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Lipid profile test report: cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides explained
A lipid profile measures the fats carried in your blood. It is one of the main tests doctors use to judge heart and blood-vessel risk, together with your age, blood pressure, blood sugar and smoking.
What each value means
| On your report | What it measures | Typical adult range |
|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | All cholesterol in the blood | Desirable below 200 mg/dL |
| LDL cholesterol | "Bad" cholesterol that can build up in arteries | Optimal below 100 mg/dL |
| HDL cholesterol | "Good" cholesterol that carries it away | Above 40 mg/dL in men, above 50 mg/dL in women |
| Triglycerides | Fats from food and stored energy | Normal below 150 mg/dL |
| VLDL | A carrier of triglycerides | Below 30 mg/dL |
| Non-HDL cholesterol | Total cholesterol minus HDL | Below 130 mg/dL |
Ranges differ between laboratories, machines, age groups and in pregnancy. The range printed on your own report is the one that applies to you.
Targets depend on your risk
These cut-offs are for people without heart disease or diabetes. If you have either, or other risk factors, your doctor may aim for a much lower LDL. Many South Asians have low HDL and high triglycerides together, a pattern doctors pay attention to.
Fasting and timing
Many labs still ask for 10–12 hours of fasting, mainly because triglycerides rise after a meal. A heavy or fatty meal the night before, alcohol and recent illness can all push results up, so a single high value is often repeated.
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Read my reportCommon questions
What is a normal cholesterol level?
A total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL is usually called desirable, with LDL below 100 mg/dL and HDL above 40 (men) or 50 (women). Your doctor may set different targets for you.
Is fasting needed for a lipid profile?
Many Indian labs ask for 10–12 hours of fasting. Follow your lab's instructions so the result can be compared with earlier ones.
Is high HDL good?
Usually higher HDL is considered better, but very high values are not automatically protective. Your doctor looks at the whole profile.
Other lab test guides
Complete blood count (CBC) · Thyroid profile (TSH, T3, T4) · Liver function test (LFT) · Kidney function test (KFT / RFT) · HbA1c and blood sugar tests · Vitamin D and vitamin B12 tests
This guide is general information for adults, not medical advice and not a diagnosis. Only a qualified doctor can interpret your results. Updated 2026-10-06. See the medical disclaimer.