Cholesterol, total
Heart healthThe overall amount of cholesterol in your bloodstream.
High levels can increase risk of heart disease.
Reference range
Source: lab benchmark
Reference ranges may vary between labs and assays. Always interpret results with your healthcare provider. · LOINC code: 2093-3
Why this matters
Although cholesterol is necessary, elevated total cholesterol increases long-term cardiovascular risk by contributing to plaque buildup in arteries. High cholesterol typically causes no symptoms until it leads to significant artery blockage, which can result in heart attack or stroke. The optimal range depends on your overall risk profile, but lower levels are generally better for heart health. Lifestyle factors such as diet, regular physical activity, maintaining healthy weight, avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol, as well as genetics and medications, can all influence cholesterol levels.
Regular monitoring helps detect early cardiovascular risk and prevent the silent buildup of arterial plaques.
How this connects to other biomarkers
- Total cholesterol rising with TSH indicates hypothyroidism as the cause, meaning thyroid treatment may normalize cholesterol without statins.
- High cholesterol with normal ApoB suggests large, less dangerous particles, indicating lower cardiovascular risk than the cholesterol number implies.
Included in
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