.2 desirable mmol/L in SI units. This value is measured in serum (fasting preferred).

Source: Adult reference values compiled from Pagana & Pagana, Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference, and Fischbach & Dunning, A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.

Above the range

What causes a high Cholesterol, Total?

Diet high in saturated fat
Familial hypercholesterolemia
Hypothyroidism
Nephrotic syndrome

What causes a high Cholesterol, Total? Read as its own page

Below the range

What causes a low Cholesterol, Total?

Malnutrition
Hyperthyroidism
Liver failure

What causes a low Cholesterol, Total? Read as its own page

At the bedside

Nursing considerations

Desirable < 200, borderline 200-239, high ≥ 240 mg/dL.
Interpret with LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, not alone.

PremiumDrill the Lipid Panel deck

You have the Cholesterol, Total range. Premium unlocks the 5-card Lipid Panel flashcard deck with mastery tracking, study sheets that put several panels on one printable page, and unlimited practice across all 440 quiz questions - the free round stops at 10 a day.

See Premium plans Free: the whole Lipid Panel panel

Same panel

More Lipid Panel tests

HDL Cholesterol≥ 40 (higher is protective) mg/dL LDL Cholesterol< 100 optimal mg/dL Triglycerides< 150 normal mg/dL VLDL Cholesterol2-30 mg/dL