Below the range
Common causes of a low HDL Cholesterol
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Type 2 diabetes / metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
Looking for the other direction? See what causes a high HDL Cholesterol.
All tests · Lipid Panel · HDL Cholesterol
Below the range
What causes a low HDL Cholesterol?
Normal range ≥ 40 (higher is protective) mg/dL (≥ 1.0 mmol/L SI). Specimen: Serum. See the full HDL Cholesterol reference page for critical values and nursing considerations.
What is the normal range for HDL Cholesterol?
The standard teaching reference range for HDL Cholesterol is ≥ 40 (higher is protective) mg/dL in conventional units, or ≥ 1.0 mmol/L in SI units. This value is measured in serum.
| Specimen | Serum |
|---|---|
| Conventional range | ≥ 40 (higher is protective) mg/dL |
| SI range | ≥ 1.0 mmol/L |
| Panel | Lipid Panel |
Full details, including nursing considerations, on the HDL Cholesterol normal range page. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.
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